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Selected Verse: Hebrews 9:13 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Heb 9:13	Strong Concordance	For [1063] if [1487] the blood [129] of bulls [5022] and [2532] of goats [5131], and [2532] the ashes [4700] of an heifer [1151] sprinkling [4472] the unclean [2840], sanctifieth [37] to [4314] the purifying [2514] of the flesh [4561]:
	King James	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:

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
PROOF OF AND ENLARGEMENT ON, THE "ETERNAL REDEMPTION" MENTIONED IN Heb 9:12. (Heb. 9:13-28) if--as we know is the case; so the Greek indicative means. Argument from the less to the greater. If the blood of mere brutes could purify in any, however small a degree, how much more shall inward purification, and complete and eternal salvation, be wrought by the blood of Christ, in whom dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead? ashes of an heifer-- (Num 19:16-18). The type is full of comfort for us. The water of separation, made of the ashes of the red heifer, was the provision for removing ceremonial defilement whenever incurred by contact with the dead. As she was slain without the camp, so Christ (compare Heb 13:11; Num 19:3-4). The ashes were laid by for constant use; so the continually cleansing effects of Christ's blood, once for all shed. In our wilderness journey we are continually contracting defilement by contact with the spiritually dead, and with dead works, and need therefore continual application to the antitypical life-giving cleansing blood of Christ, whereby we are afresh restored to peace and living communion with God in the heavenly holy place. the unclean--Greek, "those defiled" on any particular occasion. purifying--Greek, "purity." the flesh--Their effect in themselves extended no further. The law had a carnal and a spiritual aspect; carnal, as an instrument of the Hebrew polity, God, their King, accepting, in minor offenses, expiatory victims instead of the sinner, otherwise doomed to death; spiritual, as the shadow of good things to come (Heb 10:1). The spiritual Israelite derived, in partaking of these legal rights, spiritual blessings not flowing from them, but from the great antitype. Ceremonial sacrifices released from temporal penalties and ceremonial disqualifications; Christ's sacrifice releases from everlasting penalties (Heb 9:12), and moral impurities on the conscience disqualifying from access to God (Heb 9:14). The purification of the flesh (the mere outward man) was by "sprinkling"; the washing followed by inseparable connection (Num 19:19). So justification is followed by renewing.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

PROOF OF AND ENLARGEMENT ON, THE "ETERNAL REDEMPTION" MENTIONED IN Heb 9:12. (Heb. 9:13-28)

if--as we know is the case; so the Greek indicative means. Argument from the less to the greater. If the blood of mere brutes could purify in any, however small a degree, how much more shall inward purification, and complete and eternal salvation, be wrought by the blood of Christ, in whom dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead?

ashes of an heifer-- (Num 19:16-18). The type is full of comfort for us. The water of separation, made of the ashes of the red heifer, was the provision for removing ceremonial defilement whenever incurred by contact with the dead. As she was slain without the camp, so Christ (compare Heb 13:11; Num 19:3-4). The ashes were laid by for constant use; so the continually cleansing effects of Christ's blood, once for all shed. In our wilderness journey we are continually contracting defilement by contact with the spiritually dead, and with dead works, and need therefore continual application to the antitypical life-giving cleansing blood of Christ, whereby we are afresh restored to peace and living communion with God in the heavenly holy place.

the unclean--Greek, "those defiled" on any particular occasion.

purifying--Greek, "purity."

the flesh--Their effect in themselves extended no further. The law had a carnal and a spiritual aspect; carnal, as an instrument of the Hebrew polity, God, their King, accepting, in minor offenses, expiatory victims instead of the sinner, otherwise doomed to death; spiritual, as the shadow of good things to come (Heb 10:1). The spiritual Israelite derived, in partaking of these legal rights, spiritual blessings not flowing from them, but from the great antitype. Ceremonial sacrifices released from temporal penalties and ceremonial disqualifications; Christ's sacrifice releases from everlasting penalties (Heb 9:12), and moral impurities on the conscience disqualifying from access to God (Heb 9:14). The purification of the flesh (the mere outward man) was by "sprinkling"; the washing followed by inseparable connection (Num 19:19). So justification is followed by renewing.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
For if the blood of bulls and of goats - Referring still to the great day of atonement, when the offering made was the sacrifice of a bullock and a goat. And the ashes of an heifer - For an account of this, see Num 19:2-10. In ver. 9, it is said that the ashes of the heifer, after it was burnt, should be kept "for a water of separation; it is a purification for sin." That is, the ashes were to be carefully preserved, and being mixed with water were sprinkled on those who were from any cause ceremonially impure. The "reason" for this appears to have been that the heifer was considered as a sacrifice whose blood has been offered, and the application of the ashes to which she had been burnt was regarded as an evidence of participation in that sacrifice. It was needful, where the laws were so numerous respecting external pollutions, or where the members of the Jewish community were regarded as so frequently "unclean" by contact with dead bodies, and in various other ways, that there should be some method in which they could be declared to be cleansed from their "uncleanness." The nature of these institutions also required that this should be in connection with "sacrifice," and in order to this, it was arranged that there should be this "permanent sacrifice" - the ashes of the heifer that had been sacrificed - of which they could avail themselves at any time, without the expense and delay of making a bloody offering specifically for the occasion. It was, therefore, a provision of convenience, and at the same time was designed to keep up the idea, that all purification was somehow connected with the shedding of blood. Sprinkling the unclean - Mingled with water, and sprinkled on the unclean. The word "unclean" here refers to such as had been defiled by contact with dead bodies, or when one had died in the family, etc.; see Num 19:11-22. Sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh - Makes holy so far as the flesh or body is concerned. The uncleanness here referred to related to the body only, and of course the means of cleansing extended only to that. It was not designed to give peace to the conscience, or to expiate moral offences. The offering thus made removed the obstructions to the worship of God so far as to allow him who had been defiled to approach him in a regular manner. Thus, much the apostle allows was accomplished by the Jewish rites. They had an efficacy in removing ceremonial uncleanness, and in rendering it proper that he who had been polluted should be permitted again to approach and worship God. The apostle goes on to argue that if they had such an efficacy, it was fair to presume that the blood of Christ would have far greater efficacy, and would reach to the conscience itself, and make that pure.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Ashes of a heifer (σποδός δαμάλεως) Σποδός ashes, only here, Mat 11:21; Luk 10:13, in both instances in the phrase sackcloth and ashes. Often in lxx. Δαμάλις heifer, N.T.o. The two examples selected cover the entire legal provision for removing uncleanness, whether contracted by sin or by contact with death. "The blood of bulls and goats" refers to the sin-offerings, perhaps especially to the annual atonement (Leviticus 16); "the ashes of a heifer" to the occasional sacrifice of the red heifer (Numbers 19) for purification from uncleanness contracted by contact with the dead. The Levitical law required two remedies: the Christian economy furnishes one for all phases of defilement. Sprinkling the unclean (ῥαντίζουσα τοὺς κεκοινωμένους) For sprinkling see on Pe1 1:2. The verb only in Hebrews, except Mar 7:4. For the unclean rend. them that have been defiled. The literal rendering of the participle brings out better the incidental or occasional character of the defilement.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
If the ashes of an heifer - Consumed by fire as a sin - offering, being sprinkled on them who were legally unclean. Purified the flesh - Removed that legal uncleanness, and re - admitted them to the temple and the congregation. Num 19:17-19.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh - Answers the end proposed by the law; namely, to remove legal disabilities and punishments, having the body and its interests particularly in view, though adumbrating or typifying the soul and its concerns.

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¹⁹ And the clean [02889] person shall sprinkle [05137] upon the unclean [02931] on the third [07992] day [03117], and on the seventh [07637] day [03117]: and on the seventh [07637] day [03117] he shall purify [02398] himself, and wash [03526] his clothes [0899], and bathe [07364] himself in water [04325], and shall be clean [02891] at even [06153].

¹⁴ How much [4214] more [3123] shall [2511] the blood [129] of Christ [5547], who [3739] through [1223] the eternal [166] Spirit [4151] offered [4374] himself [1438] without spot [299] to God [2316], purge [2511] your [5216] conscience [4893] from [575] dead [3498] works [2041] to [1519] serve [3000] the living [2198] God [2316]?

¹² Neither [3761] by [1223] the blood [129] of goats [5131] and [2532] calves [3448], but [1161] by [1223] his own [2398] blood [129] he entered in [1525] once [2178] into [1519] the holy place [39], having obtained [2147] eternal [166] redemption [3085] for us.

¹ For [1063] the law [3551] having [2192] a shadow [4639] of good things [18] to come [3195], and not [3756] the very [846] image [1504] of the things [4229], can [1410] never [3763] with those [846] sacrifices [2378] which [3739] they offered [4374] year by year [2596] [1763] continually [1519] [1336] make [5048] the comers thereunto [4334] perfect [5048].

