Behind the Curtain

Now the first covenant did have regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary.

ΕἶχεI have, hold, possess μὲνtruly, indeed οὖνtherefore, then ἡthe πρώτηfirst, before δικαιώματαa thing pronounced to be just λατρείαςservice, worship τόthe τεand, both ἅγιονset apart, holy, sacred κοσμικόν.earthly, worldly

A tent was set up. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the Presence; this is called the Holy Place.

σκηνὴa tent, tabernacle γὰρfor κατεσκευάσθηI build, prepare, make ἡthe πρώτηfirst, before ἐνin, by ᾗwho, which ἥthe τεand, both λυχνίαa lamp-stand καὶand, also ἡthe τράπεζαa table for food or business καὶand, also ἡthe πρόθεσιςthe show-bread, predetermination τῶνthe ἄρτων,bread, a loaf, food ἥτιςwhosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever λέγεταιI say, speak Ἅγια·set apart, holy, sacred

Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,

μετὰwith, after δὲnow, but τὸthe δεύτερονsecond, in the second place, for the second time καταπέτασμαa veil, curtain σκηνὴa tent, tabernacle ἡthe λεγομένηI say, speak Ἅγιαset apart, holy, sacred Ἁγίων,set apart, holy, sacred

which had the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold. In it were a golden jar holding the manna, Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.

χρυσοῦνgolden ἔχουσαI have, hold, possess θυμιατήριονaltar of incense καὶand, also τὴνthe κιβωτὸνan ark τῆςthe διαθήκηςa covenant, will, testament περικεκαλυμμένηνI cover up πάντοθενfrom all sides χρυσίῳ,a golden ornament ἐνin, by ᾗwho, which στάμνοςa jar or vase χρυσῆgolden ἔχουσαI have, hold, possess τὸthe μάνναmanna καὶand, also ἡthe ῥάβδοςa rod, staff ἈαρὼνAaron ἡthe βλαστήσασαI sprout, cause to sprout, make to grow up καὶand, also αἱthe πλάκεςa tablet, flat surface τῆςthe διαθήκης,a covenant, will, testament

Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat. But we cannot speak about these things in detail now.

ὑπεράνωfar above δὲnow, but αὐτῆςhe, his, it Χερουβὶν  δόξηςhonor, renown, glory splendor κατασκιάζονταI overshadow τὸthe ἱλαστήριον·a sin offering, covering περὶabout, concerning, around ὧνwho, which οὐκnot ἔστινto be νῦνnow, already, at present λέγεινI say, speak κατὰdown from, against, according to, throughout, during μέρος.a part, portion

With everything arranged like this, the priests go into the first room continually to carry out their service,

Τούτωνthis δὲnow, but οὕτως  κατεσκευασμένων,I build, prepare, make εἰςinto, so that μὲνtruly, indeed τὴνthe πρώτηνfirst, before σκηνὴνa tent, tabernacle διὰthrough παντὸςall, the whole, every kind of εἰσίασινI go in, enter οἱthe ἱερεῖςa priest τὰςthe λατρείαςservice, worship ἐπιτελοῦντες,I complete, accomplish, perfect

but only the high priest goes into the second room, and only once a year, and never without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins the people committed in ignorance.

εἰςinto, so that δὲnow, but τὴνthe δευτέρανsecond, in the second place, for the second time ἅπαξonce, once for all τοῦthe ἐνιαυτοῦa year μόνοςonly, solitary, desolate ὁthe ἀρχιερεύς,high priest, chief priest οὐnot χωρὶςwithout, apart from αἵματος,blood ὃwho, which προσφέρειto offer, bring ὑπὲρin behalf of, above ἑαυτοῦhimself, herself, itself καὶand, also τῶνthe τοῦthe λαοῦa people, the crowd ἀγνοημάτων,an offence committed through ignorance

By this the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the sanctuary had not yet been opened as long as the first tent was still standing.

