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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Heb_9:1-5
1Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. 2For there was a tabernacle prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the sacred bread; this is called the holy place. 3Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, 4having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron's rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; but of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
9:1 "the first" The regulations for sacrifice and worship connected with the tabernacle are in Leviticus.
▣ "covenant" This is not in the Greek text. Most English translations assume it. However, H. E. Dana, in his Jewish Christianity, p. 255, believes that it should be translated "first ministry" because chapter 9 is presenting another evidence of Christ's superior ministry (cf. Heb_8:6). He also charts the comparison on p. 255.
"of this world."
Human equipment—
"there was a tabernacle constructed."
External effects—
"cannot as touching the
conscience make the
worshiped perfect."
Temporary in nature—
"carnal regulations set
up pending a time of
construction."
"not of this creation."
Divine equipment—
"not made with hands."
Internal effects—
"cleanse your conscience
from dead works to serve
the living God."
Permanent in nature—
"the promise of the eternal
inheritance."
▣ "the lampstand" This refers to one lamp with seven containers burning olive oil, located in the holy place. It is referred to in Exo_25:31-40 and Lev_24:1-4. It was called the Menorah, which is the Hebrew term for "lampstand." Solomon expanded the lamp to ten arms (cf. 1Ki_7:49; 2Ch_4:7). It symbolizes the light of truth and revelation.
▣ "table and the sacred bread" This was a table located in the holy place holding twelve large (15 lb.) loaves of bread. They were replaced weekly and became food for the Priests (cf. Exo_25:23-30; Exo_37:10-16; Lev_24:5-9). They represented God's promised physical provision for the twelve tribes of Jacob.
▣ "the holy place" This is the outer room of the tent in which the priests ministered daily. It measured 20 cubits by 10 cubits (cf. Exodus 25-27). The author of Hebrews usually uses this term (hagia) with the article (cf. Heb_9:8; Heb_9:25; Heb_13:11) and uses it for the inner or second part of the sacred tent called the Holy of Holies (cf. Heb_9:3) where the Ark was placed, but in this verse the article is absent and the term refers to the outer two-thirds of the sacred tent, called the holy place.
Heb_9:3 "second veil" This divided the tent into two compartments (cf. Exo_26:31-35). The Hebrews had two special names, one for the front curtain, which was usually partly open, and one for the inner curtain, which was never open. Only the high priest entered (twice) on the Day of Atonement (cf. Leviticus 16).
▣ "the Holy of Holies" It was a perfect cube of 10 cubits. It contained the ark where YHWH symbolically dwelt between the wings of the cherubim. This ark was the physical symbol of the invisible God (after they entered the Promised Land).
Heb_9:4 "golden altar of incense" This was an altar-shaped piece of furniture where incense was placed in large quantities on the Day of Atonement to produce thick smoke which concealed YHWH's presence over the ark. Our author seems to place it inside the Holy of Holies. This has caused commentators to take this phrase to refer to a "censer" because this is how the Septuagint translates this term (cf. Lev_16:12; 2Ch_26:19; Eze_8:11; 4Ma_7:11). However, Philo and Josephus use the same Greek word for the incense altar. In the OT the altar is closely identified with the Holy of Holies (cf. Exo_30:1-10; Exo_30:37; but especially 1Ki_6:22).
Coals were taken from the great sacrificial altar at the door of the tabernacle and placed on this small stand. Incense was then placed on the coals to produce a large amount of smoke. This wonderful smelling smoke obscured the high priest's eyes from seeing YHWH, who dwelt over the ark of the covenant between the wings of the cherubim, in the Holy of Holies.
▣ "the ark of the covenant" The ark is described in Exo_25:10-22; Exo_37:1-9.
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▣ "a golden jar holding manna" The Septuagint and Philo have the adjective "golden," but the Masoretic Hebrew Text does not (cf. Exo_16:31-36). Josephus says it held 4 pints. It was a miracle that the manna did not rot (cf. Exo_16:18-25).
▣ "Aaron's rod which budded" This rod was YHWH's sign of confirming the leadership of Moses and Aaron during Korah's rebellion (cf. Num_17:1-11; Num_20:8-11).
▣ "the tables of the covenant" This refers to the two stone tablets with the decalog (ten words) written on them by the finger of God (cf. Exo_25:16; Deu_9:9; Deu_9:11; Deu_9:15; Deu_10:3-5; Deu_31:18; Deu_32:15). The book of Deuteronomy and Joshua 24 follow the treaty pattern of the Hittites (of the second millennium b.c.). Their covenants always had two copies, one for the vassal king to read yearly and one for the sanctuary of the deity. Therefore, the two stone tablets may have been duplicate copies.
Heb_9:5 "the cherubim of glory" This refers to the two angelic creatures on each end of the mercy seat (lid), whose wings overshadowed the ark (cf. Gen_3:24; Exo_25:18-22; Eze_10:14, but note that in Eze_41:18 they have two faces, not four). A new possibility from a History Channel video, "Decoding the Exodus" asserts that they were phoenixes. The Bible does not reveal much information about the angelic world. Our curiosity often runs far ahead of revealed truth. For the term "glory" see note at Heb_1:3.
▣ "mercy seat" This refers to the golden lid of the wooden box called "the ark of the covenant." It was a special place for "covering" sins. The symbolism seems to be
1. YHWH dwelt between the wings of the two angelic creatures (the rabbis said this was His footstool)
2. the box contained the "ten words" (decalog)
3. the high priest, on the Day of Atonement (cf. Leviticus 16), went into the Holy of Holies twice to place blood on the mercy seat, once for his own sin and once for the non-premeditated sins of the nations as a whole (cf. Heb_9:7)
The requirements of the Law were covered, obscured from YHWH's eyes by the sacrificial blood of an unblemished animal (life is in the blood; sin requires a life).
▣ "but of these things we cannot now speak in detail" This is a disclaimer. Our author uses details from the ancient tabernacle that are now unknown.