³ And ye shall give [05414] her unto Eleazar [0499] the priest [03548], that he may bring her forth [03318] without [02351] the camp [04264], and one shall slay [07819] her before [06440] his face:
⁴ And Eleazar [0499] the priest [03548] shall take [03947] of her blood [01818] with his finger [0676], and sprinkle [05137] of her blood [01818] directly [05227] before [06440] the tabernacle [0168] of the congregation [04150] seven [07651] times [06471]:

¹¹ For [1063] the bodies [4983] of those [5130] beasts [2226], whose [3739] blood [129] is brought [1533] into [1519] the sanctuary [39] by [1223] the high priest [749] for [4012] sin [266], are burned [2618] without [1854] the camp [3925].

¹⁶ And whosoever toucheth [05060] one that is slain [02491] with a sword [02719] in the open [06440] fields [07704], or a dead body [04191], or a bone [06106] of a man [0120], or a grave [06913], shall be unclean [02930] seven [07651] days [03117].
¹⁷ And for an unclean [02931] person they shall take [03947] of the ashes [06083] of the burnt heifer [08316] of purification for sin [02403], and running [02416] water [04325] shall be put [05414] thereto in a vessel [03627]:
¹⁸ And a clean [02889] person [0376] shall take [03947] hyssop [0231], and dip [02881] it in the water [04325], and sprinkle [05137] it upon the tent [0168], and upon all the vessels [03627], and upon the persons [05315] that were there, and upon him that touched [05060] a bone [06106], or one slain [02491], or one dead [04191], or a grave [06913]:

¹¹ He that toucheth [05060] the dead [04191] body [05315] of any man [0120] shall be unclean [02930] seven [07651] days [03117].
¹² He shall purify [02398] himself with it on the third [07992] day [03117], and on the seventh [07637] day [03117] he shall be clean [02891]: but if he purify [02398] not himself the third [07992] day [03117], then the seventh [07637] day [03117] he shall not be clean [02891].
¹³ Whosoever toucheth [05060] the dead [04191] body [05315] of any man [0120] that is dead [04191], and purifieth [02398] not himself, defileth [02930] the tabernacle [04908] of the LORD [03068]; and that soul [05315] shall be cut off [03772] from Israel [03478]: because the water [04325] of separation [05079] was not sprinkled [02236] upon him, he shall be unclean [02931]; his uncleanness [02932] is yet upon him.
¹⁴ This is the law [08451], when a man [0120] dieth [04191] in a tent [0168]: all that come [0935] into the tent [0168], and all that is in the tent [0168], shall be unclean [02930] seven [07651] days [03117].
¹⁵ And every open [06605] vessel [03627], which hath no covering [06781] bound [06616] upon it, is unclean [02931].
¹⁶ And whosoever toucheth [05060] one that is slain [02491] with a sword [02719] in the open [06440] fields [07704], or a dead body [04191], or a bone [06106] of a man [0120], or a grave [06913], shall be unclean [02930] seven [07651] days [03117].
¹⁷ And for an unclean [02931] person they shall take [03947] of the ashes [06083] of the burnt heifer [08316] of purification for sin [02403], and running [02416] water [04325] shall be put [05414] thereto in a vessel [03627]:
¹⁸ And a clean [02889] person [0376] shall take [03947] hyssop [0231], and dip [02881] it in the water [04325], and sprinkle [05137] it upon the tent [0168], and upon all the vessels [03627], and upon the persons [05315] that were there, and upon him that touched [05060] a bone [06106], or one slain [02491], or one dead [04191], or a grave [06913]:
¹⁹ And the clean [02889] person shall sprinkle [05137] upon the unclean [02931] on the third [07992] day [03117], and on the seventh [07637] day [03117]: and on the seventh [07637] day [03117] he shall purify [02398] himself, and wash [03526] his clothes [0899], and bathe [07364] himself in water [04325], and shall be clean [02891] at even [06153].
²⁰ But the man [0376] that shall be unclean [02930], and shall not purify [02398] himself, that soul [05315] shall be cut off [03772] from among [08432] the congregation [06951], because he hath defiled [02930] the sanctuary [04720] of the LORD [03068]: the water [04325] of separation [05079] hath not been sprinkled [02236] upon him; he is unclean [02931].
²¹ And it shall be a perpetual [05769] statute [02708] unto them, that he that sprinkleth [05137] the water [04325] of separation [05079] shall wash [03526] his clothes [0899]; and he that toucheth [05060] the water [04325] of separation [05079] shall be unclean [02930] until even [06153].
²² And whatsoever the unclean [02931] person toucheth [05060] shall be unclean [02930]; and the soul [05315] that toucheth [05060] it shall be unclean [02930] until even [06153].

