Hebrews 9:9

New Living Translation

This is an illustration pointing to the present time. For the gifts and sacrifices that the priests offer are not able to cleanse the consciences of the people who bring them.

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
This is a symbol for the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the worshiper’s conscience.

King James Version (1611)
Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offred both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the seruice perfect, as pertayning to the conscience,

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;

English Standard Version
(which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper,

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

New Century Version
This is an example for the present time. It shows that the gifts and sacrifices offered cannot make the conscience of the worshiper perfect.

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,

Legacy Standard Bible
which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience,

Berean Standard Bible
It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper.

Contemporary English Version
This also has a meaning for today. It shows that we cannot make our consciences clear by offering gifts and sacrifices.

Complete Jewish Bible
This symbolizes the present age and indicates that the conscience of the person performing the service cannot be brought to the goal by the gifts and sacrifices he offers.

Darby 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,

Easy-to-Read Version
This is an example for us today. It shows that the gifts and sacrifices the priests offer to God are not able to make the consciences of the worshipers completely clear.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Which was a figure for that present time, wherein were offred gifts and sacrifices that could not make holy, concerning the conscience, him that did the seruice,

George Lamsa Translation
Which was the symbol for that time, now past, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, which could not make perfect the conscience of him who offered them,

Good News Translation
This is a symbol which points to the present time. It means that the offerings and animal sacrifices presented to God cannot make the worshiper's heart perfect,

Lexham English Bible
which was a symbol for the present time, in which both the gifts and sacrifices which were offered were not able to perfect the worshiper with respect to the conscience,

Literal Translation
which was a parable for the present time, according to which both gifts and sacrifices are offered, but as regards conscience, not being able to perfect the one serving,

Amplified Bible
for this [first or outer tabernacle] is a symbol [that is, an archetype or paradigm] for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which are incapable of perfecting the conscience and renewing the [inner self of the] worshiper.

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,

Hebrew Names Version
which is an illustration of the present age, where gifts and sacrifices are offered that are incapable, concerning the conscience, of making the worshipper perfect;

International Standard Version
This is an illustration of the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered could not make the conscience of the worshiper perfect,Galatians 3:21; Hebrews 7:18-19;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
And this was a figurative representation [fn] for the time in which oblations and victims have been offered;-those which have not been able to perfect the consciousness of him who offered them;

Murdock Translation
and it was a symbol, for that time, during which oblation and sacrifices were offered that could not make perfect the conscience of him who offered them:

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Whiche (was) a similitude for the tyme then preset, in which were offred giftes and sacrifices, that coulde not make the worshipper perfect as parteining to the conscience,

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,

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

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, which could not perfect the worshiper as to his conscience,

Weymouth's 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.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Which parable is of this present tyme, bi which also yiftis and sacrifices ben offrid, whiche moun not make a man seruynge perfit bi conscience, oneli in metis,

Update Bible Version
which [is] a figure for the time present; according to which are offered both gifts and sacrifices that can't, as concerning the conscience, make the worshiper 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;

New English Translation
This was a symbol for the time then present, when gifts and sacrifices were offered that could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper.

New King James Version
It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience--

New Life Bible
The outside tent is a picture of that day. With the Old Way of Worship, animals killed and gifts given in worship to God could not take away the guilty feeling of sin.

New Revised Standard
This is a symbol of the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper,

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
The which is a similitude for the present season, according to which both gifts and sacrifices are offered, which cannot, as to the conscience, perfect him that rendereth the divine service: -

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

Revised Standard Version
(which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper,

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Which was a similitude for the tyme then present and in which were offered gyftes and sacrifises that coulde not make them that minister parfecte as pertaynynge to the conscience

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,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Which was a symilitude for the tyme then present, in the which were offred giftes and sacrifices, and coulde not make perfecte (as partaynynge to the conscience) him, that dyd the Gods seruyce

Mace New Testament (1729)
This type subsists to the present time, both gifts and sacrifices being still offered, which cannot purify the mind of him that officiates

Simplified Cowboy Version
We can still see some remnants of the old way in the first part of the tent. People bring their offerings and sacrifices, but it never cleanses their guilt or their soul.

