How does Hebrews 9:19-22 connect to the events in Exodus 24:6? Scripture Texts “For when Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, together with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people, saying, ‘This is the blood of the covenant that God has commanded you to keep.’ In the same way, he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and every article of worship. According to the law, nearly everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” “Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and the other half he sprinkled on the altar… Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, ‘Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you concerning all these words.’” Setting the Scene • Mount Sinai, after the Ten Commandments. • Sacrifices: young bulls offered as burnt offerings and peace offerings (Exodus 24:5). • Book of the Covenant read aloud; people vow, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do” (Exodus 24:7). • Blood divided: half on the altar (God’s side), half on the people (human side). Hebrews 9 Recalls the Scene • Writer cites Moses’ dual sprinkling of blood to illustrate how covenant relationship was inaugurated. • Adds details (water, scarlet wool, hyssop) familiar from purification rites (Leviticus 14:4-7; Numbers 19:6-18). • Emphasizes the foundational principle: “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). Key Parallels Between the Passages • Blood central in both—inseparable from covenant. • Sprinkling covers people and sacred objects, signifying comprehensive cleansing. • Covenant formula repeated: “blood of the covenant” (Exodus 24:8; Hebrews 9:20). • Mediator role: Moses in Exodus; Christ implied in Hebrews. Purpose of the Blood • Seals the covenant commitment—legally ratifies the agreement (Galatians 3:15). • Cleanses and consecrates worshipers (Leviticus 17:11). • Visibly unites God and His people in a shared sacrifice. Fulfillment in Christ • Jesus identifies His own death with Exodus 24: “This is My blood of the covenant” (Matthew 26:28). • Hebrews shows Moses’ act as a foreshadowing; Christ’s blood inaugurates the “better covenant” (Hebrews 8:6). • Once-for-all sacrifice replaces repeated animal offerings (Hebrews 9:25-26). Cleansing Realities • Old covenant: external sprinkling pointed to internal need (Hebrews 9:13). • New covenant: Christ’s blood “purifies our consciences” (Hebrews 9:14). • Ongoing access: “sprinkled with His blood” (1 Peter 1:2) and “blood that speaks a better word than Abel” (Hebrews 12:24). Takeaways • Exodus 24 provides the historical backdrop; Hebrews 9 provides Spirit-inspired commentary. • Both passages underscore that covenant fellowship with God is impossible without sacrificial blood. • The shadow (bulls and goats) finds substance in the cross; confidence before God now rests on the finished work of Christ. |
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