Hebrews 9:11 Meaning and Explanation
“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;”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →But Christ has come as high priest of the good things now here, ministering through a greater, more perfect tabernacle not built by human hands.
What Does Hebrews 9:11 Mean?
With a decisive 'But,' the writer turns from shadow to reality. Christ has come, and he comes as high priest, not of a passing order but of the good things that were always promised. He ministers through a greater and more perfect tabernacle, one not made with hands, not part of this created order, but belonging to the very presence of God.
Everything in the old tent was a copy; here is the original. The earthly sanctuary was beautiful but temporary, fashioned by craftsmen; Christ serves in a sanctuary no human hands could build. This is the heart of the good news in this chapter: the priest we longed for has arrived, and he opens a way into a holiness the old tabernacle could only picture from a distance.
Hebrews 9:11 in the Original Language
cheiropoietos (χειροποίητος), 'made with hands' -- fashioned by human craftsmanship, as opposed to God's own work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hebrews 9:11
What does Hebrews 9:11 mean?
But Christ has come as high priest of the good things now here, ministering through a greater, more perfect tabernacle not built by human hands.