Hebrews 9:9
New International Version
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 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.

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,

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.

Berean Literal Bible
which is a symbol for the present time, in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered, not being able to make perfect in regard to conscience of the one worshiping,

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;

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 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,

NASB 1995
which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience,

NASB 1977
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,

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.

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.

Holman 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.

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,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And this was a symbol for that time in which gifts and sacrifices were offered, which were not able to perfect the conscience of him who offers them,

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

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,

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,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
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.

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,

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

Literal Standard Version
which [is] an allegory 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,

Majority 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.

New American Bible
This is a symbol of the present time, in which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the worshiper in conscience

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

New Heart 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;

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
This is a symbol of the present age, where gifts and sacrifices are offered that are incapable, concerning the conscience, of making the worshiper 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,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Earthly Tabernacle
8By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. 9It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper. 10They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.…

Cross References
Hebrews 5:1
Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

Hebrews 7:19
(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

Hebrews 8:4
Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer gifts according to the law.

Hebrews 10:1
For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.

Hebrews 11:19
Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

Hebrews 9:24
For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

Hebrews 11:19
Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Romans 5:14
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

the time.

Hebrews 7:11
If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

Hebrews 11:39,40
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: …

1 Peter 1:11,12
Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow…

gifts.

Hebrews 5:1
For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

that could.

Hebrews 9:13,14
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 7:18,19
For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof…

Hebrews 10:1-4,11
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect…

as pertaining.

Psalm 51:16-19
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering…

Jump to Previous
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
Jump to Next
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
Hebrews 9
1. The description of the rites and sacrifices of the law;
11. which are far inferior to the dignity and perfection of the sacrifice of Christ.














(9) Which was a figure . . .--Rather, Which is a parable unto the time present, according to which (parable) are offered both gifts and sacrifices, which cannot perfect, as to the conscience, him that doeth the service. The general meaning may be given thus: this "first Tabernacle" (i.e., the existence of an outer as: distinguished from an inner sanctuary) is a parable for the period connected with it (literally, "for the season that stands near it," the adjacent period, so to speak); and in full accordance with the parabolic character of the first Tabernacle (see Hebrews 9:8) is the presentation of offerings which have no power to accomplish the perfect end of worship in the case of any worshipper. The priests offered sacrifices to God, but were limited to the outer sanctuary, which was not the place of God's manifested presence; a fit symbol this of offerings which cannot purify the conscience (see Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:1). The above rendering follows the best reading of the Greek; in the ordinary text the relative "which," in the second clause, refers to "the time," not to "the first Tabernacle."

Verse 9. - Which (ἥτις, with its usual force) is a parable for the time present (i.e. present as regarded from the standpoint of the old dispensation. The A.V., translating "then present," and using past tenses throughout, though departing from literalism, still gives, we conceive, the idea correctly); according to which (referring to "parable," if we adopt the best-supported reading, καθ ἥν. The Textus Receptus, followed by the A.V., has καθ ὅν, referring to "the time") are offered both gifts and sacrifices (cf. ver. 1), which cannot, as pertaining to the conscience, make him that doth the service (or, "the worshipper," the idea not being confined to the officiating priest; cf. Hebrews 10:2, where τοὺς λατρεύοντας is translated "the worshippers") perfect. The emphatic expression here is κατὰ συνείδησιν. The gifts and sacrifices of the Law availed in themselves only for external ceremonial purification; they did not reach, however typical, the sphere of man's inner consciousness; they could not bring about that sense of spiritual accord with God which is spoken of in Jeremiah 31. as marking the new covenant (see below, vers. 13, 14).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[It is]
ἥτις (hētis)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3748: Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever.

an illustration
παραβολὴ (parabolē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3850: From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.

for
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

present
ἐνεστηκότα (enestēkota)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1764: From en and histemi; to place on hand, i.e. impend, be instant.

time,
καιρὸν (kairon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2540: Fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time. Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. Set or proper time.

because
καθ’ (kath’)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

[the] gifts
δῶρά (dōra)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1435: A gift, present. A present; specially, a sacrifice.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

sacrifices
θυσίαι (thysiai)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2378: Abstr. and concr: sacrifice; a sacrifice, offering. From thuo; sacrifice.

being offered
προσφέρονται (prospherontai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4374: From pros and phero; to bear towards, i.e. Lead to, tender, treat.

were unable
δυνάμεναι (dynamenai)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

to cleanse
τελειῶσαι (teleiōsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 5048: From teleios; to complete, i.e. accomplish, or consummate.

[the] conscience
συνείδησιν (syneidēsin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4893: The conscience, a persisting notion. From a prolonged form of suneido; co-perception, i.e. Moral consciousness.

of the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

worshiper.
λατρεύοντα (latreuonta)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3000: To serve, especially God, perhaps simply: I worship. From latris; to minister, i.e. Render religious homage.


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NT Letters: Hebrews 9:9 Which is a symbol of the present (Heb. He. Hb)
Hebrews 9:8
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