King James Version

What Does Hebrews 9:19 Mean?

Hebrews 9:19 in the King James Version says “For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats... — study this verse from Hebrews chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book , and all the people, scarlet: or, purple

Hebrews 9:19 · KJV


Context

17

For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

18

Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. dedicated: or, purified

19

For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book , and all the people, scarlet: or, purple

20

Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

21

Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses 'took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people.' This ratification ceremony established covenant relationship. The blood, touching both law (book) and people, signified that obedience is owed (law) and atonement is provided (blood). The additional elements (water, wool, hyssop) had purificatory associations. This ceremony typified Christ's blood ratifying the new covenant.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Exodus 24 is less detailed than Hebrews about the ratification ceremony. The author may combine elements from various OT purification rituals (Leviticus 14, Numbers 19) to show the comprehensive nature of covenant inauguration.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does sprinkling both the law and the people teach about the relationship between God's requirements and His provision?
  2. How does this ceremony foreshadow Christ's blood establishing the new covenant?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 34 words
λαληθείσης1 of 34

had spoken

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

γὰρ2 of 34

For

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

πάντα3 of 34

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ἐντολῆς4 of 34

precept

G1785

injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription

κατὰ5 of 34

according

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

νόμον6 of 34

to the law

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

ὑπὸ7 of 34

when

G5259

under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (

Μωϋσέως8 of 34

Moses

G3475

moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver

πάντα9 of 34

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τῷ10 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαὸν11 of 34

the people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

λαβὼν12 of 34

he took

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

τὸ13 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αἷμα14 of 34

the blood

G129

blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k

τῶν15 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μόσχων16 of 34

of calves

G3448

a young bullock

καὶ17 of 34

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τράγων18 of 34

of goats

G5131

a he-goat (as a gnawer)

μετὰ19 of 34

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

ὕδατος20 of 34

water

G5204

water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively

καὶ21 of 34

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐρίου22 of 34

wool

G2053

wool

κοκκίνου23 of 34

scarlet

G2847

crimson-colored

καὶ24 of 34

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὑσσώπου25 of 34

hyssop

G5301

"hyssop"

αὐτό26 of 34
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τε27 of 34

both

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

τὸ28 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βιβλίον29 of 34

the book

G975

a roll

καὶ30 of 34

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πάντα31 of 34

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τὸν32 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαὸν33 of 34

the people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

ἐῤῥάντισεν34 of 34

and sprinkled

G4472

to render besprinkled, i.e., asperse (ceremonially or figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Hebrews. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Hebrews 9:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Hebrews 9:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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