Contextual Overview

⁸ By these regulations the Holy Spirit revealed that the entrance to the Most Holy Place was not freely open as long as the Tabernacle and the system it represented were still in use. ⁹ This is an illustration pointing to the present time. For the gifts and sacrifices that the priests offer are not able to cleanse the consciences of the people who bring them. ¹⁰ For that old system deals only with food and drink and various cleansing ceremonies—physical regulations that were in effect only until a better system could be established. ¹¹ So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. ¹² With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever. ¹³ Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people's bodies from ceremonial impurity. ¹⁴ Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

a figure: Hebrews 9:24, Hebrews 11:19, Romans 5:14, 1 Peter 3:21

the time: Hebrews 7:11, Hebrews 11:39, Hebrews 11:40, 1 Peter 1:11, 1 Peter 1:12

gifts: Hebrews 5:1

that could: Hebrews 9:13, Hebrews 9:14, Hebrews 7:18, Hebrews 7:19, Hebrews 10:1-4, Hebrews 10:11, Psalms 40:6, Psalms 40:7, Galatians 3:21

as pertaining: Psalms 51:16-19

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:9 - the pattern of the tabernacle Exodus 26:1 - the tabernacle with ten curtains Exodus 26:35 - the table Leviticus 6:28 - General Deuteronomy 23:11 - wash himself 2 Chronicles 3:8 - the most holy Song of Solomon 2:9 - he standeth Jeremiah 3:16 - The ark John 3:31 - he that is Acts 6:14 - change Acts 10:15 - What Acts 13:38 - that Acts 13:39 - from which Acts 15:10 - which Galatians 3:3 - having Ephesians 2:15 - the law Colossians 2:14 - the handwriting Colossians 2:17 - a shadow 1 Timothy 4:8 - little Hebrews 7:16 - the law Hebrews 8:5 - the example Hebrews 8:13 - he hath Hebrews 9:23 - the patterns Hebrews 10:4 - not Hebrews 13:9 - not with

Cross-References

Genesis 6:18
But I will confirm my covenant with you. So enter the boat—you and your wife and your sons and their wives.

Genesis 9:7
Now be fruitful and multiply, and repopulate the earth."

Genesis 9:8
Then God told Noah and his sons,

Genesis 9:9
"I hereby confirm my covenant with you and your descendants,

Genesis 9:10
and with all the animals that were on the boat with you—the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals—every living creature on earth.

Genesis 9:11
Yes, I am confirming my covenant with you. Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth."

Genesis 9:17
Then God said to Noah, "Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth."

Genesis 22:17
I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies.

Jeremiah 33:20
"This is what the Lord says: If you can break my covenant with the day and the night so that one does not follow the other,

Romans 1:3
The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David's family line,

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Which was a figure for the time then present,.... The tabernacle in general was a figure of Christ's human nature, Hebrews 8:2 and the most holy part of it was a figure of heaven itself, Hebrews 9:24 the whole service of it was typical and shadowy; but it was but a temporary figure; it was for that present time only; the things of it were suited to that dispensation, and are now abolished, and ought not to be revived, the ordinances of the Gospel being greatly preferable to them; and while it did continue, it was only a parable, as the word here used signifies; it was like a dark saying; it had much obscurity and darkness in it; or as the Vulgate Latin version renders it, it was a "figure of the present time"; that is, of the Gospel dispensation; it was a shadow of good things to come under that; it prefigured what is now accomplished; or rather it was a "figure unto, or until the present time"; till Christ came, when all figures, types, and shadows fled away, and were of no more real use and service:

in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices; that is, in which tabernacle, or at which then present time, or καθ' ην, "according to which figure or parable", as the Alexandrian copy and Vulgate Latin version read, gifts and sacrifices were offered by the priests; see Hebrews 5:1,

