Hebrews 9:9
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New International Version (©1984)
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.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience,

International Standard Version (©2008)
This illustration for today indicates that the gifts and sacrifices being offered could not clear the conscience of a worshiper,

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
The first part of the tent is an example for the present time. The gifts and sacrifices that were brought there could not give the worshiper a clear conscience.

King James Bible
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;

American King James Version
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;

American Standard Version
which is a figure for the time present; according to which are offered both gifts and sacrifices that cannot, as touching the conscience, make the worshipper perfect,

Bible in Basic English
And this is an image of the present time; when the offerings which are given are not able to make the heart of the worshipper completely clean,

Douay-Rheims Bible
Which is a parable of the time present: according to which gifts and sacrifices are offered, which can not, as to the conscience, make him perfect that serveth, only in meats and in drinks,

Darby Bible Translation
the which is an image for the present time, according to which both gifts and sacrifices, unable to perfect as to conscience him that worshipped, are offered,

English Revised Version
which is a parable for the time now present; according to which are offered both gifts and sacrifices that cannot, as touching the conscience, make the worshipper perfect,

Webster's Bible Translation
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;

Weymouth New Testament
And this is a figure--for the time now present--answering to which both gifts and sacrifices are offered, unable though they are to give complete freedom from sin to him who ministers.

World English Bible
which is a symbol of the present age, where gifts and sacrifices are offered that are incapable, concerning the conscience, of making the worshipper perfect;

Young's Literal Translation
which is a simile in regard to the present time, in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered, which are not able, in regard to conscience, to make perfect him who is serving,

Geneva Study Bible

{4} Which was a figure {f} 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;

(4) An objection: If the way to heaven was not opened by those sacrifices (that is to say, if the worshippers were not purged by them) why then were those ceremonies used? That is, that men might be called back to that spiritual example, that is to say, to Christ who would correct all those things at his coming.

(f) For that time that that figure had to last.

People's New Testament

9:9 Which was a figure. The Jewish rites were not the true and complete divine service, but only figures, types.

Both gifts and sacrifices were symbols. Nor could they make the worshiper

perfect as pertaining to the conscience. They could not cleanse him from all sin, deliver him from all fear, and make his conscience clear. They were not perfect sacrifices but pointed to the perfect sacrifice. The Jewish sacrifices only removed ceremonial impurities and sins of ignorance.

Wesley's Notes

9:9 Which - Tabernacle, with all its furniture and services. Is a figure - Or type, of good things to come Which cannot perfect the worshipper - Neither the priest nor him who brought the offering. As to his conscience - So that he should be no longer conscious of the guilt or power of sin. Observe, the temple was as yet standing.

Scofield Reference Notes

Margin perfect

See Scofield Note: "Mt 5:48".

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

9. Which-"The which," namely, anterior tabernacle: "as being that which was" [Alford].

figure-Greek, "parable": a parabolic setting forth of the character of the Old Testament.

for-"in reference to the existing time." The time of the temple-worship really belonged to the Old Testament, but continued still in Paul's time and that of his Hebrew readers. "The time of reformation" (Heb 9:10) stands in contrast to this, "the existing time"; though, in reality, "the time of reformation," the New Testament time, was now present and existing. So "the age to come," is the phrase applied to the Gospel, because it was present only to believers, and its fulness even to them is still to come. Compare Heb 9:11, "good things to come."

in which-tabernacle, not time, according to the reading of the oldest manuscripts. Or translate, "according to which" parabolic representation, or figure.

were-Greek, "are."

gifts-unbloody oblations.

could not-Greek, "cannot": are not able.

him that did the service-any worshipper. The Greek is "latreuein," serve God, which is all men's duty; not "leitourgein," to serve in a ministerial office.

make . perfect-perfectly remove the sense of guilt, and sanctify inwardly through love.

as pertaining to the conscience-"in respect to the (moral-religious) consciousness." They can only reach as far as the outward flesh (compare "carnal ordinances," Heb 9:10, 13, 14).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

9:6-10 The apostle goes on to speak of the Old Testament services. Christ, having undertaken to be our High Priest, could not enter into heaven till he had shed his blood for us; and none of us can enter, either into God's gracious presence here, or his glorious presence hereafter, but by the blood of Jesus. Sins are errors, great errors, both in judgment and practice; and who can understand all his errors? They leave guilt upon the conscience, not to be washed away but by the blood of Christ. We must plead this blood on earth, while he is pleading it for us in heaven. A few believers, under the Divine teaching, saw something of the way of access to God, of communion with him, and of admission into heaven through the promised Redeemer, but the Israelites in general looked no further than the outward forms. These could not take away the defilement or dominion of sin. They could neither discharge the debts, nor resolve the doubts, of him who did the service. Gospel times are, and should be, times of reformation, of clearer light as to all things needful to be known, and of greater love, causing us to bear ill-will to none, but good-will to all. We have greater freedom, both of spirit and speech, in the gospel, and greater obligations to a more holy living.


Hebrews 5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins;
Hebrews 7:19 (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. (NASB ©1995)

Able Accordingly Age Arrangement Clean Complete Completely Conscience Figure Freedom Gifts Heart Illustration Image Incapable Indicating Making Ministers Offered Offerings Perfect Pertaining Present Sacrifices Service Sin Symbol Time Unable Worshiper Worshipper


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;

a figure. 24 11:19 Ro 5:14 1Pe 3:21

the time. 7:11 11:39,40 1Pe 1:11,12

gifts. See on ch. 5:1

that could. 13,14 7:18,19 10:1-4,11 Ps 40:6,7 Ga 3:21

as pertaining. Ps 51:16-19

Bible Gateway: Hebrews Chapter 9 Verse 9 NIV ESV NKJV NLT KJV Message Amplified

Alphabetical: a able Accordingly an and are being both cannot clear conscience for gifts illustration in indicating is make not of offered perfect present sacrifices symbol that the This time to were which worshiper

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