Hebrews 9:21

21 He did the same thing with the place of worship and its furniture.

Hebrews 9:21 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 9:21

Moreover, he sprinkled likewise both the tabernacle
Not at the same time that he sprinkled the book and the people, for then there was no tabernacle; but afterwards, at the time that it was set up, when it was anointed with oil, ( Exodus 40:9 ) and though no mention is there made of blood, yet Josephus, in agreement with the apostle, asserts ^F9, that the tabernacle, and its vessels, were not only anointed with oil, but sprinkled with the blood of bulls and goats, as well as the garments of Aaron, and his sons: the tabernacle was typical of the church, in which God dwells, being purified and cleansed by the blood of Christ; and this shows, that there is no coming into the presence of God, the place where he dwells, without blood.

And all the vessels of the ministry;
which were used in the service of the tabernacle these may denote the vessels of grace and mercy, the elect of God, whose hearts are sprinkled by the blood of Christ from an evil conscience, and whose garments are washed in it, and made white by it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 Antiq. l. 3. c. 8. sect. 6.

Hebrews 9:21 In-Context

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.

23 That accounts for the prominence of blood and death in all these secondary practices that point to the realities of heaven. It also accounts for why, when the real thing takes place, these animal sacrifices aren't needed anymore, having served their purpose.