Hebrews 9:10 Study Bible: but deal only with foods and drinks and various washings; they are regulations for the flesh imposed until the time of setting things right.

◄ Hebrews 9:10 ►

They consist only in food and drink and special washings--external regulations imposed until the time of reform.

They consist only in food and drink and special washings
This phrase refers to the ceremonial laws and rituals of the Old Covenant, which were primarily concerned with external practices. The Greek word for "food" (βρώμα) and "drink" (πόσις) indicates the dietary laws that were part of the Mosaic Law, such as those found in Leviticus 11. These laws were designed to set Israel apart as a holy nation. "Special washings" (βαπτισμοῖς) refers to the various ceremonial cleansings required by the law, such as those described in Leviticus 15. These practices were symbolic, pointing to the need for inner purity and foreshadowing the cleansing work of Christ.

external regulations
The Greek term for "external" (σαρκικοῖς) can be translated as "fleshly" or "pertaining to the flesh." This highlights the temporary and superficial nature of these regulations. They were not meant to bring about true spiritual transformation but served as a shadow of the greater reality to come. The "regulations" (δικαιώματα) were righteous requirements under the law, but they were limited in their ability to cleanse the conscience or bring about true righteousness.

imposed until the time of reform
The word "imposed" (ἐπικείμενα) suggests that these regulations were laid upon the people as a burden or obligation. They were necessary for a time but were not the ultimate solution to humanity's sin problem. "Until the time of reform" (καιροῦ διορθώσεως) points to the coming of Christ, who would bring about a new order. The "time of reform" refers to the New Covenant, inaugurated by Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection, which fulfilled and transcended the old ceremonial laws. This reform was not merely a change in practice but a transformation of the heart, offering a direct relationship with God through faith in Christ.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Tabernacle
The earthly sanctuary where the Old Covenant rituals were performed, including sacrifices and offerings.

2. The Priests
Those who performed the rituals and sacrifices according to the Old Covenant laws.

3. The Israelites
The people of God who were bound by the Old Covenant and its regulations.

4. The Time of Reform
Refers to the coming of Christ and the establishment of the New Covenant, which fulfilled and superseded the Old Covenant.

5. Jesus Christ
The mediator of the New Covenant, whose sacrifice brought about the "time of reform."

Teaching Points

Understanding the Temporary Nature of the Old Covenant
The Old Covenant, with its regulations on food, drink, and washings, was temporary and pointed forward to Christ. Believers should appreciate the fulfillment of these shadows in Jesus.

The Significance of the New Covenant
The "time of reform" signifies the establishment of the New Covenant through Christ. This calls believers to live in the freedom and grace provided by His sacrifice.

Spiritual Cleansing Over Ritual Purity
While the Old Covenant focused on external regulations, the New Covenant emphasizes internal transformation and spiritual cleansing through the Holy Spirit.

Christ as the Fulfillment of the Law
Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the law, and believers are called to follow Him, understanding that righteousness comes through faith in Him, not through adherence to the law.

Living in the Light of Christ's Sacrifice
The transition from the Old to the New Covenant encourages believers to live in gratitude and obedience, recognizing the profound sacrifice of Christ that brought about this reform.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does understanding the temporary nature of the Old Covenant regulations help us appreciate the New Covenant in Christ?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our focus remains on internal spiritual transformation rather than external rituals?

3. How does the concept of the "time of reform" challenge us to live differently as followers of Christ today?

4. What are some practical ways we can live out the freedom and grace provided by the New Covenant in our daily lives?

5. How can we apply the understanding that Christ is the fulfillment of the law to our interactions with others, especially those who may still be bound by legalistic practices?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Colossians 2:16-17
This passage discusses how the Old Testament laws, including dietary laws and festivals, were a shadow of things to come, pointing to Christ.

Galatians 3:24-25
Paul explains that the law was a guardian until Christ came, indicating the temporary nature of the Old Covenant.

Matthew 5:17
Jesus states that He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, highlighting the transition from the Old to the New Covenant.

