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Hebrews 8-10
The Message
Hebrews 8-10
The Message
A New Plan with Israel
8 1-2 In essence, we have just such a high priest: authoritative right alongside God, conducting worship in the one true sanctuary built by God.
3-5 The assigned task of a high priest is to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and it’s no different with the priesthood of Jesus. If he were limited to earth, he wouldn’t even be a priest. We wouldn’t need him since there are plenty of priests who offer the gifts designated in the law. These priests provide only a hint of what goes on in the true sanctuary of heaven, which Moses caught a glimpse of as he was about to set up the tent-shrine. It was then that God said, “Be careful to do it exactly as you saw it on the Mountain.”
6-13 But Jesus’ priestly work far surpasses what these other priests do, since he’s working from a far better plan. If the first plan—the old covenant—had worked out, a second wouldn’t have been needed. But we know the first was found wanting, because God said,
Heads up! The days are coming
when I’ll set up a new plan
for dealing with Israel and Judah.
I’ll throw out the old plan
I set up with their ancestors
when I led them by the hand out of Egypt.
They didn’t keep their part of the bargain,
so I looked away and let it go.
This new plan I’m making with Israel
isn’t going to be written on paper,
isn’t going to be chiseled in stone;
This time I’m writing out the plan in them,
carving it on the lining of their hearts.
I’ll be their God,
they’ll be my people.
They won’t go to school to learn about me,
or buy a book called God in Five Easy Lessons.
They’ll all get to know me firsthand,
the little and the big, the small and the great.
They’ll get to know me by being kindly forgiven,
with the slate of their sins forever wiped clean.
By coming up with a new plan, a new covenant between God and his people, God put the old plan on the shelf. And there it stays, gathering dust.
A Visible Parable
9 1-5 That first plan contained directions for worship, and a specially designed place of worship. A large outer tent was set up. The lampstand, the table, and “the bread of presence” were placed in it. This was called “the Holy Place.” Then a curtain was stretched, and behind it a smaller, inside tent set up. This was called “the Holy of Holies.” In it were placed the gold incense altar and the gold-covered ark of the covenant containing the gold urn of manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, the covenant tablets, and the angel-wing-shadowed mercy seat. But we don’t have time to comment on these now.
6-10 After this was set up, the priests went about their duties in the large tent. Only the high priest entered the smaller, inside tent, and then only once a year, offering a blood sacrifice for his own sins and the people’s accumulated sins. This was the Holy Spirit’s way of showing with a visible parable that as long as the large tent stands, people can’t just walk in on God. Under this system, the gifts and sacrifices can’t really get to the heart of the matter, can’t assuage the conscience of the people, but are limited to matters of ritual and behavior. It’s essentially a temporary arrangement until a complete overhaul could be made.
Pointing to the Realities of Heaven
11-15 But when the Messiah arrived, high priest of the superior things of this new covenant, he bypassed the old tent and its trappings in this created world and went straight into heaven’s “tent”—the true Holy Place—once and for all. He also bypassed the sacrifices consisting of goat and calf blood, instead using his own blood as the price to set us free once and for all. If that animal blood and the other rituals of purification were effective in cleaning up certain matters of our religion and behavior, think how much more the blood of Christ cleans up our whole lives, inside and out. Through the Spirit, Christ offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice, freeing us from all those dead-end efforts to make ourselves respectable, so that we can live all out for God.
16-17 Like a will that takes effect when someone dies, the new covenant was put into action at Jesus’ death. His death marked the transition from the old plan to the new one, canceling the old obligations and accompanying sins, and summoning the heirs to receive the eternal inheritance that was promised them. He brought together God and his people in this new way.
18-22 Even the first plan required a death to set it in motion. 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. And then he attested its validity with the words, “This is the blood of the covenant commanded by God.” He did the same thing with the place of worship and its furniture. 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.
23-26 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. For Christ didn’t enter the earthly version of the Holy Place; he entered the Place Itself, and offered himself to God as the sacrifice for our sins. He doesn’t do this every year as the high priests did under the old plan with blood that was not their own; if that had been the case, he would have to sacrifice himself repeatedly throughout the course of history. But instead he sacrificed himself once and for all, summing up all the other sacrifices in this sacrifice of himself, the final solution of sin.
27-28 Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences. Christ’s death was also a one-time event, but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever. And so, when he next appears, the outcome for those eager to greet him is, precisely, salvation.
