41. Hebrews 9:8

Ford argues that “the first tabernacle” in Hebrews 9:8 means “the first apartment,” and that Hebrews 9:9, 10 are a “commentary on the ministry of the first apartment.” Of the Greek term TA HAGIA in Hebrews 9:8 (translated “holiest of all” in the King James Version), Ford declares that it is “impossible to contend that the term embraces both apartments.” He interprets this passage to mean that “the first apartment stands for the era before the cross, but the second apartment for the era after the cross” (Ford, pages 165167). Is Ford’s position correct?QSEW 31.1

Some Bible translations, such as the New International Version, appear to support Ford’s conclusion, but the context does not; neither do translations by Phillips, Rotherham, Knox or the New English Bible. The contrast in Hebrews 9:8 is not between the first and second apartments and what they stand for, but between the earthly sanctuary and the heavenly sanctuary. The context of Hebrews 9:8-10 requires that “the first tabernacle” of verse 8 be understood to be the entire earthly sanctuary. Not just the first apartment of that sanctuary. Furthermore, Ford is mistaken in insisting that TA HAGIA cannot mean both apartments for that is precisely what it does mean in Hebrews 13:11 where TA HAGIA (“the sanctuary”) clearly includes both apartments. See Leviticus 4:13-21; 16:15-27.QSEW 31.2

Hebrews 9:8 does not teach that in 31 AD Christ began a heavenly ministry which was the counterpart of the ministry of the high priest in the second apartment of the earthly sanctuary.QSEW 31.3