Hebrews 9 — Verse 11 (Introduction)

To this verse the account of the Levitical Priesthood, its sanctuary and services is continued. Among them the service of the High Priest in the most Holy Place on the day of expiation was principally designed: for this was looked on and trusted to by the Hebrews, as the principal glory of their worship, and of the greatest efficacy as to atonement and reconciliation with God. And so it was in its proper place. Hence they have a saying yet common among them, that on the day of expiation, when the High Priest entered into the most Holy Place, all Israel were made as innocent as in the day of creation. In what sense it neither was nor could be so shall be declared on chap. 10. ver. 1, 2, 3. But in these things the glory of the administration of the old Covenant did consist, which the Apostle allows to it in his demonstration of the excellency of the new above it. Therefore this ministry of the High Priest on that day he has an especial respect to, in the account he gives of the Priesthood of Christ and its administration.

But yet although he has a principal regard hereunto, yet he does not respect it only and singly. The whole description of the sanctuary and its services he also regards in the comparison he intends between the Lord Christ in his office, and these things. In him, his office, sanctuary and sacrifice does the excellency and efficacy of the new Covenant consist, in opposition to all those of the like kind under the Law. The want of a due observation hereof has lead some expositors into mistakes: for they would confine all that he says to a correspondency with what was done on that solemn day by the High Priest; whereas he does also expressly declare that the truth, reality and substance of the Tabernacle, all its utensils, its services and sacrifices were to be found in him alone: for to this end does he give us such a description of them all in particular.

But as was said, that which he principally respects in the comparison he makes between the type and the antitype, is the High Priest and his especial service in the most Holy Place, which he makes an entrance into in this verse.

[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Vul. Assistens; assisting; Syr. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] who cometh; adveniens; coming.

[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], Syr. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] was an High Priest, or was made an High Priest; whereunto it adds, instead of good things to come, of the good things which he has wrought.

[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. Vul. Lat. per amplius & perfectius Tabernaculum; barbarously for majus, et praestantius. Syr. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] And he entered into that great and perfect Tabernacle.

[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. Vul. Lat. non hujus Creationis. Syr. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] or from among these creatures. most, hujus structurae, of this building.