Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.

HEBREWS 9:6KJV
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Hebrews 9:6 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 9:6 mean?

Hebrews 9:6 explains that after the sacred items in the tabernacle were set up as instructed, the priests regularly entered the first room to carry out their duties for God. This verse highlights the ongoing, daily work of the priests in the outer part of the tabernacle.

The writer of Hebrews is describing the old covenant worship system to Jewish Christians, focusing on how the priests served in the "first tabernacle," meaning the outer room called the Holy Place. The verse sets the stage for a comparison with the inner room, the Most Holy Place, which only the high priest could enter once a year. This background helps readers understand the difference between regular priestly service and the unique access to God that Jesus provides.

The Greek behind Hebrews 9:6

  • "πρῶτον" (prōton, G4413) means "first" and refers specifically to the first room of the tabernacle, the Holy Place, distinguishing it from the inner sanctuary.
  • "λειτουργίας" (leitourgias, G2999, translated as "service") refers to the religious duties or acts of worship performed by the priests, emphasizing that their work was ongoing and ritual in nature.
  • "εἰσέρχονται" (eiserchontai, G1524, "went") is in the present tense, showing that the priests' entry into the first tabernacle was a regular, repeated action, not a one-time event.

Why Hebrews 9:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the daily work of the priests was limited to the outer room, highlighting a barrier between ordinary priests and the direct presence of God.
  • It sets up the contrast between the old system, where access to God was restricted, and the new way opened by Jesus, which the following verses will explain.
  • Understanding this routine priestly service helps readers grasp the significance of Jesus’ unique role as high priest, who brings a different kind of access to God.

Where else these words appear

“went” Greek G1524 · used in 4 verses

  • Acts 3:3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
  • Acts 21:18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
  • Acts 21:26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

“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.

“always” Greek G1275 · used in 7 verses

  • Mark 5:5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
  • Acts 10:2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
  • Romans 11:10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

“were” Greek G2680 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 11:10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
  • Luke 7:27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
  • Hebrews 9:2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.