Hebrews 9:23 web — It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly…

World English Bible

"It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these."

— Hebrews 9:23, World English Bible

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Hebrews 9:23 in Other Translations

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Hebrews 9 — Context

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saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you."

21

Moreover he sprinkled the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry in the same way with the blood.

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According to the law, nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.

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It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

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For Christ hasn't entered into holy places made with hands, which are representations of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;

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nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place year by year with blood not his own,

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or else he must have suffered often since the foundation of the world. But now once at the end of the ages, he has been revealed to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Hebrews 9:23 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Hebrews 9:23 say?
Hebrews 9:23 in the World English Bible reads: “It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.”
Where is Hebrews 9:23 in the Bible?
Hebrews 9:23 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Hebrews, chapter 9, verse 23.
Who wrote Hebrews?
Hebrews is traditionally attributed to Anonymous. Authorship has been debated since the earliest centuries — candidates include Paul, Apollos, Barnabas, Luke, and Priscilla. The letter itself is anonymous and the most honest answer is that we do not know. It was written c. AD 60–70.
What is the book of Hebrews about?
Hebrews is a sermon-letter showing that everything in the Old Covenant — priests, sacrifices, the tabernacle — pointed to Jesus, who is "better" in every way. It calls a tired church to draw near with confidence, hold fast their hope, and run the race set before them.
What are the major themes of Hebrews?
Hebrews explores themes including Supremacy of Christ, New Covenant, Priesthood, Faith, Perseverance. These themes shape the meaning and context of Hebrews 9:23.
What translation should I read Hebrews 9:23 in?
Hebrews 9:23 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Hebrews 9:23?
Hebrews 9:23 reads (WEB): “It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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