τοῦτοthis δηλοῦντοςI show, make clear, reveal τοῦthe πνεύματοςwind, breath, spirit τοῦthe ἁγίου,set apart, holy, sacred μήπωnot yet πεφανερῶσθαιI make clear, visible, or manifest τὴνthe τῶνthe ἁγίωνset apart, holy, sacred ὁδὸνa way, road, journey ἔτιstill, yet τῆςthe πρώτηςfirst, before σκηνῆςa tent, tabernacle ἐχούσηςI have, hold, possess στάσιν,standing, place, dissension

This is a symbol for the present time. Under it, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper.

ἥτιςwhosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever παραβολὴa parable, comparison εἰςinto, so that τὸνthe καιρὸνfitting season, opportunity, time τὸνthe ἐνεστηκότα,I place in or upon, am at hand, am present, threaten καθ’down from, against, according to, throughout, during ἣνwho, which δῶράgift τεand, both καὶand, also θυσίαιsacrifice προσφέρονταιto offer, bring μὴnot δυνάμεναιI am powerful, am able κατὰdown from, against, according to, throughout, during συνείδησινthe conscience τελειῶσαιI complete, accomplish, make perfect τὸνthe λατρεύοντα,I serve, worship

They have to do only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of the new order.

μόνονonly, solitary, desolate ἐπὶupon, concerning βρώμασινfood of any kind καὶand, also πόμασινdrink καὶand, also διαφόροιςdiffering, different, excellent βαπτισμοῖς,dipping, washing δικαιώματαa thing pronounced to be just σαρκὸςflesh, body μέχρι  καιροῦfitting season, opportunity, time διορθώσεωςimprovement, reformation ἐπικείμενα.I lie upon, am insistent

But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, he went through the greater and more perfect tent, not made with hands, that is, not of this creation,

Χριστὸςanointed, the Messiah, the Christ δὲnow, but παραγενόμενοςI appear, come, arrive at ἀρχιερεὺςhigh priest, chief priest τῶνthe γενομένωνto come to be, be made ἀγαθῶνgood διὰthrough τῆςthe μείζονοςlarge, great καὶand, also τελειοτέραςperfect, full-grown σκηνῆςa tent, tabernacle οὐnot χειροποιήτου,done or made with hands τοῦτ’this ἔστινto be οὐnot ταύτηςthis τῆςthe κτίσεως,creation, creature, institution

and he entered the Most Holy Place once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.

οὐδὲneither, nor, not even δι’through αἵματοςblood τράγωνa he-goat καὶand, also μόσχωνa calf διὰthrough δὲnow, but τοῦthe ἰδίουone's own, private, personal αἵματος,blood εἰσῆλθενI go in, come in, enter ἐφάπαξonce, once for all εἰςinto, so that τὰthe ἅγια,set apart, holy, sacred αἰωνίανeternal, unending λύτρωσινliberation, deliverance, release εὑράμενος.to find

For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean,

εἰif γὰρfor τὸthe αἷμαblood τράγωνa he-goat καὶand, also ταύρωνa bull, an ox καὶand, also σποδὸςashes δαμάλεωςa heifer ῥαντίζουσαI sprinkle τοὺςthe κεκοινωμένουςI make unclean, regard as unclean ἁγιάζειI make holy, sanctify πρὸςto, towards, with τὴνthe τῆςthe σαρκὸςflesh, body καθαρότητα,cleanness, purity

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our conscience from dead works so that we may serve the living God!

