Read & explore together
The Earthly Tabernacle
Hebrews 9:1 to 10 explains the layout and use of the earthly tabernacle, then shows what those arrangements meant. The passage moves from furniture and priestly duties to a larger point about access, conscience, and temporary regulations.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of Hebrews speaks about the first covenant, its worship rules, and its earthly sanctuary. The writer lists parts of the tabernacle and how priests served there, then explains that these arrangements pointed beyond themselves and had limits in what they could achieve.
Hebrews 9:1–10Main takeaway
Hebrews 9:1 to 10 teaches that the first tabernacle and its services were real and important, yet they also showed that full access and a cleansed conscience were not achieved through those arrangements alone.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The first covenant had worship rules and a sanctuaryThe passage begins by saying the first covenant included ordinances of divine service and an earthly sanctuary.
Explanation
The passage begins by saying the first covenant included ordinances of divine service and an earthly sanctuary. That means worship was ordered and structured. The sanctuary is called earthly, preparing readers to think about its place and limits within the writer’s teaching.
02The tabernacle had two named partsThe first part contained the lamp stand, the table, and the show bread, and it was called the Holy Place.
Explanation
The first part contained the lamp stand, the table, and the show bread, and it was called the Holy Place. After the second veil was the part called the Holy of Holies. The writer carefully names these spaces to show a pattern of nearness and separation.
03The inner place held covenant signsThe Holy of Holies is described with the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant, overlaid with gold.
Explanation
The Holy of Holies is described with the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant, overlaid with gold. Inside were the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. Above were cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, though the writer does not pause for further detail.
04Priests served differently in the two areasPriests continually entered the first tabernacle to carry out the services. The second area was different.
Explanation
Priests continually entered the first tabernacle to carry out the services. The second area was different. Only the high priest entered it, only once a year, and not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the errors of the people. Access was restricted and serious.
05The arrangement pointed to a present limitationThe Holy Spirit indicated that the way into the Holy Place was not yet revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing.
Explanation
The Holy Spirit indicated that the way into the Holy Place was not yet revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing. The gifts and sacrifices of that time could not make the worshiper perfect in conscience. They were fleshly ordinances, including foods, drinks, and washings, imposed until a time of reformation.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What items are named in the first part of the tabernacle, and what is that area called?
Look closely at the list in Hebrews 9:2 and notice that the verse also gives the name of that part.
02How does the passage describe the difference between the priests’ regular service and the high priest’s entry into the second area?
Compare the words continually, alone, once in the year, and not without blood to see the contrast.
03According to the writer, what could the gifts and sacrifices not do for the worshiper?
Focus on the phrase about the conscience and what these offerings were incapable of doing.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Hebrews 9:1–10
1Now indeed even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and an earthly sanctuary.
2For a tabernacle was prepared. In the first part were the lamp stand, the table, and the show bread, which is called the Holy Place.
3After the second veil was the tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies,
4having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which was a golden pot holding the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;
5and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, of which things we can’t speak now in detail.
6Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services,
7but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.
8The Holy Spirit is indicating this, that the way into the Holy Place wasn’t yet revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing.
9This is a symbol of the present age, where gifts and sacrifices are offered that are incapable, concerning the conscience, of making the worshiper perfect,
10being only (with foods and drinks and various washings) fleshly ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation.