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Exegetical Paper

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Exegetical Paper
Introduction
Exegesis is one of the strategies that can help in deeper understanding of religious texts,
considering that most of them are written in parables, sometimes with humor, or irony, which
can lead to misunderstandings.1 Exegesis ensures that one understands the supporting details to
the text in question as well as how the text applies in the larger religious beliefs of the religion.
This paper presents the exegesis of Hebrews chapter 9 verses 11 to 12, outlining its relations to
the larger biblical readings as well as its meaning and value among Christians.
Hypothesis (an idea that you will test, or prove in your paper)
The text of the reading from the New International Version (NIV) is as below:
Hebrews 9:11-12
The Blood of Christ
11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, [a] he went
through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say,
is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but
he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining[b] eternal
redemption.
The main hypothesis from this reading is that Jesus came as a high priest, higher in
comparison to the Jewish priests; He brought good things with Him and redeemed humans by
His own blood, showing that He is not part of the humanly world.
Literary research

1

Baird, William. History of New Testament Research: From Jonathan Edwards to Rudolf Bultmann. New York:

Elsevier, 2013, 35.

2
Reading from the context of the whole chapter 9, and in specific regard to the stated
words, the verses mainly emphasize that Christ has come, and not only as Christ, who was
prophesied as the prince of peace, but also as a high priest.2 It informs and emphasizes the fact
that Jesus died by shedding a lot of blood for the atonement of sins, though He was blameless.
The verse also emphasizes the fact that Jesus overcame death and proceeded into heaven due to
the blood He had shed – showing that He had power not like any human being but of heavenly
prowess that is very much differentiated from the human potential.
The tone of the reading is mainly critical, emphasizing on the supremacy of Christ as a
unique human being with heavenly power and might.3 This is evident from the choice of words.
The use of the word tabernacle in binding in the reading, showing that Christ originated from
God Himself, from around God since God dwells in the tabernacle. This emphasized that Christ
has Godly power and has been ordained by God to bring good things to the world. Verse 12
emphasizes on the fact that Christ, through His own blood redeemed Himself from the dead, then
ascended into heaven and He has equally redeemed humanity to have the chance of joining God
in heaven if they live holy lives as He did.
The use of “but” at the start of verse 11 introduces a dramatic contrast, contrasting the
past and the present. This contrast sheds light on the fact that the blood used in the past – from
goats and calves, which could not atone for the sins of the lost sinner. The coming of Christ thus
sets a new record and moment in time where His blood alone could atone for the sins of all
humanity, now and in the future.

2

Ibid.

3

Ellis, E Earle, and Sang-Won Son. History and exegesis : New Testament essays in honor of Dr. E. Earle Ellis for

his 80th birthday. New York: T & T Clark, 2006, 52.

3
The main conflict that arises from the verse is that of emphasis. Emphasizing that the
coming of Christ brought new things where the blood of calves and goats could not again be
used for the atonement of sins but rather the blood of Christ, who died once and became
triumphant by the power of the Father who sent him that all humanity might be similarly
redeemed.4 The conflict is introduced by the use of the word “but” at the start of the sentence and
helps the reader to understand the point of view of the verse. The point of view of the verse is to
show evidence that shows that Christ was not a normal human being and that through His death
and resurrection, all o...