πόσῳhow much, how great, how many μᾶλλονmore, rather τὸthe αἷμαblood τοῦthe Χριστοῦ,anointed, the Messiah, the Christ ὃςwho, which διὰthrough πνεύματοςwind, breath, spirit αἰωνίουeternal, unending ἑαυτὸνhimself, herself, itself προσήνεγκενto offer, bring ἄμωμονblameless τῷthe θεῷ,God καθαριεῖI make clean τὴνthe συνείδησινthe conscience ἡμῶνI ἀπὸfrom, away from νεκρῶνdead, a corpse ἔργωνwork, labor, action, deed εἰςinto, so that τὸthe λατρεύεινI serve, worship θεῷGod ζῶντι.I live

That is why he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

Καὶand, also διὰthrough τοῦτοthis διαθήκηςa covenant, will, testament καινῆςfresh, new μεσίτηςa mediator, go-between ἐστίν,to be ὅπωςhow, in order that, so that θανάτουdeath γενομένουto come to be, be made εἰςinto, so that ἀπολύτρωσινredemption, deliverance τῶνthe ἐπὶupon, concerning τῇthe πρώτῃfirst, before διαθήκῃa covenant, will, testament παραβάσεωνa transgression τὴνthe ἐπαγγελίανa promise λάβωσινI receive, take οἱthe κεκλημένοιI call, invite, name τῆςthe αἰωνίουeternal, unending κληρονομίας.an inheritance

For where there is a will, the death of the one who made it must be established.

ὅπουwhere, whither γὰρfor διαθήκη,a covenant, will, testament θάνατονdeath ἀνάγκηnecessity, constraint, compulsion φέρεσθαιI carry, bear, bring, lead τοῦthe διαθεμένου·I appoint, make

A will takes effect only at death; it is never in force while the one who made it is still alive.

διαθήκηa covenant, will, testament γὰρfor ἐπὶupon, concerning νεκροῖςdead, a corpse βεβαία,firm, steadfast, enduring ἐπεὶafter, for, since, otherwise μήποτεlest at any time, lest, perhaps ἰσχύειI am strong, able ὅτεwhen ζῇI live ὁthe διαθέμενος.I appoint, make

That is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.

ὅθενwhence, wherefore οὐδὲneither, nor, not even ἡthe πρώτηfirst, before χωρὶςwithout, apart from αἵματοςblood ἐγκεκαίνισται·I consecrate, dedicate

When Moses had declared every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the scroll itself and all the people,

λαληθείσηςto speak γὰρfor πάσηςall, the whole, every kind of ἐντολῆςan ordinance, injunction, command κατὰdown from, against, according to, throughout, during τὸνthe νόμονa law, the Mosaic Law ὑπὸby, under, about Μωϋσέως  παντὶall, the whole, every kind of τῷthe λαῷ,a people, the crowd λαβὼνI receive, take τὸthe αἷμαblood τῶνthe μόσχωνa calf μετὰwith, after ὕδατοςwater καὶand, also ἐρίουwool κοκκίνουcrimson καὶand, also ὑσσώπουhyssop αὐτόhe, his, it τεand, both τὸthe βιβλίονa papyrus roll καὶand, also πάνταall, the whole, every kind of τὸνthe λαὸνa people, the crowd ἐράντισεν,I sprinkle

saying, 'This is the blood of the covenant that God has commanded for you.'

λέγων·I say, speak Τοῦτοthis τὸthe αἷμαblood τῆςthe διαθήκηςa covenant, will, testament ἧςwho, which ἐνετείλατοI give orders, command πρὸςto, towards, with ὑμᾶςyou ὁthe θεός·God

In the same way he sprinkled the tent and all the vessels used in worship with blood.

καὶand, also τὴνthe σκηνὴνa tent, tabernacle δὲnow, but καὶand, also πάνταall, the whole, every kind of τὰthe σκεύηa vessel to contain liquid, utensil, tackle τῆςthe λειτουργίαςa charitable gift, public service τῷthe αἵματιblood ὁμοίωςin like manner ἐράντισεν.I sprinkle

In fact, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

καὶand, also σχεδὸνnearly, almost ἐνin, by αἵματιblood πάνταall, the whole, every kind of καθαρίζεταιI make clean κατὰdown from, against, according to, throughout, during τὸνthe νόμον,a law, the Mosaic Law καὶand, also χωρὶςwithout, apart from αἱματεκχυσίαςa shedding or pouring forth of blood οὐnot γίνεταιto come to be, be made ἄφεσις.deliverance, pardon, complete forgiveness

