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The Holy Spirit is making clear that the way into the Holy Place had not yet appeared as long as the old tabernacle[a] was standing. This was a symbol for the time then present, when gifts and sacrifices were offered that could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper. 10 They served only for matters of food and drink[b] and various ritual washings; they are external regulations[c] imposed until the new order came.[d]

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 9:8 tn Grk “the first tent.” The literal phrase “the first tent” refers to either (1) the outer chamber of the tabernacle in the wilderness (as in vv. 2, 6) or (2) the entire tabernacle as a symbol of the OT system of approaching God. The second is more likely given the contrast that follows in vv. 11-12.
  2. Hebrews 9:10 tn Grk “only for foods and drinks.”
  3. Hebrews 9:10 tc Most witnesses (D1 M) have “various washings, and external regulations” (βαπτισμοῖς καὶ δικαιώμασιν, baptismois kai dikaiōmasin), with both nouns in the dative. The translation “washings; they are…regulations” renders βαπτισμοῖς, δικαιώματα (baptismois, dikaiōmata; found in such significant mss as P46 א* A I P 0278 33 1739 1881 al sa) in which case δικαιώματα is taken as the nominative subject of the participle ἐπικείμενα (epikeimena). It seems far more likely that scribes would conform δικαιώματα to the immediately preceding datives and join it to them by καί than they would to the following nominative participle. Both on external and internal evidence the text is thus secure as reading βαπτισμοῖς, δικαιώματα.
  4. Hebrews 9:10 tn Grk “until the time of setting things right.”

The Holy Spirit was showing(A) by this that the way(B) into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration(C) for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered(D) were not able to clear the conscience(E) of the worshiper. 10 They are only a matter of food(F) and drink(G) and various ceremonial washings(H)—external regulations(I) applying until the time of the new order.

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