Hebrews 8

Hebrews 8:1-13 . CHRIST, THE HIGH PRIEST IN THE TRUE SANCTUARY, SUPERSEDING THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD; THE NEW RENDERS OBSOLETE THE OLD COVENANT.

1. the sum--rather, "the principal point"; for the participle is present, not past, which would be required if the meaning were "the sum." "The chief point in (or, 'in the case'; so the Greek, Hebrews 9:10 Hebrews 9:15 Hebrews 9:17 ) the things which we are speaking," literally, "which are being spoken."
such--so transcendently pre-eminent, namely in this respect, that "He is set on the right hand of," &c. Infinitely above all other priests in this one grand respect, He exercises His priesthood IN HEAVEN, not in the earthly "holiest place" ( Hebrews 10:12 ). The Levitical high priests, even when they entered the Holiest Place once a year, only STOOD for a brief space before the symbol of God's throne; but Jesus SITS on the throne of the Divine Majesty in the heaven itself, and this for ever ( Hebrews 10:11 Hebrews 10:12 ).

2. minister--The Greek term implies priestly ministry in the temple.
the sanctuary--Greek, "the holy places"; the Holy of Holies. Here the heavenly sanctuary is meant.
the true--the archetypal and antitypical, as contrasted with the typical and symbolical ( Hebrews 9:24 ). Greek "alethinos" (used here) is opposed to that which does not fulfil its idea, as for instance, a type; "alethes," to that which is untrue and unreal, as a lie. The measure of alethes is reality; that of alethinos, ideality. In alethes the idea corresponds to the thing; in alethinos, the thing to the idea [KALMIS in ALFORD].
tabernacle--( Hebrews 9:11 ). His body. Through His glorified body as the tabernacle, Christ passes into the heavenly "Holy of Holies," the immediate immaterial presence of God, where He intercedes for us. This tabernacle in which God dwells, is where God in Christ meets us who are "members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones." This tabernacle answers to the heavenly Jerusalem, where God's visible presence is to be manifested to His perfected saints and angels, who are united in Christ the Head; in contradistinction to His personal invisible presence in the Holy of Holies unapproachable save to Christ. John 1:14 , "Word . . . dwelt among us," Greek, "tabernacled."
pitched--Greek, "fixed" firmly.
not man--as Moses ( Hebrews 8:5 ).

3. For--assigning his reason for calling him "minister of the sanctuary" ( Hebrews 8:2 ).
somewhat--He does not offer again His once for all completed sacrifice. But as the high priest did not enter the Holy Place without blood, so Christ has entered the heavenly Holy Place with His own blood. That "blood of sprinkling" is in heaven. And is thence made effectual to sprinkle believers as the end of their election ( 1 Peter 1:2 ). The term "consecrate" as a priest, is literally, to fill the hand, implying that an offering is given into the hands of the priest, which it is his duty to present to God. If a man be a priest, he must have some gift in his hands to offer. Therefore, Christ, as a priest, has His blood as His oblation to offer before God.