Heb 8:1, 9:24 | JFB | STEP | 1. the sum-- rather, "the principal point"; for the participle is present, not past, which would be required if the meaning were "the sum." "The chief point in (or, 'in the case'; so the Greek, , 15, 17) the things which we are speaking," literally, "which are being spoken." such-- so transcendently pre-eminent, namely in this respect, that "He is set on the right hand of," &c. Infinitely above all other priests in this one grand respect, He exercises His priesthood IN HEAVEN, not in the earthly "holiest place" ( ). The Levitical high priests, even when they entered the Holiest Place once a year, only STOOD for a brief space before the symbol of God's throne; but Jesus SITS on the throne of the Divine Majesty in the heaven itself, and this for ever ( , ).

‏ Hebrews 8:1

CHAPTER 8 He 8:1-13. Christ, the High Priest in the True Sanctuary, Superseding the Levitical Priesthood; the New Renders Obsolete the Old Covenant.

1. the sum--rather, "the principal point"; for the participle is present, not past, which would be required if the meaning were "the sum." "The chief point in (or, 'in the case'; so the Greek, He 9:10, 15, 17) the things which we are speaking," literally, "which are being spoken."

such--so transcendently pre-eminent, namely in this respect, that "He is set on the right hand of," &c. Infinitely above all other priests in this one grand respect, He exercises His priesthood IN HEAVEN, not in the earthly "holiest place" (He 10:12). The Levitical high priests, even when they entered the Holiest Place once a year, only STOOD for a brief space before the symbol of God's throne; but Jesus SITS on the throne of the Divine Majesty in the heaven itself, and this for ever (He 10:11, 12).

‏ Hebrews 9:24

24. Resumption more fully of the thought, "He entered in once into the holy place," He 9:12. He has in He 9:13, 14, expanded the words "by his own blood," He 9:12; and in He 9:15-23, he has enlarged on "an High Priest of good things to come."

not ... into ... holy places made with hands--as was the Holy of Holies in the earthly tabernacle (see on He 9:11).

figures--copies "of the true" holiest place, heaven, the original archetype (He 8:5).

into heaven itself--the immediate presence of the invisible God beyond all the created heavens, through which latter Jesus passed (see on He 4:14; 1Ti 6:16).

now--ever since His ascension in the present economy (compare He 9:26).

to appear--To PRESENT Himself; Greek, "to be made to appear." Mere man may have a vision through a medium, or veil, as Moses had (Ex 33:18, 20-23). Christ alone beholds the Father without a veil, and is His perfect image. Through seeing Him only can we see the Father.

in the presence of God--Greek, "to the face of God." The saints shall hereafter see God's face in Christ (Re 22:4): the earnest of which is now given (2Co 3:18). Aaron, the Levitical high priest for the people, stood before the ark and only saw the cloud, the symbol of God's glory (Ex 28:30).

for us--in our behalf as our Advocate and Intercessor (He 7:25; Ro 8:34; 1Jo 2:1). "It is enough that Jesus should show Himself for us to the Father: the sight of Jesus satisfied God in our behalf. He brings before the face of God no offering which has exhausted itself, and, as only sufficing for a time, needs renewal; but He himself is in person, by virtue of the eternal Spirit, that is, the imperishable life of His person, now and for ever freed from death, our eternally present offering before God" [Delitzsch in Alford].