² This is the ordinance [02708] of the law [08451] which the LORD [03068] hath commanded [06680], saying [0559], Speak [01696] unto the children [01121] of Israel [03478], that they bring [03947] thee a red [0122] heifer [06510] without spot [08549], wherein is no blemish [03971], and upon which never [03808] came [05927] yoke [05923]:
³ And ye shall give [05414] her unto Eleazar [0499] the priest [03548], that he may bring her forth [03318] without [02351] the camp [04264], and one shall slay [07819] her before [06440] his face:
⁴ And Eleazar [0499] the priest [03548] shall take [03947] of her blood [01818] with his finger [0676], and sprinkle [05137] of her blood [01818] directly [05227] before [06440] the tabernacle [0168] of the congregation [04150] seven [07651] times [06471]:
⁵ And one shall burn [08313] the heifer [06510] in his sight [05869]; her skin [05785], and her flesh [01320], and her blood [01818], with her dung [06569], shall he burn [08313]:
⁶ And the priest [03548] shall take [03947] cedar [0730] wood [06086], and hyssop [0231], and scarlet [08438] [08144], and cast [07993] it into the midst [08432] of the burning [08316] of the heifer [06510].
⁷ Then the priest [03548] shall wash [03526] his clothes [0899], and he shall bathe [07364] his flesh [01320] in water [04325], and afterward [0310] he shall come [0935] into the camp [04264], and the priest [03548] shall be unclean [02930] until the even [06153].
⁸ And he that burneth [08313] her shall wash [03526] his clothes [0899] in water [04325], and bathe [07364] his flesh [01320] in water [04325], and shall be unclean [02930] until the even [06153].
⁹ And a man [0376] that is clean [02889] shall gather [0622] up the ashes [0665] of the heifer [06510], and lay them up [03240] without [02351] the camp [04264] in a clean [02889] place [04725], and it shall be kept [04931] for the congregation [05712] of the children [01121] of Israel [03478] for a water [04325] of separation [05079]: it is a purification for sin [02403].
¹⁰ And he that gathereth [0622] the ashes [0665] of the heifer [06510] shall wash [03526] his clothes [0899], and be unclean [02930] until the even [06153]: and it shall be unto the children [01121] of Israel [03478], and unto the stranger [01616] that sojourneth [01481] among [08432] them, for a statute [02708] for ever [05769].

⁴ And [2532] when they come from [575] the market [58], except [3362] they wash [907], they eat [2068] not [3756]. And [2532] many [4183] other things [243] there be [2076], which [3739] they have received [3880] to hold [2902], as the washing [909] of cups [4221], and [2532] pots [3582], [2532] brasen vessels [5473], and [2532] of tables [2825].

² Elect [1588] according [2596] to the foreknowledge [4268] of God [2316] the Father [3962], through [1722] sanctification [38] of the Spirit [4151], unto [1519] obedience [5218] and [2532] sprinkling [4473] of the blood [129] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]: Grace [5485] unto you [5213], and [2532] peace [1515], be multiplied [4129].

¹³ Woe [3759] unto thee [4671], Chorazin [5523]! woe [3759] unto thee [4671], Bethsaida [966]! for [3754] if [1487] the mighty works [1411] had been done [1096] in [1722] Tyre [5184] and [2532] Sidon [4605], which [3588] have been done [1096] in [1722] you [5213], they had [3340] a great while ago [3819] repented [3340], sitting [2521] in [302] [1722] sackcloth [4526] and [2532] ashes [4700].

²¹ Woe [3759] unto thee [4671], Chorazin [5523]! woe [3759] unto thee [4671], Bethsaida [966]! for [3754] if [1487] the mighty works [1411], which [3588] were done [1096] in [1722] you [5213], had been done [1096] in [1722] Tyre [5184] and [2532] Sidon [4605], they would have repented [3340] long ago [302] [3819] in [1722] sackcloth [4526] and [2532] ashes [4700].

¹⁷ And for an unclean [02931] person they shall take [03947] of the ashes [06083] of the burnt heifer [08316] of purification for sin [02403], and running [02416] water [04325] shall be put [05414] thereto in a vessel [03627]:
¹⁸ And a clean [02889] person [0376] shall take [03947] hyssop [0231], and dip [02881] it in the water [04325], and sprinkle [05137] it upon the tent [0168], and upon all the vessels [03627], and upon the persons [05315] that were there, and upon him that touched [05060] a bone [06106], or one slain [02491], or one dead [04191], or a grave [06913]:
¹⁹ And the clean [02889] person shall sprinkle [05137] upon the unclean [02931] on the third [07992] day [03117], and on the seventh [07637] day [03117]: and on the seventh [07637] day [03117] he shall purify [02398] himself, and wash [03526] his clothes [0899], and bathe [07364] himself in water [04325], and shall be clean [02891] at even [06153].