Hebrews 9:8

Holy Ghost. Or, “Holy Spirit.” The Spirit is the divine interpreter of truth (see on John 14:26).

Signifying. Compare 1 Peter 1:11.

Holiest of all. Greek ta hagia, “the holies,” or “the holy [places]” (see on chs. 8:2; 9:24, 25). The context makes clear that ta hagia here refers to that “greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands” (Hebrews 9:11), that is, the heavenly sanctuary (cf. vs. 24, 25).

True, the translators of the KJV rendered ta hagia “holiest of all.” But it does not follow that they had in mind the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. It is doubtful that they held any detailed views concerning that sanctuary. They apparently thought of the heavenly sanctuary, or of “heaven itself,” where Jesus went (v. 24), as the holiest place of all, corresponding to the most holy place in the earthly sanctuary. However, it should be remembered that the meaning of the passage must be decided not by an English translation but by the Greek, with careful attention being given to grammar and syntax.

First tabernacle. Some hold that this expression refers to the first apartment of the earthly sanctuary. This view is based on the fact that in vs. 2, 6 the expression is thus used. Since vs. 6-8 are closely connected, proponents of this view maintain that the force and logic of this passage would be lessened if “first tabernacle” were not given the same meaning in v. 8 as is given to it in v. 6.

Others hold that “first tabernacle” as here used refers to the whole Mosaic tabernacle contrasted with the heavenly tabernacle (Hebrews 8:2). They declare that Paul’s purpose is to contrast the sanctuaries of the two covenants (Hebrews 9:1), and that v. 8 teaches that the service in heaven could not begin till the earthly service was closed.

Both views are consistent with Paul’s thesis that Christ’s high-priestly ministry in the “more perfect tabernacle” (v. 11) could not begin until the earthly tabernacle service ended.

Was yet standing. Rather, “is yet standing.” The Greek does not necessarily denote the standing of the building as such, but may have reference to the validity of the functions of the building. For the sense in which the “first tabernacle” was still standing, see on v. 9. The phrase “was yet standing” may thus mean, “is filling its appointed place,” or “is retaining its divinely appointed status.”