Hebrews 9:18-21

HEBREWS—NOTE ON Hebrews 9:18 Therefore. The Mosaic covenant also began with blood. The Mosaic covenant-initiation ceremony is recalled in vv. Hebrews 9:19 (see Exodus 24:3). The author adds some specific details, such as scarlet wool and hyssop, and the sprinkling of the book itself, which are not mentioned in Exodus 1:1. While the source of the author’s information is unknown, these details are not improbable, since these elements were used in other such purifying ceremonies (see esv cross-references; also Exodus 12:22). The purification of the tabernacle and its vessels is summarized in Hebrews 9:21, recalling the events of Exodus 40:1.