Hebrews 9:18-22
The first covenant ( η πρωτη ). Supply διαθηκη as in 9:1.Has been dedicated ( ενκεκαινιστα ). Stands dedicated. Perfect passive indicative of ενκαινιζο, a late verb in LXX, one papyrus, and in N.T. only here and 10:20. It means to renew, to inaugurate (1Sa 11:14; 2Ch 15:8) and in 1Ki 8:63 to dedicate. Note τα ενκαινια (Joh 10:22) for the feast of dedication.
When every commandment had been spoken ( λαληθεισης ). Genitive absolute with first aorist passive participle feminine singular of λαλεω. The author uses the account in Ex 24:3f. "with characteristic freedom" (Moffatt). There is nothing there about the water, the scarlet wool ( εριον, diminutive of εροσ, ειρος, old word, here and in Re 1:14; for κοκκινος see on Mt 27:6, 28), and hyssop ( υσσωπου, a plant mentioned in Joh 19:29). It had become the custom to mingle water with the blood and to use a wisp of wool or a stem of hyssop for sprinkling (Nu 10:2-10).
Both the book itself ( αυτο τε το βιβλιον ). There is nothing in Exodus about sprinkling the book of the covenant, though it may very well have been done. He omits the use of oil in Ex 40:9f.; Le 8:10f. and applies blood to all the details.
Sprinkled ( εραντισεν ). First aorist active indicative from ραντιζω (from ραντος and this from ραινω ), like βαπτιζω from βαπτω. Cf. Mr 7:4; Heb 10:22; Re 19:13.
This is ( τουτο ). Instead of ιδου of the LXX (Ex 24:8), just like our Lord's words in Mr 14:24, a possible reminiscence of the Master's words (Dods). The author also has ενετειλατο (he commanded) for διεθετο of the LXX.
In like manner with the blood ( τω αιματ ομοιως ). Instrumental case of αιμα (blood). But the use of the article does not necessarily refer to the blood mentioned in verse 19. In Ex 40:9 Moses sprinkled the tabernacle with oil. It had not been erected at the time of Ex 24:5f. Josephus (Ant. III. 8, 6) gives a tradition that blood was used also at this dedication. Blood was used annually in the cleansing rites on the day of atonement.
I may almost say ( σχεδον ). Old adverb, only three times in the N.T., here, Ac 13:44; 19:26. Here it qualifies the entire clause, not just παντα.
With blood ( εν αιματ ). In blood. There were exceptions (Ex 19:10; 32:30f.; Le 5:11f.; 15:5; Nu 16:46f.; 31:23f., etc.).
Apart from shedding of blood ( χωρις αιματεκχυσιας ). A double compound first found here (coined by the writer) and later in ecclesiastical writers ( αιμα, blood, εκ, out, χεω, to pour, like εκχυσις αιματος 1Ki 18:28). "Pouring out of blood." The author seems to have in mind Christ's words in Mt 26:28: "This is my blood of the covenant which is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins." The blood is the vital principle and is efficacious as an atonement. The blood of Christ sets aside all other plans for pardon.
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