that could not make him that did the service perfect; neither the priest that offered them, nor the people whom he represented, and for whom he did the service; they could not make real and perfect expiation for sin, nor justify from it, nor cleanse and sanctify; the spiritual worshippers had their sins expiated by the sacrifice of Christ; and their persons were justified by his righteousness, and they were cleansed by his blood: the particular instance in which, legal sacrifices did not make perfect is, "pertaining to the conscience"; there is in every man a conscience, and when sin is charged home upon it, that is filled with a sense of divine wrath; nor can it be pacified with anything short of what will answer the law and justice of God, and which is only done by the blood and righteousness of Christ.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Which was a figure for the time then present - That is, as long as the tabernacle stood. The word rendered “figure” - παραβολὴ parabolē - is not the same as type - τύπος tupos - (Romans 5:14; Acts 7:13, Acts 7:44; John 20:25; 1Co 10:6, 1 Corinthians 10:11; Philippians 3:17, et al.) - but is the word commonly rendered “parable;” Matthew 13:3, Matthew 13:10, Matthew 13:13, Matthew 13:18, Matthew 13:24, Matthew 13:31, Matthew 13:33-36, Matthew 13:53; Matthew 15:15, “et soepe,” and means properly “a placing side by side;” then a “comparison, or similitude.” Here it is used in the sense of “image, or symbol” - something to “represent” other things. The idea is, that the arrangements and services of the tabernacle were a representation of important realities, and of things which were more fully to be revealed at a future period. There can be no doubt that Paul meant to say that this service in general was symbolical or typical, though this will not authorize us to attempt to spiritualize every minute arrangement of it. Some of the things in which it was typical are specified by the apostle himself, and wisdom and safety in explaining the arrangements of the tabernacle and its services consist in adhering very closely to the explanations furnished by the inspired writers. An interpreter is on an open sea, to be driven he knows not whither, when he takes leave of these safe pilots.

Both gifts - Thank-offerings.

And sacrifices - Bloody offerings. The idea is, that all kinds of offerings to God were made there.

That could not make him that did the service perfect - That could not take away sin, and remove the stains of guilt on the soul; note, Hebrews 7:11; compare Hebrews 8:7; Hebrews 7:27; Hebrews 10:1, Hebrews 10:11.

As pertaining to the conscience - They related mainly to outward and ceremonial rites, and even when offerings were made for sin the conscience was not relieved. They could not expiate guilt; they could not make the soul pure; they could not of themselves impart peace to the soul by reconciling it to God. They could not fully accomplish what the conscience needed to have done in order to give it peace. Nothing will do this but the blood of the Redeemer.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Hebrews 9:9. Which — Tabernacle and its services, was a figure, παραβολη, a dark enigmatical representation, for the time then present - for that age and dispensation, and for all those who lived under it.

In which, καθον, during which, time or dispensation were offered both gifts and sacrifices - eucharistic offerings and victims for sin, that could not make him that did the service, whether the priest who made the offering, or the person who brought it in the behalf of his soul, perfect as pertaining to the conscience - could not take away guilt from the mind, nor purify the conscience from dead works. The whole was a figure, or dark representation, of a spiritual and more glorious system: and although a sinner, who made these offerings and sacrifices according to the law, might be considered as having done his duty, and thus he would be exempted from many ecclesiastical and legal disabilities and punishments; yet his conscience would ever tell him that the guilt of sin was still remaining, and that it was impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take it away. Thus even he that did the service best continued to be imperfect - had a guilty conscience, and an unholy heart.

The words καθον, in which, referred in the above paraphrase to τον καιρον, the time, are read καθ' ην by ABD, and several others, one copy of the Slavonic, the Vulgate, and some of the fathers, and thus refer to την σκηνην, the tabernacle; and this is the reading which our translators appear to have followed. Griesbach places it in his margin, as a very probable reading; but I prefer the other.