But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

HEBREWS 9:11KJV
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Hebrews 9:11 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 9:11 mean?

Hebrews 9:11 presents Christ, Jesus, as a high priest connected with the good things to come. A high priest was the leading priest who represented the people before God. Jesus carries out that role through a greater and more complete place of worship than one built by human hands.

The word “tabernacle” recalls the tent used for worship in Israel’s earlier history. After describing the limits of the worship arrangements in verse 10, the writer turns to the kind of place associated with Christ’s work. “Not of this building” means that this tabernacle does not belong to the created order.

The Greek behind Hebrews 9:11

  • “come” — παραγίνομαι (paraginomai): This word can mean to arrive or appear. It presents Christ as having entered the scene in his role as high priest.
  • “tabernacle” — σκηνή (skēnē): This word can mean a tent or shelter. It helps a reader hear the link between the place named here and the earlier tent used for worship.
  • “building” — κτίσις (ktisis): This word can mean creation or what has been created. Here the sense reaches beyond a single structure to the created world.

Why Hebrews 9:11 matters

  • The contrast concerns more than the size of a worship tent. “Greater and more perfect” points to a more complete place than the earlier one.
  • Christ’s work is the focus of a sentence that continues into verse 12. There, the writer connects his role as high priest with his entry into the holy place and the giving of his own blood.

Where else these words appear

“hands” Greek G5499 · used in 6 verses

  • Mark 14:58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
  • Acts 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
  • Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

“perfect” Greek G5046 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
  • Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

“say” Greek G5123 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
  • Romans 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
  • Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

“building” Greek G2937 · used in 19 verses

  • Mark 10:6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
  • Romans 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
  • Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: