Hebrews 13:10-11
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The verse isn't just talking about a literal altar versus a metaphorical one; it highlights the stark exclusivity of Christ's sacrifice. While the old covenant offered sacrifices where priests could eat from certain offerings, the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus means those clinging to the old system have absolutely no share in the true spiritual sustenance and forgiveness found only through Him.
We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is countering false teachings that emphasize Jewish ritual laws and dietary restrictions, arguing that these are now irrelevant because Christians have a far greater spiritual reality in Christ. He draws a parallel to Jewish sacrificial meals, where participation was a privilege, to highlight that while those clinging to the old covenant rituals have no claim to the benefits of Christ's sacrifice, believers do. This sets the stage for the following verses, which explain the nature of Christ's sacrifice and call believers to embrace it fully, even if it means leaving behind the familiar practices of Judaism.
The verse contrasts 'our altar' with the Old Testament 'tabernacle.' What exactly is this 'altar' Christians possess, and how is it fundamentally different?
The Bible doesn't point to a physical altar in our churches or even the cross as the primary 'altar' in Hebrews 13:10. Instead, 'our altar' is a powerful metaphor representing the entire salvific work of Christ. This includes his sacrifice on the cross, his atonement for our sins, and the access to God that this sacrifice provides.
Think of it as the foundational reality of reconciliation and forgiveness that comes through Jesus. While the cross is where the sacrifice happened, the 'altar' here encompasses the whole benefit and spiritual reality of that sacrifice: approaching God, receiving pardon, and being accepted.
This isn't something to be found within the old system of temple worship. It's a unique, profound spiritual reality available only through Christ.
The verse boldly declares that those serving the 'tabernacle' have 'no right to eat.' What does this exclusive right to 'eat' signify, and why are others excluded?
The imagery of 'eating' from the altar refers back to ancient Jewish sacrificial meals, particularly peace offerings and thank offerings. In these rituals, worshippers could eat a portion of the sacrificed animal, symbolizing their communion and fellowship with God and with each other.
When Hebrews 13:10 speaks of Christians having a right to 'eat' from 'our altar' (Christ's sacrifice), it means we are invited into intimate fellowship and communion with God through Jesus. We receive spiritual nourishment, sustenance, and life from His finished work.
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Those who 'serve the tabernacle' – meaning those who rigidly adhere to the old Levitical system and its ceremonies without accepting Christ – are excluded. Why? Because their system is superseded by Christ's sacrifice. To cling to the old ways is to reject the new reality. They cannot partake in the benefits of a sacrifice they haven't accepted or that has been fulfilled in Christ.
Understand the original words
thysiastērion · Greek Noun
A symbolic place of sacrifice and reconciliation between God and man. In a Christian context, it often refers to the efficacy of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice on the cross, which supersedes the temporary sacrificial systems of the Old Covenant.
skēnē · Greek Noun
The portable sanctuary used in the wilderness, representing the presence of God dwelling among His people and the necessity of mediation and sacrifice for atonement under the Mosaic Law.
thysia · Greek Noun
A slaughtered animal or object offered to God to make atonement for sin, appease divine wrath, or express devotion. In the Old Testament, these were shadows of the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.
This verse contrasts the Levitical sacrificial system, centered around the Tabernacle and later the Temple, with the singular, eternal sacrifice of Christ. Those still clinging to the old ways, the 'servants of the tabernacle,' cannot partake in the benefits of Christ's sacrifice, which is the true 'altar' and sustenance for believers.
c. 1446 BC
Tabernacle Construction and Law Given
The Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary of God's presence, is constructed. The Law, including detailed instructions for sacrifices and the Levitical priesthood, is given at Mount Sinai.
c. 966 BC
Temple Construction Completed
Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem is dedicated, replacing the Tabernacle as the central place of worship and sacrifice.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy Solomon's Temple, and exile much of the population, effectively ending the Levitical sacrificial system as it was.
c. 516 BC
Second Temple Dedicated
After the return from exile, a new Temple is built in Jerusalem, though it is less grand than Solomon's. The sacrificial system is reinstituted.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Jesus is crucified outside Jerusalem. This event is seen by Christians as the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice, fulfilling the Old Testament sacrificial system.
AD 70
Destruction of the Second Temple
The Roman army destroys Jerusalem and the Second Temple, bringing a definitive end to the physical sanctuary and its sacrificial rites.
This passage speaks about eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Jesus, paralleling the concept of partaking in Christ's sacrifice, which is central to the 'altar' mentioned in Hebrews.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17Paul connects the cup and bread of the Lord's Supper to fellowship with Christ's blood and body, reinforcing the idea of a shared sacrifice and spiritual nourishment that is exclusive to believers.
Leviticus 7:29-34This Old Testament passage describes the regulations for peace offerings, where worshippers would eat from the sacrifice, providing a direct Old Testament parallel to the concept of 'eating from the altar' that Hebrews is referencing.
Exodus 29:29-30Here, the priests eat portions of the sin offering, highlighting the specific rights and privileges associated with service within the tabernacle system that the author of Hebrews contrasts with the Christian's access to Christ's sacrifice.
Galatians 5:2-4This passage warns that seeking righteousness through the Mosaic law (serving the tabernacle) nullifies Christ's benefits, directly mirroring the idea that those adhering to the old system have no right to partake in the New Covenant's spiritual sustenance.
wesleyHebrews 13:10: "We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle."
13:10 On the former part of this verse , the fifteenth and sixteenth depend; on the latter, the intermediate verse s. We have an altar - The cross of Christ. Whereof they have no right to eat - To partake of the benefits which we receive therefrom. Who serve the tabernacle - Who adhere to the Mosaic law.
vincentHebrews 13:10: "We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle."
Those who persist in adhering to the Jewish economy can have no part in the blessing of the new covenant. The two are mutually exclusive. The statement is cast in the mould of the Jewish sacrificial ritual, and in the figure of eating a sacrificial meal.We have an altar (ἔχομεν θυσιαστήριον)It is a mistake to try to find in the Christian economy some specific object answering to altar - either th…
The verse isn't just talking about a literal altar versus a metaphorical one; it highlights the stark exclusivity of Christ's sacrifice. While the old covenant offered sacrifices where priests could eat from certain offerings, the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus means those clinging to the old system have absolutely no share in the true spiritual sustenance and forgiveness found only through Him.
The author is countering false teachings that emphasize Jewish ritual laws and dietary restrictions, arguing that these are now irrelevant because Christians have a far greater spiritual reality in Christ. He draws a parallel to Jewish sacrificial meals, where participation was a privilege, to highlight that while those clinging to the old covenant rituals have no claim to the benefits of Christ's sacrifice, believers do. This sets the stage for the following verses, which explain the nature of Christ's sacrifice and call believers to embrace it fully, even if it means leaving behind the familiar practices of Judaism.
The author is countering false teachings that emphasize Jewish ritual laws and dietary restrictions, arguing that these are now irrelevant because Christians have a far greater spiritual reality in Christ. He draws a parallel to Jewish sacrificial meals, where participation was a privilege, to highlight that while those clinging to the old covenant rituals have no claim to the benefits of Christ's sacrifice, believers do. This sets the stage for the following verses, which explain the nature of Christ's sacrifice and call believers to embrace it fully, even if it means leaving behind the familiar practices of Judaism.
"We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp." — The verse isn't just talking about a literal altar versus a metaphorical one; it highlights the stark exclusivity of Christ's sacrifice. While the old covenant offered sacrifices where priests *could…
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Last reviewed October 2026
