Hebrews 9:10

Only with meats and drinks and divers washings (monon epi brwmasin kai pomasin kai diaforoiv baptismoiv). The parenthesis of the Revised Version here is unnecessary. The use of epi here with the locative case is regular, "in the matter of" (Luke 12:52; John 12:16; Acts 21:24). What ritual value these Levitical sacrifices had was confined to minute regulations about diet and ceremonial cleansing (clean and unclean). For "divers" (diaforoiv, late adjective, in N.T. only in Hebrews 1:4; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:10; Romans 12:6) say "different" or "various." Baptismoiv is, of course, the Jewish ceremonial immersions (cf. Mark 7:4; Exodus 29:4; Leviticus 11:25, Leviticus 11:28 f.; Numbers 8:7; Revelation 6:2).

Carnal ordinances (dikaiwmasin sarkov). But the correct text is undoubtedly simply dikaiwmata sarkov (nominative case), in apposition with dwra te kai qusiai (gifts and sacrifices). See Hebrews 9:1 for dikaiwmata.

Imposed (epikeimena). Present middle or passive participle of epikeimai, old verb to lie upon (be laid upon). Cf. I Corinthians 9:16.

Until a time of reformation (mexri kairou diorqwsewv). Definite statement of the temporary nature of the Levitical system already stated in Hebrews 7:10-17; Hebrews 8:13 and argued clearly by Paul in Galatians 3:15-22. Diorqwsiv is a late word, here alone in N.T. (from diorqow, to set right or straight), used by Hippocrates for making straight misshapen limbs like anorqow in Hebrews 12:12. Here for reformation like diorqwma (reform) in Acts 24:2 f. Christianity itself is the great Reformation of the current Judaism (Pharisaism) and the spiritual Judaism foreshadowed by the old Abrahamic promise (see Gal. 3; Rom. 9).