The Sacrifice of Jesus
10 1-10 The old plan was only a hint of the good things in the new plan. Since that old “law plan” wasn’t complete in itself, it couldn’t complete those who followed it. No matter how many sacrifices were offered year after year, they never added up to a complete solution. If they had, the worshipers would have gone blissfully on their way, no longer dragged down by their sins. But instead of removing awareness of sin, when those animal sacrifices were repeated over and over they actually heightened awareness and guilt. The plain fact is that bull and goat blood can’t get rid of sin. That is what is meant by this prophecy, put in the mouth of Christ:
You don’t want sacrifices and offerings year after year;
you’ve prepared a body for me for a sacrifice.
It’s not fragrance and smoke from the altar
that whet your appetite.
So I said, “I’m here to do it your way, O God,
the way it’s described in your Book.”
When he said, “You don’t want sacrifices and offerings,” he was referring to practices according to the old plan. When he added, “I’m here to do it your way,” he set aside the first in order to enact the new plan—God’s way—by which we are made fit for God by the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus.
11-18 Every priest goes to work at the altar each day, offers the same old sacrifices year in, year out, and never makes a dent in the sin problem. As a priest, Christ made a single sacrifice for sins, and that was it! Then he sat down right beside God and waited for his enemies to cave in. It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process. The Holy Spirit confirms this:
This new plan I’m making with Israel
isn’t going to be written on paper,
isn’t going to be chiseled in stone;
This time “I’m writing out the plan in them,
carving it on the lining of their hearts.”
He concludes,
I’ll forever wipe the slate clean of their sins.
Once sins are taken care of for good, there’s no longer any need to offer sacrifices for them.
Don’t Throw It All Away
19-21 So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into “the Holy Place.” Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The “curtain” into God’s presence is his body.
22-25 So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
26-31 If we give up and turn our backs on all we’ve learned, all we’ve been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ’s sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God’s Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit? This is no light matter. God has warned us that he’ll hold us to account and make us pay. He was quite explicit: “Vengeance is mine, and I won’t overlook a thing” and “God will judge his people.” Nobody’s getting by with anything, believe me.
32-39 Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn’t touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion.
It won’t be long now, he’s on the way;
he’ll show up most any minute.
But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust;
if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy.
But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.
Hebrews 8-10
New International Version
Hebrews 8-10
New International Version
The High Priest of a New Covenant
8 Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest,(A) who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,(B) 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle(C) set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.
3 Every high priest(D) is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices,(E) and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer.(F) 4 If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law.(G) 5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy(H) and shadow(I) of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned(J) when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”[a](K) 6 But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant(L) of which he is mediator(M) is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.
7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.(N) 8 But God found fault with the people and said[b]:
“The days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant(O)
with the people of Israel
and with the people of Judah.
9 It will not be like the covenant
I made with their ancestors(P)
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,
and I turned away from them,
declares the Lord.
10 This is the covenant(Q) I will establish with the people of Israel
after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
and write them on their hearts.(R)
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.(S)
11 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,(T)
from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.(U)”[c](V)
13 By calling this covenant “new,”(W) he has made the first one obsolete;(X) and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.
Worship in the Earthly Tabernacle
9 Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary.(Y) 2 A tabernacle(Z) was set up. In its first room were the lampstand(AA) and the table(AB) with its consecrated bread;(AC) this was called the Holy Place.(AD) 3 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,(AE) 4 which had the golden altar of incense(AF) and the gold-covered ark of the covenant.(AG) This ark contained the gold jar of manna,(AH) Aaron’s staff that had budded,(AI) and the stone tablets of the covenant.(AJ) 5 Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory,(AK) overshadowing the atonement cover.(AL) But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.
6 When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly(AM) into the outer room to carry on their ministry. 7 But only the high priest entered(AN) the inner room,(AO) and that only once a year,(AP) and never without blood,(AQ) which he offered for himself(AR) and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.(AS) 8 The Holy Spirit was showing(AT) by this that the way(AU) into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. 9 This is an illustration(AV) for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered(AW) were not able to clear the conscience(AX) of the worshiper. 10 They are only a matter of food(AY) and drink(AZ) and various ceremonial washings(BA)—external regulations(BB) applying until the time of the new order.
