*scroll down past these brief study notes to access the audio and video resources

Chapters Seven to Ten Study Notes

Shalom and welcome to my online study to the Book of Hebrews.  I have no written commentary to access, save these brief study notes that complemented the Live Internet Study (thus the name “Hebrews Unplugged”).  I trust that the study will be a blessing to you all.

Key Points:

1.    The book of Hebrews is not, as the late Dr. Walter Martin quipped, “a book written by a Hebrew to other Hebrews telling the Hebrews to stop acting like Hebrews.”  Germane to our study is how Chapters Seven through Ten draw on several examples to demonstrate comparisons and contrasts between the Levitical Priesthood and the Messianic (Melchizadekian) Priesthood.

2.    Key terms and examples include “first” and “second” to represent such things as:

·         The dual compartments of the Tabernacle/Temple (i.e., the holy place vs. the holy of holies).

·         The first and second priesthoods (i.e., earthly vs. heavenly).

·         The first and second covenants made with corporate Isra'el (i.e., “old” vs. “new”; Mosaic vs. Messianic).

·         The first and second systems of atonement and sacrifice (i.e., mortal animal blood vs. Yeshua immortal blood; ritual vs. spiritual; external vs. internal; purification of the flesh vs. purification of the heart).

·         The first and second ages of humanity (i.e., Present Age vs, the Age to Come).

3.    When encountering these key terms, a vitally important key factor in accurately interpreting this book is to envision comparisons and contrasts based on a “good vs. better” hermeneutic, rather than using the historic Christian comparison and contrast of “bad vs. good.”

4.    Chapters Seven to Ten form a tightly-knit unit of discussion centering on topics such as atonement, priesthood, covenants, and forgiveness of sins, and how Yeshua is superior in every aspect of these discussions. 

5.    Based on this context, the viability of the Torah as a whole does not enter into the discussions at all, except for a few key locations.

6.    Whether or not believers need to remain faithful to the Torah and its legislation in their everyday lives is not addressed within the context of the book of Hebrews as a whole.

7.    As the first corporate covenant cut with the people of Isra'el, however, the Torah does indeed form the backdrop necessary to understand the legal structure of the key terms, particular as pertains to the earthly items.

8.    Understanding “blood activity” (cf. Gen 15:7-21; Ex 24:1-8; Jer 34:17-20), is vital to appreciating this challenging four chapter unit.  The mediatorial presence of blood in ancient Near Eastern covenants played multiple roles, sometimes all at once, and with some possible overlapping of the three at times: ratification (i.e., inauguration), purification (i.e., ritual atonement), and redemption (i.e., economic atonement).  This information becomes crucially important in the bulk of the author’s discussion in Chapter Nine.  When reading the book of Hebrews, always ask yourself the question, “What role is the blood playing?”

overview: chapters one to ten

Thoughts on Chapter Seven

*short 2-3 minute youtube video clips

Thoughts on Chapter eight

*short 2-3 minute youtube video clips

Thoughts on Chapter nine

*short 2-3 minute youtube video clips

Thoughts on Chapter ten

*short 2-3 minute youtube video clips

conclusions: chapters seven to ten

Verses of Historic Disagreement and/or Difficulty Discussed in this Conclusion

Chapter Seven

7:11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?        

7:12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.

7:18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness.

Chapter Eight

8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.

8:8-12 (New Covenant quote from Jeremiah 31:31-34)

8:13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

Verses of Historic Disagreement and/or Difficulty Discussed in this Conclusion

Chapter Nine

9:8-10 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing, (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

9:15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

9:16 For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established.           

9:17 For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.

Verses of Historic Disagreement and/or Difficulty Discussed in this Conclusion

Chapter Ten

10:1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.

10:4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

10:5, 6 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.

10:9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second.

10:11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

10:18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

RETURN TO TORAH OBSERVANT SERIES HOME PAGE