• Hebrews 9:4
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 4 χρυσοῦν golden ἔχουσα having θυμιατήριον censer καὶ and τὴν the κιβωτὸν ark τῆς of the διαθήκης covenant περικεκαλυμμένην having been covered about πάντοθεν from every [place] χρυσίῳ, to gold, ἐν in ᾗ which στάμνος jar χρυσῆ golden ἔχουσα having τὸ the μάννα manna καὶ and ἡ the ῥάβδος staff ᾿Ααρὼν of Aaron ἡ the (one) βλαστήσασα having made sprouts καὶ and αἱ the πλάκες tablets τῆς of the διαθήκης, covenant,

  • Hebrews 9:4
    The Bible in Living English

    • 4 with a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant coated all over with gold, in which there were a gold jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s stick that sprouted, and the tablets of the covenant;

  • Hebrews 9:4
    American Standard Version

    • 4 having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was a golden pot holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

  • Hebrews 9:4
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 4 Having a golden altar of incense And the ark of the covenant covered around on every side with gold, In which was a golden jar holding the manna And the rod of Aaron that sprouted And the tables of the covenant;

  • Hebrews 9:4
    King James Version

    • 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

  • Hebrews Study Notes—Chapter 9
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 9:4

      a golden censer: Censers were utensils used for burning incense. Here Paul mentions “a golden censer” as one of the sacred objects used in the Most Holy. (Heb 9:1, 3) This censer, or “fire holder,” was taken into the Most Holy by the high priest on Atonement Day. (Le 16:12, 13) The Greek word here used basically means “a place or vessel for the burning of incense,” and many translations use “altar of incense” at Heb 9:4. However, the rendering “censer” seems to be more fitting. The Septuagint uses this Greek word to refer to “a censer.” (2Ch 26:19; Eze 8:11; LXX) Moreover, in the tabernacle the altar of incense was actually located, not in the Most Holy compartment, but in the Holy compartment, immediately outside the curtain that separated the Holy from the Most Holy.​—Ex 30:1, 6; 1Ki 6:22.

      ark of the covenant: See Glossary and App. B5.

      the golden jar containing the manna and Aaron’s rod that budded: Paul states that these items were kept in the ark of the covenant. They served as reminders of significant events that occurred during the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness. (Ex 16:14, 15, 31-33; Nu 17:1-9) Both items were to be placed “before [or, “next to”] the Testimony,” apparently referring to the “two tablets of the Testimony.” (Ex 16:34; 31:18; Nu 17:10, 11; see Glossary, “Testimony.”) So once the ark of the covenant was constructed and “the Testimony” was deposited inside the Ark, the jar of manna and Aaron’s rod were also kept there. (Ex 25:16) However, the jar and the rod were evidently removed from the Ark sometime before the dedication of Solomon’s temple.​—1Ki 8:9; 2Ch 5:10.