Hebrews 9:20

20 And then he attested its validity with the words, "This is the blood of the covenant commanded by God."

Hebrews 9:20 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 9:20

Saying, this is the blood of the testament
The first testament or covenant; this proves what the apostle had asserted in ( Hebrews 9:18 ) that it was dedicated with blood, or confirmed by it; compare with this ( Matthew 26:28 )

which God hath enjoined unto you;
the people of Israel, to observe, and which they promised to do; see ( Exodus 24:7 Exodus 24:8 ) .

Hebrews 9:20 In-Context

18 Even the first plan required a death to set it in motion.
19 After Moses had read out all the terms of the plan of the law - God's "will" - he took the blood of sacrificed animals and, in a solemn ritual, sprinkled the document and the people who were its beneficiaries.
20 And then he attested its validity with the words, "This is the blood of the covenant commanded by God."
21 He did the same thing with the place of worship and its furniture.
22 Moses said to the people, "This is the blood of the covenant God has established with you." Practically everything in a will hinges on a death. That's why blood, the evidence of death, is used so much in our tradition, especially regarding forgiveness of sins.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.