The Blood of Christ
11 But when Christ came as high priest(BC) of the good things that are now already here,[d](BD) he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle(BE) that is not made with human hands,(BF) that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves;(BG) but he entered the Most Holy Place(BH) once for all(BI) by his own blood,(BJ) thus obtaining[e] eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls(BK) and the ashes of a heifer(BL) sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit(BM) offered himself(BN) unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences(BO) from acts that lead to death,[f](BP) so that we may serve the living God!(BQ)
15 For this reason Christ is the mediator(BR) of a new covenant,(BS) that those who are called(BT) may receive the promised(BU) eternal inheritance(BV)—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.(BW)
16 In the case of a will,[g] it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.(BX) 19 When Moses had proclaimed(BY) every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves,(BZ) together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people.(CA) 20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”[h](CB) 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood,(CC) and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.(CD)
23 It was necessary, then, for the copies(CE) of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one;(CF) he entered heaven itself,(CG) now to appear for us in God’s presence.(CH) 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place(CI) every year with blood that is not his own.(CJ) 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world.(CK) But he has appeared(CL) once for all(CM) at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.(CN) 27 Just as people are destined to die once,(CO) and after that to face judgment,(CP) 28 so Christ was sacrificed once(CQ) to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time,(CR) not to bear sin,(CS) but to bring salvation(CT) to those who are waiting for him.(CU)
Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All
10 The law is only a shadow(CV) of the good things(CW) that are coming—not the realities themselves.(CX) For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect(CY) those who draw near to worship.(CZ) 2 Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins.(DA) 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins.(DB) 4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats(DC) to take away sins.(DD)
5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world,(DE) he said:
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;(DF)
6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll(DG)—
I have come to do your will, my God.’”[i](DH)
8 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”(DI)—though they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.”(DJ) He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy(DK) through the sacrifice of the body(DL) of Jesus Christ once for all.(DM)
11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices,(DN) which can never take away sins.(DO) 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins,(DP) he sat down at the right hand of God,(DQ) 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.(DR) 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect(DS) forever those who are being made holy.(DT)
15 The Holy Spirit also testifies(DU) to us about this. First he says:
16 “This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”[j](DV)
17 Then he adds:
18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.
A Call to Persevere in Faith
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence(DX) to enter the Most Holy Place(DY) by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way(DZ) opened for us through the curtain,(EA) that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest(EB) over the house of God,(EC) 22 let us draw near to God(ED) with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings,(EE) having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience(EF) and having our bodies washed with pure water.(EG) 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope(EH) we profess,(EI) for he who promised is faithful.(EJ) 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,(EK) 25 not giving up meeting together,(EL) as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another(EM)—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.(EN)
26 If we deliberately keep on sinning(EO) after we have received the knowledge of the truth,(EP) no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire(EQ) that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.(ER) 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God(ES) underfoot,(ET) who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant(EU) that sanctified them,(EV) and who has insulted the Spirit(EW) of grace?(EX) 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[l](EY) and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”[m](EZ) 31 It is a dreadful thing(FA) to fall into the hands(FB) of the living God.(FC)
32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light,(FD) when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.(FE) 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution;(FF) at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.(FG) 34 You suffered along with those in prison(FH) and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.(FI) 35 So do not throw away your confidence;(FJ) it will be richly rewarded.
36 You need to persevere(FK) so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.(FL) 37 For,
38 And,
“But my righteous[o] one will live by faith.(FO)
And I take no pleasure
in the one who shrinks back.”[p](FP)
39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 8:5 Exodus 25:40
- Hebrews 8:8 Some manuscripts may be translated fault and said to the people.
- Hebrews 8:12 Jer. 31:31-34
- Hebrews 9:11 Some early manuscripts are to come
- Hebrews 9:12 Or blood, having obtained
- Hebrews 9:14 Or from useless rituals
- Hebrews 9:16 Same Greek word as covenant; also in verse 17
- Hebrews 9:20 Exodus 24:8
- Hebrews 10:7 Psalm 40:6-8 (see Septuagint)
- Hebrews 10:16 Jer. 31:33
- Hebrews 10:17 Jer. 31:34
- Hebrews 10:30 Deut. 32:35
- Hebrews 10:30 Deut. 32:36; Psalm 135:14
- Hebrews 10:37 Isaiah 26:20; Hab. 2:3
- Hebrews 10:38 Some early manuscripts But the righteous
- Hebrews 10:38 Hab. 2:4 (see Septuagint)
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
New International Version (NIV) 
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