Jeremiah 31:31-34
The prophecy of a New Covenant, which is fulfilled in Christ, offering a deeper understanding of the "time of reform."

Romans 8:3-4
Discusses how the law was powerless to save, but God did through sending His Son, aligning with the idea of reform through Christ.

Sermons

Reformation Upon the Gospel Scheme	J. Guyse, D. D.	Hebrews 9:10
The Gospel a Time of Reformation	W. Jones, D. D.	Hebrews 9:10
Christ Typified by the Ark of the Covenant	J. Burns, D. D.	Hebrews 9:1-10
Christian Sanctuaries Material, But not Worldly	J. C. Miller, M. A.	Hebrews 9:1-10
The Ancient Tabernacle	A. B. Bruce, D. D.	Hebrews 9:1-10
The Candlestick	R. W. Dale, LL. D.	Hebrews 9:1-10
The Cherubims of Glory	R. Watson.	Hebrews 9:1-10
The Earthly Sanctuary	John Owens, D. D.	Hebrews 9:1-10
The Golden Censer	R. W. Dale, LL. D.	Hebrews 9:1-10
The Gospel of the Golden Candlestick	S. Mather.	Hebrews 9:1-10
The Holy Chest	T. Champness.	Hebrews 9:1-10
The Inexpediency of Dwelling on Curious Questions	W. Jones, D. D.	Hebrews 9:1-10
The Pot of Manna	J. Burns, D. D.	Hebrews 9:1-10
The Simplicity of Christian Ritual	J. Caird, D. D.	Hebrews 9:1-10
The Tabernacle	Andrew Gray.	Hebrews 9:1-10
Symbolism of the Sacrifices	J.S. Bright	Hebrews 9:6-10
The Symbolism of the Jewish Sacrifices	C. New	Hebrews 9:6-10
The Day of Atonement Fulfilled	C. New	Hebrews 9:6-13

People

Aaron, Hebrews

Places

Holy Place, Jerusalem, Most Holy Place

Topics

Ablutions, Applying, Baptisms, Body, Carnal, Ceremonial, Ceremonies, Consisting, Deal, Depends, Different, Divers, Drink, Drinks, Efficacy, External, Flesh, Fleshly, Imposed, Meats, Order, Ordinances, Pertaining, Reformation, Regulations, Relate, Rules, Setting, Stood, Till, Various, Victuals, Washings

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Hebrews 9:10

7328 ceremonies
7422 ritual

Hebrews 9:6-14

2422 gospel, confirmation
7426 ritual washing

Hebrews 9:7-14

7444 sin offering

Hebrews 9:9-10

7316 blood, OT sacrifices

Hebrews 9:9-14

7308 Atonement, Day of

Library

Good Friday
HEBREWS ix. 13, 14. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? The three collects for Good Friday are very grand and very remarkable. In the first we pray:- 'Almighty God, we beseech thee graciously to behold this thy family, for which our …
Charles Kingsley—Discipline and Other Sermons

Fifth Sunday in Lent
Text: Hebrews 9, 11-15. 11 But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh: …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

The Sacrifice
"For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"--HEB. IX. 13, 14. No Christian doctrine is more commonly misunderstood than that of the sacrifice of Christ. This misunderstanding arises from ignorance as to the meaning of sacrifices in the ancient world. …
J. H. Beibitz—Gloria Crucis

The Essay which Brings up the Rear in this Very Guilty Volume is from The...
The Essay which brings up the rear in this very guilty volume is from the pen of the "Rev. Benjamin Jowett, M.A., [Fellow and Tutor of Balliol College, and] Regius Professor of Greek in the University of Oxford,"--"a gentleman whose high personal character and general respectability seem to give a weight to his words, which assuredly they do not carry of themselves [143] ." His performance is entitled "On the Interpretation of Scripture:" being, in reality, nothing else but a laborious denial of …
John William Burgon—Inspiration and Interpretation

