Hebrews 9 4

Hebrews 9:4 kjv

Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

Hebrews 9:4 nkjv

which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;

Hebrews 9:4 niv

which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Hebrews 9:4 esv

having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.

Hebrews 9:4 nlt

In that room were a gold incense altar and a wooden chest called the Ark of the Covenant, which was covered with gold on all sides. Inside the Ark were a gold jar containing manna, Aaron's staff that sprouted leaves, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Hebrews 9 verses

Hebrews 9 4 Meaning

Hebrews 9:4 describes key sacred artifacts located within the most holy compartment of the first tabernacle, the earthly sanctuary established under the Old Covenant. It identifies the golden censer (or altar of incense, as per some interpretations), and most prominently, the Ark of the Covenant. Inside this Ark were kept three crucial items: a golden pot containing manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments. These objects symbolized God's presence, covenant, provision, authority, and judgment, pointing towards spiritual realities fulfilled in Christ.

Hebrews 9 4 Context

Hebrews chapter 9 commences by describing the structure and furnishings of the earthly tabernacle, differentiating between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. Verses 1-5 lay out the elements of the "first covenant," specifically detailing the objects within these sacred compartments. Verse 4 meticulously lists the contents associated with the innermost sanctuary, the Most Holy Place (also known as the Holy of Holies). This detailed description sets the stage for the author's primary argument in the subsequent verses (9:6ff): to demonstrate the limitations of the old covenant rituals and sacrifices. The emphasis is on the limited access to God under the Old Covenant (only the high priest, once a year, into the Most Holy Place), thereby highlighting the perfection, permanency, and direct access offered through the superior priesthood and singular, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who has entered the true, heavenly sanctuary.

Hebrews 9 4 Word analysis

• which had: This refers back to "the first tabernacle" (Heb 9:1), specifically detailing the furnishings of its innermost section. It underscores that these items were intrinsic to the Old Covenant's worship system.
• the golden censer (Greek: thymiamaterion): This word can denote either a portable censer for burning incense (used on the Day of Atonement as per Lev 16:12) or the permanent altar of incense itself. The latter was technically located in the Holy Place, outside the veil, though still golden. Given its listing alongside items inside the Ark of the Covenant, many scholars interpret thymiamaterion here as the censer that the High Priest carried into the Most Holy Place on Yom Kippur, filled with coals and incense, so that a cloud of incense would cover the mercy seat. This emphasizes the solemn ritual of atonement and God's awe-inspiring presence.
• and the ark of the covenant (Greek: kibotos tes diathekes): This was the central and most sacred object in the tabernacle, representing God's throne on earth and the very essence of His covenant relationship with Israel. "Ark" signifies a chest or box; "covenant" refers to God's solemn agreement with His people, specifically the Mosaic Law.
• overlaid round about with gold: This highlights the Ark's immense value, sanctity, and divine purity. Gold often symbolizes divinity, holiness, and preciousness in biblical symbolism.
• wherein: This crucial word indicates that the following items were located inside the Ark itself. This specific detail presents a textual nuance compared to some Old Testament accounts (e.g., 1 Kin 8:9 and earlier passages like Exod 16:34, Num 17:10 which might imply the manna and rod were placed "before" or "beside" the Ark rather than within it). The author of Hebrews may be reflecting a different textual tradition, a popular rabbinic tradition, or considering them functionally "in" the Ark due to their sacred association and close proximity to the tablets within it. This detail doesn't contradict the theological argument; rather, it solidifies the Ark's identity as a comprehensive repository of covenant signs.
• the golden pot that had manna: A memorial of God's miraculous provision of bread from heaven during Israel's wilderness wanderings (Exod 16:32-34). "Golden" emphasizes its preciousness and divine significance. It pointed to God's sustenance and later to Christ as the true "Bread of Life" (Jn 6:35, 48-51).
• and Aaron's rod that budded: A testimony to God's confirmation of Aaron's chosen priesthood and the divine appointment of the Levitical lineage (Num 17:10). Its budding symbolized life triumphing over death and divine validation, foreshadowing Christ's resurrection and unique priestly authority.
• and the tables of the covenant: The two stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments by the finger of God (Exod 31:18, Deut 10:1-5). These represented the core of the Mosaic Law and the terms of the Old Covenant, being God's very words to His people and the foundation of their relationship with Him.

Hebrews 9 4 Bonus section

The details presented in Hebrews 9:4 regarding the contents of the Ark (manna, rod, and tablets inside) seem to reconcile different Old Testament accounts (e.g., Exod 16:34 and Num 17:10 place manna and rod "before the testimony" or "before the Lord" - often understood as beside the Ark, while 1 Kings 8:9 states only the tablets were inside during Solomon's time) by possibly drawing from a widely held intertestamental tradition, a more comprehensive understanding of "wherein" as denoting close association and primary significance, or referring to an earlier state of the Ark's contents. This underscores the theological focus of Hebrews – to interpret and apply the significance of the Old Covenant institutions in light of Christ, rather than merely providing an archaeological inventory. The meaning of these objects as pointers to Christ is paramount. For instance, the tablets of the covenant found their fulfillment not in external stone but in Christ, in whom God's law is perfectly lived out and truly written on the hearts of believers (Heb 8:10). Similarly, Christ is the true bread from heaven (John 6:35) and the eternal, unfading High Priest (Heb 7:24) of whom Aaron's budded rod was a mere foreshadowing.

Hebrews 9 4 Commentary

Hebrews 9:4 describes the central components of the Most Holy Place in the Mosaic Tabernacle, items representing the pinnacle of God's presence and revelation under the Old Covenant. The listing, starting with the golden censer (symbolic of prayer, access, and atonement ritual) and culminating in the Ark of the Covenant and its contents, emphasizes the absolute sanctity and inaccessibility of God's presence under the Law. The manna, rod, and tablets within the Ark collectively underscored God's faithful provision, divinely appointed authority, and the absolute demand of His covenant law. These objects, though profoundly sacred, were nevertheless physical representations of spiritual realities and inherent limitations. They pointed to a future reality: Christ. He is the ultimate High Priest, who, unlike the earthly high priest, needed no external censer for purification but entered the true heavenly sanctuary, not made with human hands, by means of His own perfect blood (Heb 9:11-12). Thus, this verse serves to meticulously detail the old covenant shadows before asserting the preeminence and perfect efficacy of Christ's work in establishing the New Covenant, granting direct and full access to God.