Hebrews 9:23

“It was therefore necessary, etc..] On account of the divine appointment, and that types and antitypes might correspond; and especially it was necessary with respect to the Messiah, the substance and body of all types. So Jonathan ben Uzziel paraphrases the text in (<024009>Exodus 40:9): “and thou shalt take the anointing oil, and thou shalt anoint the tabernacle, and all that is in it; and thou shall sanctify it, lwjm, because of the crown of the kingdom of the house of Judah, and the King Messiah, who shall redeem Israel in the latter days.” Upon his account it was necessary, that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; that is, that all the people, and the book…”

“patterns--"the suggestive representations"; the typical copies (see on Heb 8:5). things in the heavens--the heavenly tabernacle and the things therein. purified with these--with the blood of bulls and goats. heavenly things themselves--the archetypes. Man's sin had introduced an element of disorder into the relations of God and His holy angels in respect to man. The purification removes this element of disorder and changes God's wrath against man in heaven (designed to be the place of God's revealing His grace to men and angels) into a smile of reconciliation. Compare "peace in heaven" (Luk 19:38). "The uncreated heaven of God, though in itself untroubled light, yet needed a purification in…”

“The patterns of things in the heavens - The tabernacle and its various utensils; see the notes on Hebrews 8:5. Be purified with these - With water and blood, and by these ceremonies. But the heavenly things themselves - The heavenly tabernacle or sanctuary into which Christ has entered, and where he performs the functions of his ministry. The use of the word “purified” here applied to heaven, does not imply that heaven was before “unholy,” but it denotes that it is now made accessible to sinners; or that they may come and worship there in an acceptable manner. The ancient tabernacle was purified or consecrated by the blood of the victims slain, so that people might approach with acceptance…”

“Therefore - That is, it plainly appears from what has been said. It was necessary - According to the appointment of God. That the tabernacle and all its utensils, which were patterns, shadowy representations, of things in heaven, should be purified by these - Sacrifices and sprinklings. But the heavenly things themselves - Our heaven - born spirits: what more this may mean we know not yet. By better sacrifices than these - That is, by a better sacrifice, which is here opposed to all the legal sacrifices, and is expressed plurally, because it includes the signification of them all, and is of so much more eminent virtue. Hebrews 9:24”

“9:23 This verse argues from lesser to greater (see study note on 9:14). Just as heaven is greater than the earthly Tabernacle, so Christ’s sacrifice had to be . . . far better than the earthly sacrifices. • That is why: See 9:16-22; Lev 16:14-19. • copies of things in heaven: See study note on Heb 8:5. • in heaven, had to be purified: Just as the Tabernacle had to be cleansed because of the sin of the Israelites (Lev 16:16-19), the heavenly Tabernacle required that the uncleanness be removed from those who would enter heaven under the new covenant.”

“the patterns: Heb 9:9, Heb 9:10, Heb 9:24, Heb 8:5, Heb 10:1; Col 2:17 the heavenly: Heb 9:11, Heb 9:12, Heb 9:14, Heb 9:24, Heb 10:4, Heb 10:10-17; Luk 24:26, Luk 24:46; Joh 14:3; Pe1 1:19-21; Rev 5:9 Hebrews 9:24”