This chapter begins a comparison between the two covenants. The first five verses deal with the earthly sanctuary and the priestly service rendered under the old. Then the Hebrew writer begins to compare that with what is in existence today under the new and better covenant.
Concerning verses 1-5, the tabernacle is discussed. It was the dwelling place of God under the old covenant until Solomon’s temple was built.
In addition to the outer court, the tabernacle had a tent with two compartments. The sanctuary which was entered daily by the priests in their ministry. The inner sanctum called the Holiest of All that contained the ark of the covenant. This was where God dwelt, between the cherubim, on the mercy seat (the lid of the ark). Into it only the high priest entered, and then only once a year.
The Hebrew writer describes both the tabernacle and its furnishings. It was not his intent to delve deeply into these things. “Of these things we cannot now speak in detail” (5). His purpose was to present them, and then contrast them with the spiritual aspects of Jesus’ rule as high priest, that they might see the differences, and note the superiority of the new.
