Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

HEBREWS 9:1KJV
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Hebrews 9:1 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 9:1 mean?

Hebrews 9:1 says that the first covenant—the agreement God made with Israel through Moses—had its own set of religious rules and a physical place for worship. The verse points out that these arrangements were part of earthly, not heavenly, worship.

The writer of Hebrews is explaining to Jewish Christians that the old way of worship under Moses involved specific rituals and a sanctuary made by human hands. This sets up a contrast with what comes later in the chapter, where the focus shifts to a new, better way of relating to God through Jesus. The verse helps the reader see that the old system was real and important, but it was limited to earthly things.

The Greek behind Hebrews 9:1

  • "Ordinances" (δικαιώματα, dikaiōmata): This word means regulations or requirements, often understood as official rules for worship. Here, it highlights that the first covenant had detailed instructions for how people were to approach God.
  • "Service" (λατρεία, latreia): This word refers to acts of worship or religious service, especially those performed by priests. It emphasizes that the old covenant involved formal, ritual acts carried out in the sanctuary.
  • "Worldly" (κοσμικός, kosmikos): This means belonging to the world or earthly. The use of this word underlines that the sanctuary and its services were physical and temporary, not spiritual or eternal.
  • "Sanctuary" (ἅγιον, hagion): This word means a holy place. In this context, it refers to the tabernacle or temple where the Israelites worshipped, emphasizing its role as a set-apart but still earthly location.

Why Hebrews 9:1 matters

  • Hebrews 9:1 clears up that the old covenant was not just spiritual or symbolic; it involved real, physical practices and places.
  • The verse sets the stage for the argument that follows, where the writer will show how Jesus brings a better, heavenly way to approach God.
  • By calling the sanctuary "worldly," the verse helps readers understand that the old system was always meant to be temporary and would one day be replaced by something greater.

Where else these words appear

“worldly” Greek G2886 · used in 2 verses

  • Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

“service” Greek G2999 · used in 5 verses

  • John 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
  • Romans 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
  • Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

“ordinances” Greek G1345 · used in 10 verses

  • Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
  • Romans 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
  • Hebrews 9:10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

“sanctuary” Greek G39 · used in 10 verses

  • Hebrews 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
  • Hebrews 9:8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
  • Hebrews 9:25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;