Hebrews 9

Manna in the ark

Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; Hebrews 9:4

The pot of manna kept in the ark remembered the bread from heaven, which Jesus said pointed to Him, the true Bread of Life.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by John 6:48-51 — I am that bread of life; your fathers did eat manna.
• alludes to Exodus 16:33-34 — A pot of manna laid up before the testimony.

The Mercy Seat

And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Hebrews 9:5

The mercy seat, where the high priest sprinkled atoning blood, was the place of reconciliation. Paul uses the same Greek word for Christ as our 'propitiation'.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Exodus 25:17-22 — The mercy seat and the cherubims over the ark.
• interpreted by Romans 3:25 — Christ set forth as a propitiation (same Greek word as mercyseat).

Day of Atonement as a figure

But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: Hebrews 9:7–9

The Holy Ghost taught through the yearly Day of Atonement that the way into God's presence was not yet open; the whole ritual was a figure pointing to Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Leviticus 16:15-17 — The high priest alone enters with blood once a year.
• a type of what is in Hebrews 9:11-12 — Christ enters once by His own blood.

High Priest of good things to come

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Hebrews 9:11

Christ came as the High Priest of the blessings the law only promised, serving in a heavenly tabernacle no human built.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Hebrews 8:2 — Minister of the true tabernacle.

By His own blood, eternal redemption

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Hebrews 9:12

The high priest brought animal blood every year; Jesus brought His own blood once and gained eternal redemption for us.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• typified by Leviticus 16:14-15 — Blood of the bullock and goat sprinkled on the mercy seat.
• the same event in Alma 34:10-11 — Not a sacrifice of beast, but an infinite and eternal sacrifice.

Ashes of the red heifer

For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: Hebrews 9:13

The ashes of a sacrificed red heifer cleansed the ceremonially unclean; if that cleansed the outside, Christ's blood cleanses the soul.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Numbers 19:2-9 — The red heifer and the water of separation.

The blood of Christ offered without spot

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:14

Christ, the spotless offering, gave Himself to God, and His blood can cleanse our consciences so we can serve God with clean hearts.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in 1 Peter 1:19 — The precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
• typified by Exodus 12:5 — The Passover lamb without blemish.

Mediator of the new testament

And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. Hebrews 9:15

By His death Christ redeems even those who sinned under the old covenant, so all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Hebrews 12:24 — Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.

The death of the Testator

Testator — one who makes a will that takes effect at death

For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. Hebrews 9:16–17

A will only takes effect when the one who made it dies. Christ is the Testator whose death puts the new testament and its inheritance in force.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Matthew 26:28 — My blood of the new testament, shed for many.

Blood of the testament at Sinai

For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Hebrews 9:19–22

Moses sealed the old covenant with sacrificial blood, saying 'This is the blood of the testament.' Jesus used almost the same words at the Last Supper about His own blood.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Exodus 24:6-8 — Behold the blood of the covenant.
• a type of what is in Matthew 26:28 — This is my blood of the new testament.

Appears in the presence of God for us

It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. Hebrews 9:23–24

The earthly holy places were only figures; Christ went into heaven itself, where He stands before the Father on our behalf.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in D&C 45:3-4 — The advocate with the Father pleading your cause.

Once, by the sacrifice of Himself

Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; Hebrews 9:25–26

Unlike the yearly sacrifices, Christ came once, in the meridian of time, and put away sin by sacrificing Himself.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Moses 6:57 — Jesus Christ, a righteous Judge, who shall come in the meridian of time.

Offered to bear the sins of many

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:28

Christ was offered once to carry the sins of many, as Isaiah foretold of the suffering Servant.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Isaiah 53:12 — He bare the sin of many.
• alludes to Mosiah 14:12 — Abinadi's quotation of the same prophecy.

He shall appear the second time

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:28

Christ will come again, not to deal with sin this time, but to bring full salvation to those watching for Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Acts 1:11 — This same Jesus shall so come in like manner.