Hebrews 9 9

Hebrews 9:9 kjv

Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

Hebrews 9:9 nkjv

It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience?

Hebrews 9:9 niv

This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.

Hebrews 9:9 esv

(which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper,

Hebrews 9:9 nlt

This is an illustration pointing to the present time. For the gifts and sacrifices that the priests offer are not able to cleanse the consciences of the people who bring them.

Hebrews 9 verses

Hebrews 9 9 Meaning

Hebrews 9:9 states that the earthly tabernacle, with its sacrifices and gifts, served as a symbolic representation (a "figure" or "parable") for the time then existing under the Old Covenant. It explains that the offerings made in that system were fundamentally limited because they could not make the worshiper perfect or cleanse their conscience. This means the ritualistic acts provided only external, ceremonial purification, but did not address the inner moral defilement or sense of guilt before God. The verse highlights the Old Covenant's temporary nature and inherent inadequacy in dealing with sin at a deeper, spiritual level, thus setting the stage for the New Covenant's superior provision.

Hebrews 9 9 Context

Hebrews 9:9 forms a crucial part of the author's extensive argument demonstrating the superiority of the New Covenant and Christ's sacrifice over the Old Covenant's priesthood, tabernacle, and sacrificial system. Following a detailed description of the tabernacle's layout and its restricted access in verses 1-8, verse 9 specifies the purpose and limitation of that "first tent" (the earthly tabernacle and its rituals). It clarifies that the previous system, while divinely ordained, was symbolic and provisional, designed for a specific period ("for the time then present"). The verse highlights the inability of the Old Covenant's sacrifices to purify the worshiper's conscience, thereby setting up the dramatic contrast with Christ's perfect and once-for-all sacrifice described from verse 11 onwards, which truly cleanses and perfects. The overarching context emphasizes Christ as the ultimate High Priest, sacrifice, and the inaugurator of a truly effective covenant.

Hebrews 9 9 Word analysis

• which was a figure: From the Greek ἥτις παραβολὴ (hētis parabolē). Parabolē means a parallel, type, analogy, or a shadow. It signifies that the tabernacle system was not the ultimate reality but served as an earthly, visible illustration or symbol pointing to a greater, heavenly truth.
• for the time then present: From εἰς τὸν καιρὸν τὸν ἐνεστηκότα (eis ton kairon ton enestēkota). Kairon refers to a specific, opportune, or appointed time, rather than a general period. Enestēkota means "present" or "standing in." This phrase stresses the temporary and provisional nature of the Old Covenant, emphasizing it had a definite lifespan and was active for a limited, current period before being fulfilled and superseded. It was never intended as a permanent solution.
• in which were offered: Refers to the continuous nature of the Levitical sacrifices within the tabernacle/temple system.
• both gifts and sacrifices: δῶρά τε καὶ θυσίαι (dōra te kai thysiai). "Gifts" often refers to bloodless offerings (grain, drink offerings, etc.), while "sacrifices" specifically denote blood offerings. This inclusive phrasing covers the full spectrum of required Levitical offerings.
• that could not make him who did the service perfect: μὴ δυνάμεναι κατὰ συνείδησιν τελειῶσαι τὸν λατρεύοντα (mē dynamenai kata syneidēsin teleiōsai ton latreuonta).
  • could not make perfect: μὴ δυνάμεναι ... τελειῶσαι (mē dynamenai... teleiōsai). Teleioō means to complete, bring to a goal, finish, or fully equip. Here, it denotes bringing the worshiper to a state of full acceptance or completeness before God, free from any remaining sense of guilt or defilement. The rituals had no intrinsic power to achieve this ultimate perfection.
  • him who did the service: τὸν λατρεύοντα (ton latreuonta). Refers to the worshiper, the one performing the sacred service or devotion. It highlights that the inability to perfect was a deficiency in the system as it pertained to the person presenting the offering, not just the offering itself.
• as pertaining to the conscience: κατὰ συνείδησιν (kata syneidēsin). Syneidēsis means the moral consciousness or inner awareness of right and wrong, the seat of guilt or purity. This is a critical distinction. The Old Covenant rituals could offer external, ceremonial purity (e.g., freedom from ritual impurity to re-enter the community), but they could not cleanse the deep-seated guilt or internal defilement from actual moral transgression in the conscience. This spiritual inadequacy of the old system demanded a more profound solution.

Hebrews 9 9 Bonus section

The concept of "perfection" (teleioō) is central to the Epistle to the Hebrews. It's often used in two primary senses: moral maturity/completion (e.g., Heb 5:14) and ceremonial completion or purification. In Hebrews 9:9 and related verses (Heb 7:19, 10:1), it primarily refers to the ceremonial perfection that makes one truly and utterly clean before God, granting full and unhindered access to His presence. The Old Testament sacrifices offered temporary and incomplete purity that needed constant repetition, leaving the conscience perpetually burdened by sin and guilt. This ongoing need for repetition was itself a sign of their limitation (Heb 10:1-2). The Old Covenant served to reveal the nature of sin and the need for atonement but could not achieve a complete and final inner cleansing. It pointed to Christ as the only means by which this perfection, particularly of the conscience, could be achieved, thus making way for boldness to enter the Most Holy Place by His blood (Heb 10:19).

Hebrews 9 9 Commentary

Hebrews 9:9 powerfully conveys the provisional and ultimately ineffective nature of the Old Covenant system in truly cleansing human sin. The tabernacle, with its extensive rituals and repeated animal sacrifices, served a crucial divine purpose in foreshadowing future realities but was never designed to be the final solution for humanity's deep-seated sin problem. It functioned as a "figure" or an illustrative parable for its temporary "present time." The key limitation emphasized is the inability of its offerings to "make perfect" the conscience of the worshiper. This perfection refers not to moral impeccability but to the completion of purification, an ultimate freedom from the sense of guilt and impurity before God. While the Old Covenant sacrifices provided ceremonial cleanness and ritual atonement, they could not touch the inner, moral awareness—the conscience—which continued to bear the burden of actual sin. This spiritual impotence of the old covenant necessitated the arrival of Christ, whose singular and superior sacrifice would ultimately and perfectly address the issue of conscience, offering genuine and lasting inner purification through His shed blood.