Hebrews 9:11
But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
Hebrews 9:11 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, the author of Hebrews is illustrating the superiority of Christ's priesthood compared to the Levitical priesthood. Christ is described as a high priest of good things to come, signifying the hope and future blessings that believers can expect through Him. The mention of a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands refers to the heavenly sanctuary where Christ serves as High Priest, contrasting it with the earthly tabernacle or temple. This heavenly tabernacle represents the eternal and unchanging nature of Christ's priesthood, in contrast to the temporary and limited nature of the Levitical priesthood. By highlighting the spiritual and eternal qualities of Christ's priesthood, the author emphasizes the superiority and importance of Christ's role as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity.
Theological Overview
One theological interpretation of this verse is that it emphasizes the superiority of Christ as a high priest in comparison to the Levitical priesthood. The phrase "an high priest of good things to come" points to the future blessings and salvation that Christ brings. The mention of a "greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands" refers to the heavenly sanctuary where Christ now ministers on behalf of believers. This contrasts with the earthly tabernacle made by human hands, highlighting the divine origin and eternal nature of Christ's priesthood. By emphasizing Christ's role as a high priest of greater things to come and His association with a heavenly tabernacle, the verse underscores the spiritual significance and permanence of His priesthood compared to the temporary and symbolic nature of the Levitical priesthood.
Hebrews 9:11 in other translations
American Standard Version
But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation,
World English Bible
But Christ having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation,
Douay-Rheims
But Christ, being come an high Priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hand, that is, not of this creation:
Geneva Bible (1599)
But Christ being come an high Priest of good things to come, by a greater and a more perfect Tabernacle, not made with handes, that is, not of this building,