Hebrews 9:23 says that the earthly copies of heavenly realities had to be purified with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly realities themselves needed far better sacrifice. The author of Hebrews is making a comparison between the Jewish tabernacle system and the work of Christ, and he uses this verse to show why Christ’s sacrifice is superior. The letter was written to Jewish Christians who were tempted to return to the old temple worship.
It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Hebrews 9:23 (WEB)
What Hebrews 9:23 Means
The verse begins with “copies of the things in the heavens.” The author sees the tabernacle, with its altar, lampstand and curtains, as a copy or sketch of a greater reality in heaven. When he says these copies were “cleansed with these,” he means the animal blood and ceremonial rites described just before in verses 19 to 22. Those rituals were the only way to make the earthly sanctuary clean enough to approach God.
The second half turns the picture around. The heavenly things themselves need “better sacrifices than these.” The author is not saying heaven is dirty, but that God’s real dwelling place and the relationship it represents require a sacrifice that goes beyond anything the old system could provide. The verse does not promise that every believer will understand every detail of heavenly worship. It points you toward the greater sacrifice that Christ offers.
The Context of Hebrews 9:23
Hebrews is a sermon-like letter, probably written to a community of Jewish believers who knew the temple well. The author does not name himself, and early Christians debated who wrote it, though the church has long valued it as Scripture. His aim is to show that Jesus is greater than angels, Moses, and the Levitical priests. Chapters 8 and 9 contrast the old covenant tabernacle with the new covenant Christ established.
The verses just before this one describe Moses sprinkling blood on the people and the tabernacle to seal the covenant. Verses 24 to 26 pick up the thought, saying Christ entered heaven itself rather than a man-made sanctuary, and that he offered himself once for all rather than repeatedly like the high priest on the Day of Atonement. Read in this setting, verse 23 is the hinge: the earthly copies were purified by blood, and the heavenly reality is addressed by Christ’s better offering.
Key Phrases in Hebrews 9:23
Hebrews 9:24
For Christ hasn’t entered into holy places made with hands, which are representations of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us…
(WEB)
This verse continues the thought directly, explaining that Christ entered heaven itself rather than a human-made sanctuary. It shows you where the “better sacrifice” was taken.
Hebrews 10:12
But he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God…
(WEB)
This verse highlights that Christ offered one sacrifice for sins for all time. It connects the contrast between the repeated rituals of the old covenant and the finished work of Christ.
A Short Prayer From Hebrews 9:23
Father, thank you that the old sacrifices pointed to something greater and that Christ has fulfilled what they could only represent. I confess that I often try to cover my own failures with effort instead of resting in your provision. Help me trust the better sacrifice of Jesus and bring my guilt to you honestly each day. Let your cleansing shape how I live, how I forgive, and how I come before you. Amen.
