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NASB | Hebrews 9:23 ¶ Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 9:23 ¶ Therefore it was necessary for the [earthly] copies of the heavenly things to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves required far better sacrifices than these. |
Bible Question:
I'm puzzled. This verse is saying that heavenly things needed to be cleansed. What heavenly things? Why would THEY need to be cleansed? I've probably read this verse 50 times in the course of the last 20 years or so, and have never seen this. Now I'm stumped! Thanks! Huron |
Bible Answer: Huron, My take on this verse is that the 'Heavenly things' refers to Heaven itself- God's abode. I think this can be seen in verse 24, where the writer contrasts the earthly sactuary with the true heavenly one. The betters sacrifice(s) then is obviously Jesus. The heavenly things need to be cleansed for the same reason that the earthly sanctuary needed to be cleansed. Look at Lev. 16:16- "He shall make atonement for the holy place, because of the impurities of the sons of Israel and because of their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and thus he shall do for the tent of meeting which abides with them in the midst of their impurities." Heaven needs to be cleansed simply because God's people have sinned. I don't fully understand the logic here, but it is in Both Leviticus and Hebrews, so there must be some reason. Hope this Helps! ischus |