‏ Hebrews 9:9

 Which ( ητις ). "Which very thing," the first tent ( της πρωτης σκηνης, division of the tabernacle), a parenthesis and explanation.

 A parable ( παραβολη ). Only in the Synoptic Gospels in the N.T. and Heb 9:9; 11:19. See on Mt 13:3 for the word (from  παραβαλλω, to place alongside). Here like  τυπος (type or shadow of "the heavenly reality," Moffatt).

 For the time now present ( εις τον καιρον τον ενεστηκοτα ). "For the present crisis " ( καιρον, not  αιωνα, age, not  χρονον, time). Perfect active articular (repeated article) participle of  ενιστημ (intransitive), the age in which they lived, not the past, not the future. See 1Co 3:22; Ro 8:38 for contrast between  ενεστωτα and  μελλοντα. This age of crisis, foreshadowed by the old tabernacle, pointed on to the richer fulfilment still to come.

 According to which ( καθ' ην ). Here the relative refers to  παραβολη just mentioned, not to  σκηνης. See 5:1; 8:3.

 As touching the conscience ( κατα συνειδησιν ). For  συνειδησις see 1Co 8:10; 10:17; Ro 2:15. This was the real failure of animal sacrifice (10:1-4).

 Make the worshipper perfect ( τελειωσα τον λατρευοντα ). First aorist active infinitive (2:10). At best it was only ritual or ceremonial purification (7:11), that called for endless repetition (10:1-4).

Copyright information for RWP