The Blood-Shedding
There is another fool. The storm is raging, the ship is flying impetuous before the gale, the dark scud moves swiftly over head, the masts are creaking, the sails are rent to rags, and still the gathering tempest grows more fierce. Where is the captain? Is he busily engaged on the deck, is he manfully facing the danger, and skilfully suggesting means to avert it? No sir, he has retired to his cabin, and there with studious thoughts and crazy fancies he is speculating on the place where this storm …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

Between the Two Appearings
Here, too, is the place for us to build a grand suspension bridge, by which, through faith, we ourselves may cross from this side to the other of the stormy river of time. The cross, at whose feet we stand, is the massive column which supports the structure on this side; and as we look forward to the glory, the second advent of our Lord is the solid support on the other side of the deep gulf of time. By faith we first look to Jesus, and then for Jesus; and herein is the life of our spirits. Christ …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Blood of the Testament
BLOOD IS ALWAYS a terrible thing. It makes a sensitive mind shudder even to pronounce the word; but, to look upon the thing itself causes a thrill of horror. Although by familiarity men shake this off, for the seeing of the eye and the hearing of the ear can harden the heart, the instinct of a little child may teach you what is natural to us in referer to blood. How it will worry if its finger bleeds ever so little, shocked as the sight, actually there be no smart. I envy not the man whose pity would …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 58: 1912

An Unalterable Law
EVERYWHERE under the old figurative dispensation, blood was sure to greet your eyes. It was the one most prominent thing under the Jewish economy, scarcely a ceremony was observed without it. You could not enter into any part of the tabernacle, but you saw traces of the blood-sprinkling. Sometimes there were bowls of blood cast at the foot of the altar. The place looked so like a shambles, that to visit it must have been far from attractive to the natural taste, and to delight in it, a man had need …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 60: 1914

The Deity of the Holy Spirit.
In the preceding chapter we have seen clearly that the Holy Spirit is a Person. But what sort of a Person is He? Is He a finite person or an infinite person? Is He God? This question also is plainly answered in the Bible. There are in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments five distinct and decisive lines of proof of the Deity of the Holy Spirit. I. Each of the four distinctively Divine attributes is ascribed to the Holy Spirit. What are the distinctively Divine attributes? Eternity, omnipresence, …
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit

The Book of the Covenant
"And Moses took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do and be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words."-EX. xxiv. 7, 8; comp. HEB. ix. 18-20. HERE is a new aspect in which to regard God's blessed Book. Before Moses sprinkled the blood, he read the Book of the Covenant, and obtained the …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

The Holy Spirit in the Mediator.
"Who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God."--Heb. ix. 14. The work of the Holy Spirit in the Person of Christ is not exhausted in the Incarnation, but appears conspicuously in the work of the Mediator. We consider this work in the development of His human nature; in the consecration to His office; in His humiliation unto death; in His resurrection, exaltation, and return in glory. First--The work of the Holy Spirit in the development of the human nature in Jesus. We have …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit in the Passion of Christ.
"Who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself."--Heb. ix. 14. Thirdly--Let us now trace the work of the Holy Spirit in the suffering, death, resurrection, and exaltation of Christ (see "First" and "Second," pp. 93 and 97). In the Epistle to the Hebrews the apostle asks: "If the blood of goats and calves and the ashes of the heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ purge your conscience from dead works?" adding the words: …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Christ's Priestly Office
Q-35: HOW DOES CHRIST EXECUTE THE OFFICE OF A PRIEST? A: In his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us. 'Now once in the end of the world has he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.' Heb 9:96. What are the parts of Christ's priestly office? Christ's priestly office has two parts - his satisfaction and intercession. I. His Satisfaction; and this consists of two branches. [1] His active …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Twenty-Fifth Day. Holy and Blameless.
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe.--The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, to the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His holy ones.'--1 Thess. ii. 10, iii. 12, 13. 'He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before Him …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

