Hebrews 9:20 Meaning and Explanation
“Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Moses declared that this was the blood of the covenant God had commanded for them.
What Does Hebrews 9:20 Mean?
As he sprinkled the people, Moses spoke the words that gave the act its meaning: this is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded for you. The blood was not a mere ritual gesture; it was the divinely ordained seal that bound the people to the Lord and the Lord to his people.
These ancient words carry a deliberate echo. At the last supper Jesus would lift the cup and speak of his blood of the covenant, poured out for many. The writer surely intends the reader to hear that resonance. What Moses declared over the people at Sinai, Christ fulfills and surpasses, sealing a new covenant in his own blood and binding his people to God forever.
Hebrews 9:20 in the Original Language
diatheke (διαθήκη), 'testament' -- a covenant or solemn binding arrangement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hebrews 9:20
What does Hebrews 9:20 mean?
Moses declared that this was the blood of the covenant God had commanded for them.