We have an altarThis phrase signifies the spiritual altar of the New Covenant, contrasting with the physical altar of the Old Covenant. In the context of Hebrews, the altar represents the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is both the high priest and the offering. This altar is not a physical structure but a spiritual reality, emphasizing the believer's access to God through Christ's atoning work. The concept of an altar is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, where altars were central to worship and sacrifice. However, the New Covenant altar is superior, as it is based on the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus, fulfilling and surpassing the Old Testament sacrificial system.
from which those who serve at the tabernacle
This refers to the Levitical priests who served in the earthly tabernacle, performing rituals and sacrifices according to the Mosaic Law. The tabernacle was a temporary, movable structure used by the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings and later replaced by the temple in Jerusalem. The priests had specific duties and privileges, including eating portions of certain sacrifices. However, the author of Hebrews highlights the limitations of the Levitical priesthood and the tabernacle system, which were shadows of the heavenly realities fulfilled in Christ. The tabernacle and its services pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, who entered the heavenly sanctuary on behalf of believers.
have no right to eat.
This phrase underscores the exclusivity of the New Covenant altar. Those who continue to rely on the Old Covenant system, represented by the tabernacle, do not partake in the benefits of Christ's sacrifice. The right to "eat" symbolizes participation in the spiritual blessings and eternal life offered through Jesus. In the Old Testament, eating from the altar was a privilege for the priests, but in the New Covenant, all believers are invited to partake in the spiritual nourishment provided by Christ. This reflects the broader theme of Hebrews, which encourages believers to move beyond the old system and embrace the new and living way opened by Jesus. The imagery of eating also connects to the Lord's Supper, where believers remember and proclaim the Lord's death until He comes, signifying their participation in the New Covenant.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The Author of HebrewsTraditionally attributed to Paul, though the exact authorship is uncertain. The author writes to Jewish Christians, encouraging them to remain faithful to Christ.
2.
Jewish ChristiansThe primary audience of the letter, who were familiar with Jewish customs and the sacrificial system of the Old Testament.
3.
The TabernacleThe portable earthly dwelling place of God used by the Israelites from the Exodus until the building of Solomon's Temple. It was central to Jewish worship and sacrificial practices.
4.
The AltarIn the context of Hebrews, this refers to the spiritual altar of the New Covenant, symbolizing the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
5.
Levitical PriestsThose who served in the tabernacle, performing sacrifices and rituals according to the Old Covenant.
Teaching Points
The Supremacy of Christ's SacrificeChrist's sacrifice on the cross is superior to the Old Covenant sacrifices. Believers have access to a spiritual altar that offers eternal sustenance and forgiveness.
Separation from the Old CovenantThe New Covenant in Christ calls believers to move beyond the rituals of the Old Covenant, embracing the fullness of life in Christ.
Spiritual NourishmentJust as physical food sustains the body, Christ's sacrifice provides spiritual nourishment. Believers are called to partake in this through faith and communion.
Exclusive Access through ChristOnly those who are in Christ have the right to partake in the benefits of His sacrifice. This exclusivity emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus.
Living a Sacrificial LifeAs followers of Christ, believers are called to live sacrificially, offering themselves as living sacrifices in service to God and others.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Hebrews 13:10?
2. How does Hebrews 13:10 emphasize the superiority of Christ's sacrifice over the old altar?
3. What does Hebrews 13:10 teach about the exclusivity of access to God's altar?
4. How can Hebrews 13:10 deepen our understanding of the New Covenant in Christ?
5. In what ways can we apply Hebrews 13:10 to our daily worship practices?
6. How does Hebrews 13:10 connect to Old Testament teachings on sacrificial systems?
7. What is the significance of the altar mentioned in Hebrews 13:10 for Christians today?
8. How does Hebrews 13:10 relate to the Old Testament sacrificial system?
9. Why are those who serve the tabernacle excluded from eating at the altar in Hebrews 13:10?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 13?
11. What defines an altar?
12. What constitutes anointing oil?
13. Does Hebrews 13:10's mention of an altar contradict Old Testament laws allowing priests to eat sacrifices?
14. What are the Songs of Ascent in the Bible?What Does Hebrews 13:10 Mean
We have an altarHebrews 13:10 begins, “We have an altar…”
• The writer speaks to believers who have trusted Christ; the “we” points to the redeemed community (1 Peter 2:9–10, 1 Corinthians 1:2).
• This altar is not a physical structure in Jerusalem but the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary (Hebrews 10:12–14, Hebrews 9:11–12).
• At this altar our sins are removed, our consciences cleansed, and our access to God secured (Hebrews 10:19–22, Ephesians 2:13).
• Because the altar is Christ Himself, it cannot be added to, repeated, or replaced (Acts 4:12, John 14:6).
Those who serve at the tabernacle“…from which those who serve at the tabernacle…”
• “Those who serve” refers to priests tied to the old covenant system—daily sacrifices, ritual washings, and dietary laws (Exodus 29:38–42, Numbers 18:1–7).
• Their ministry was designed to be temporary and preparatory, foreshadowing the perfect Priest and sacrifice to come (Hebrews 8:3–5, Galatians 3:24).