So it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

Ἀνάγκηnecessity, constraint, compulsion οὖνtherefore, then τὰthe μὲνtruly, indeed ὑποδείγματαa figure, copy, example τῶνthe ἐνin, by τοῖςthe οὐρανοῖςthe sky, the heaven τούτοιςthis καθαρίζεσθαι,I make clean αὐτὰhe, his, it δὲnow, but τὰthe ἐπουράνιαheavenly, celestial κρείττοσιstronger, more excellent θυσίαιςsacrifice παρὰthan, beside ταύτας.this

For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with hands, a mere copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

οὐnot γὰρfor εἰςinto, so that χειροποίηταdone or made with hands εἰσῆλθενI go in, come in, enter ἅγιαset apart, holy, sacred Χριστός,anointed, the Messiah, the Christ ἀντίτυπαtypical of, representing by type or pattern τῶνthe ἀληθινῶν,true, real, genuine ἀλλ’but, except εἰςinto, so that αὐτὸνhe, his, it τὸνthe οὐρανόν,the sky, the heaven νῦνnow, already, at present ἐμφανισθῆναιI make visible, report against, appear before τῷthe προσώπῳthe face, countenance, surface τοῦthe θεοῦGod ὑπὲρin behalf of, above ἡμῶν·I

Nor did he enter to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own.

οὐδ’neither, nor, not even ἵναin order that, so that πολλάκιςmany times, often προσφέρῃto offer, bring ἑαυτόν,himself, herself, itself ὥσπερjust as, as ὁthe ἀρχιερεὺςhigh priest, chief priest εἰσέρχεταιI go in, come in, enter εἰςinto, so that τὰthe ἅγιαset apart, holy, sacred κατ’down from, against, according to, throughout, during ἐνιαυτὸνa year ἐνin, by αἵματιblood ἀλλοτρίῳ,belonging to another person, foreign

Otherwise he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

ἐπεὶafter, for, since, otherwise ἔδειit is necessary (δεῖ) αὐτὸνhe, his, it πολλάκιςmany times, often παθεῖνI am acted upon, suffer ἀπὸfrom, away from καταβολῆςa foundation, depositing, sowing κόσμου·the world, universe νυνὶnow, already, at present δὲnow, but ἅπαξonce, once for all ἐπὶupon, concerning συντελείᾳa completion, consummation, end τῶνthe αἰώνωνage; the ages, the universe εἰςinto, so that ἀθέτησινnullification, abrogation ἁμαρτίαςa sin διὰthrough τῆςthe θυσίαςsacrifice αὐτοῦhe, his, it πεφανέρωται.I make clear, visible, or manifest

And just as people are destined to die once, and after that comes judgment,

καὶand, also καθ’down from, against, according to, throughout, during ὅσονhow much, how great, how many ἀπόκειταιI have been put away, am stored, am reserved for τοῖςthe ἀνθρώποιςa man, one of the human race ἅπαξonce, once for all ἀποθανεῖν,to die μετὰwith, after δὲnow, but τοῦτοthis κρίσις,judging, divine judgment

so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly waiting for him.

οὕτως  καὶand, also ὁthe Χριστός,anointed, the Messiah, the Christ ἅπαξonce, once for all προσενεχθεὶςto offer, bring εἰςinto, so that τὸthe πολλῶνmuch, great; here 'better, greater' ἀνενεγκεῖνI carry up, lead up, offer up ἁμαρτίας,a sin ἐκout of, from δευτέρουsecond, in the second place, for the second time χωρὶςwithout, apart from ἁμαρτίαςa sin ὀφθήσεταιto see τοῖςthe αὐτὸνhe, his, it ἀπεκδεχομένοιςI expect eagerly, wait for eagerly εἰςinto, so that σωτηρίαν.deliverance, salvation