Hebrews 9:13

Authorized King James Version

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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:

Original Language Analysis

εἰ if G1487
εἰ if
Strong's: G1487
Word #: 1 of 19
if, whether, that, etc
γὰρ For G1063
γὰρ For
Strong's: G1063
Word #: 2 of 19
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 3 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἷμα the blood G129
αἷμα the blood
Strong's: G129
Word #: 4 of 19
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
ταύρων of bulls G5022
ταύρων of bulls
Strong's: G5022
Word #: 5 of 19
a bullock
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 6 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τράγων of goats G5131
τράγων of goats
Strong's: G5131
Word #: 7 of 19
a he-goat (as a gnawer)
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 8 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σποδὸς the ashes G4700
σποδὸς the ashes
Strong's: G4700
Word #: 9 of 19
ashes
δαμάλεως of an heifer G1151
δαμάλεως of an heifer
Strong's: G1151
Word #: 10 of 19
a heifer (as tame)
ῥαντίζουσα sprinkling G4472
ῥαντίζουσα sprinkling
Strong's: G4472
Word #: 11 of 19
to render besprinkled, i.e., asperse (ceremonially or figuratively)
τοὺς G3588
τοὺς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 12 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κεκοινωμένους the unclean G2840
κεκοινωμένους the unclean
Strong's: G2840
Word #: 13 of 19
to make (or consider) profane (ceremonially)
ἁγιάζει sanctifieth G37
ἁγιάζει sanctifieth
Strong's: G37
Word #: 14 of 19
to make holy, i.e., (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate
πρὸς to G4314
πρὸς to
Strong's: G4314
Word #: 15 of 19
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 16 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 17 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σαρκὸς of the flesh G4561
σαρκὸς of the flesh
Strong's: G4561
Word #: 18 of 19
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
καθαρότητα the purifying G2514
καθαρότητα the purifying
Strong's: G2514
Word #: 19 of 19
cleanness (ceremonially)

Analysis & Commentary

If animal blood and ashes of a heifer 'sanctify for the purifying of the flesh,' how much more shall Christ's blood cleanse? The argument is from lesser to greater. The old covenant provisions genuinely accomplished ceremonial purification, restoring ritual fitness. But they were external only. Christ's sacrifice accomplishes infinitely more - actual, internal, spiritual cleansing. The rhetorical question expects the answer: 'infinitely more effectively.'

Historical Context

Numbers 19 prescribed the red heifer sacrifice whose ashes, mixed with water, purified from ceremonial defilement. This addressed external uncleanness but pointed to the greater cleansing Christ provides from actual sin and guilt.

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