• Persisting in the tabernacle service after Christ’s cross shows a refusal to embrace the fulfillment of all those symbols (Hebrews 10:1, Colossians 2:16–17).
Have no right to eat“…have no right to eat.”
• Under the old covenant, priests ate portions of certain sacrifices (Leviticus 6:26, 7:6). Participation signified covenant fellowship.
• Because Jesus’ sacrifice ends that system, anyone clinging to the tabernacle service forfeits the privilege of sharing in Christ’s altar—His saving grace (John 6:53–58, Hebrews 9:26).
• The “right” is granted solely through faith in the finished work of the Son (Romans 5:1–2, Hebrews 4:14–16). No religious pedigree or ritual can qualify a person (Philippians 3:3–9).
• The verse underscores an either-or: trust the obsolete shadows or come to the living altar; both cannot be mixed (Hebrews 13:9, Acts 15:10–11).
summaryHebrews 13:10 contrasts two ways of approach to God. Believers possess a living altar—Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice. Those who stay with the tabernacle system, rejecting Christ’s fulfillment, are barred from its benefits. The verse calls every reader to leave the shadows and feed on the grace found only at the cross.
(10, 11) "We need not such profitless teaching; we already have sustenance which is 'meat indeed,' by which the heart is established." According to the Law, the priests (they. who "serve the Tabernacle," see
Hebrews 8:5) received for themselves a greater or smaller portion of the animals offered as peace-offerings and trespass-offerings; in some cases, also, the flesh of the sin-offerings fell to their lot (Leviticus 4, 5, 7, 23). When the high priest presented a sin-offering on his own behalf (
Leviticus 4:3-12), or for the congregation (
Hebrews 13:13-21), he sprinkled some of the blood in the Holy Place in front of the veil; on the Day of Atonement alone was the blood taken within the veil into the Most Holy Place. In the case of these three offerings the priest received no part of the animal sacrificed; certain portions were burnt on the altar of burnt-offering, and the rest of the body was carried forth "without the camp," and wholly consumed by fire. Though the writer here speaks of animals whose blood is brought into
the Holy Place through the high priest, as an offering for sin, it is probable that (as in Hebrews 5-9) he has in thought the Day of Atonement only, so that here "the Holy Place" bears the sense of the "Holiest of all." (See Note on
Hebrews 9:2.) (It will be noted that throughout he uses the present tense; see the same Note). For us there is but one sacrifice for sin, the efficacy of which endures for ever (
Hebrews 10:12): Jesus entering the Holiest Place for us in virtue of His own sacrifice has fulfilled the type contained in the high priest's sprinkling of the blood. But whereas those priests might not eat of their sin-offering, to us greater privilege is given; we feed on Him who was slain for us, whose flesh war for the life of the world (
John 6:51-56). We then (who are all "priests unto God") "have an altar of which," on the very principles of their Law, "they that serve the Tabernacle (see
Hebrews 8:5) have no right to eat." The stress is laid on the
sacrifice, of which we eat, not upon the altar itself. If separately interpreted, the altar will be the place of sacrifice, the Cross. . . .
Verse 10. -
We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. Here there is a plain allusion to the eating of offered sacrifices. If, then, there was no such allusion in the preceding verse, what is the connection of thought? It appears to be this: "Some would teach you that meats are of religious importance. Nay, but what are meats to us who have Christ himself for our spiritual food? This is our peculiar privilege, not shared by the very priests of the old dispensation." Then, in ver. 11, "That this is so is shown by the very symbolism of the Day of Atonement." Then, in ver. 12, "Let us, then, be well content to leave Judaism entirely, and cleave to Christ alone." By "those that serve (
λατρεύοντες) the tabernacle" are meant the priests of the Law, whose service is, as in former passages, referred to as still going on. It is evidently implied that we
have the right which they have not.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
We haveἜχομεν (Echomen)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.an altarθυσιαστήριον (thysiastērion)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2379: An altar (for sacrifice). From a derivative of thusia; a place of sacrifice, i.e. An altar.fromἐξ (ex)Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.whichοὗ (hou)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that. those whoοἱ (hoi)Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.serveλατρεύοντες (latreuontes)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3000: To serve, especially God, perhaps simply: I worship. From latris; to minister, i.e. Render religious homage.at theτῇ (tē)Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.tabernacleσκηνῇ (skēnē)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4633: A tent, booth, tabernacle, abode, dwelling, mansion, habitation. Apparently akin to skeuos and skia; a tent or cloth hut.haveἔχουσιν (echousin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.noοὐκ (ouk)Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.rightἐξουσίαν (exousian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.to eat.φαγεῖν (phagein)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 5315: A primary verb; to eat.
Links
Hebrews 13:10 NIVHebrews 13:10 NLTHebrews 13:10 ESVHebrews 13:10 NASBHebrews 13:10 KJV
Hebrews 13:10 BibleApps.comHebrews 13:10 Biblia ParalelaHebrews 13:10 Chinese BibleHebrews 13:10 French BibleHebrews 13:10 Catholic Bible
NT Letters: Hebrews 13:10 We have an altar from which those (Heb. He. Hb) 
