Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 9:1

"Now even a first [covenant] had ordinances of divine service, and its sanctuary, [a sanctuary] of this world." — Hebrews 9:1 (ASV)

The subject begun in the last chapter (Hebrews 9:1–6) is continued here. The mention of the “more excellent ministry” led to the description of the new covenant with which it is united (Hebrews 9:6–13).

This verse, then, connects to the fifth and sixth verses of Hebrews 8 (Hebrews 8:5–6): “Even the first (covenant), then, had ordinances of divine service and its sanctuary, of this world.” The “service” is spoken of again in Hebrews 9:6; the “ordinances” in Hebrews 9:10, where they are called “carnal.” Very similar is the language here, because the words so emphatically standing at the end of the verse are probably descriptive not of the “sanctuary” only, but also of the “ordinances.” Both place and ministrations belonged to this world, and thus stand in contrast with “the heavenly things,” of which the Tabernacle was a symbol and shadow (See Note on Hebrews 8:5).

The ordinary Greek text (here following the first printed Greek Testament) has “the first Tabernacle,” and this reading was followed by Tyndale and Coverdale. All ancient manuscripts omit the word; and, as “covenant” has been the leading thought in a long succession of verses, the rendering of the Authorized Version is certainly correct.