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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - Hebrews 9:10 - 9:10
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
The impotence of the gifts and sacrifices lay in the fact that they were only symbolic ordinances.
Which stood in (ἐπὶ)
The passage should be read thus: “according to which are offered gifts and sacrifices which cannot perfect the worshipper as touching the conscience, being mere ordinances of the flesh on the ground of (ἐπὶ resting upon) meats,” etc.
Meats and drinks and divers washings (βρώμασιν καὶ πόμασιν καὶ διαφόροις βαπτισμοῖς)
Βρώμασιν, clean and unclean meats. πόμασιν drinks, concerning which the Levitical law laid down no prescriptions except as to abstinence in the case of a Nazarite vow, and of the priests when they were about to officiate. See Num 6:3; Lev 10:9. For βαπτισμοῖς washings see on Heb 6:2.
And carnal ordinances (δικαιώματα σαρκὸς)
Omit and. The phrase is a general description of meats, etc. Lit. ordinances of the flesh.
Imposed (ἐπικείμενα)
Some interpreters find in this the suggestion of a burden, which these ceremonial observances assuredly were. Comp. Act 15:10. This, however, is not probable.
Until the time of reformation (μέχρι καιροῦ διορθώσεως)
Διόρθωσις N.T.o , olxx, occasionally in Class. Διόρθωμα correction, amendment, Act 24:2. Διόρθωσις lit. making straight: used by medical writers of straightening a distorted limb. The verb διορθοῦν (not in N.T.) in lxx of mending one's ways, Jer 7:3, Jer 7:5; Wisd. 9:18. Of setting up or establishing, Isa 16:5; Isa 42:7. “The time of reformation” is the Christian age, when God made with his people a better covenant. It was inaugurated by the death of Christ. See on Heb 1:2. The gifts and offerings were only provisional, to tide the people over to the better time.