"My Little Children, These Things Write I unto You, that Ye Sin Not. And if any Man Sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,",
1 John ii. 1.--"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,", &c. Christ Jesus came by water and by blood, not by water only, but by blood also, and I add, not by blood only but by water also, chap. v. 6. In sin there is the guilt binding over to punishment, and there is the filth or spot that defileth the soul in God's sight. To take away guilt, nothing so fit as blood for there is no punishment beyond blood, therefore …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Sin-Bearer.
A COMMUNION MEDITATION AT MENTONE. "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."--1 Peter ii. 24, 25. THE SIN-BEARER. THIS wonderful passage is a part of Peter's address to servants; and in his day nearly all servants were slaves. Peter begins at the eighteenth verse: "Servants, be subject …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come

An Admonition to them who Come to visit the Sick.
They who come to visit ihe sick, must have a special care not to stand dumb and staring in the sick person's face to disquiet him, nor yet to speak idly and ask unprofitable questions, as most do. If they see, therefore, that the sick party is like to die, let them not dissemble, but lovingly and discreetly admonish him of his weakness, and to prepare for eternal life. One hour well spent, when a man's life is almost out-spent, may gain a man the assurance of eternal life. Soothe him not with the …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Blood of the Covenant
"Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you."--EX. xxiv. 8; HEB. ix. 20. "This cup is the new covenant in My blood."--1 COR. xi. 25; MATT. xxvi. 28. "The blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified."--HEB. x. 29. "The blood of the everlasting covenant."--HEB. xiii.21. THE blood is one of the strangest, the deepest, the mightiest, and the most heavenly of the thoughts of God. It lies at the very root of both Covenants, but specially of the New Covenant. The difference …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

The Lord's Supper --Concluded.
We have quoted, noted, collected and compared the words of Scripture that speak of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. We now wish to ask and examine the question: What do these passages taken together and compared with one another teach? Or, in other words, what is the Bible doctrine of the Lord's Supper? Does the Bible teach the doctrine of Transubstantiation, as held and confessed by the Roman Catholic Church? If our investigation of the teachings of the Holy Scriptures convinces us that they …
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

The Kingdom Forming
Exodus Page Leviticus Page Deuteronomy Page EXODUS I. Pictorial Device. Originate one, or omit. II. III. IV. V. 1706 B.C. to 1490 B.C., making 216 years. VI. 1. 1 to 18. Israel Delivered. 2. 19 to 34. Israel Taught at Mount Sinai. 3. 35 to 40. Israel Prepared for Worship. VII. Chapter 20.2. VIII. God Delivering a Nation. IX. 12:13: "And when I see the blood I will pass over you." 15:11. X. 1. Bondage. 2. 3. Burning Bush. 7-11. 12. 14. Red Sea. 15. 16. Manna. 20. 25 and 35. The …
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible

The Joint Heirs and their Divine Portion
I would invite you, my brethren in Christ Jesus, this morning, to do three things; first, let us consider the terms of the will--"joint heirs with Christ;" secondly, let us go forth and view the estates--what it is of which we are joint heirs; and when we have done so, let us proceed at once to administer, for God hath made his children administrators as web as heirs. I. First, then, there is A LEGAL TERM IN THE WILL UPON WHICH THE WHOLE MATTER WILL HINGE. We are called "joint heirs with Christ"--what …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861

Christianity
WHAT IS CHRISTIANITY? WHAT is Christianity? The question seems a belated one. It never was more pertinent than now. Its pertinency rests upon two facts. First: the modern drift in Christianity and its absolute failure. Second: the phenomenal triumph of primitive Christianity. The modern drift is antagonistic to doctrine and repudiates the miraculous. It sets aside the virgin birth, has no toleration for atonement by sacrificial death, and positively refuses to accept the bodily resurrection of our …
I. M. Haldeman—Christ, Christianity and the Bible

The Work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ Himself is the one perfect manifestation in history of the complete work of the Holy Spirit in man. 1. Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit. We read in Luke i. 35, R. V., "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee; and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also that which is to be born shall be called holy, the Son of God." As we have already seen, in regeneration the believer is begotten of God, but Jesus Christ was …
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit

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