We have an altar
The phrase "We have an altar" signifies the spiritual provision and sacrifice that Christians possess through Jesus Christ. In the Greek, "altar" (θυσιαστήριον, thysiastērion) refers to a place of sacrifice. Historically, altars were central to Jewish worship, where sacrifices were offered to God. In the New Testament context, this altar is not a physical structure but represents the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. This altar is accessible to all believers, symbolizing the new covenant and the spiritual nourishment found in Christ, contrasting with the physical altars of the Old Testament.

from which those who serve at the tabernacle
This phrase refers to the Levitical priests who served in the tabernacle, the portable earthly dwelling place of God used by the Israelites. The Greek word for "serve" (λατρεύω, latreuō) implies religious service or worship. The tabernacle was central to the old covenant, where priests offered sacrifices according to the Law of Moses. However, the author of Hebrews emphasizes that those who continue to rely solely on the old covenant rituals and sacrifices do not have access to the spiritual benefits of the new covenant established by Christ.

have no right to eat
The phrase "have no right to eat" underscores the exclusivity of the new covenant's blessings to those who accept Christ. In the Old Testament, priests had the right to eat certain portions of the sacrifices (Leviticus 6:26). However, the sacrifice of Christ, represented by the altar in this verse, is not something that can be partaken of by those who reject Him. The Greek word for "right" (ἐξουσία, exousia) denotes authority or privilege. This highlights the privilege of believers who partake in the spiritual sustenance provided by Christ's sacrifice, which is not available to those who adhere only to the old covenant practices. This serves as a call to embrace the fullness of the new covenant through faith in Jesus.

(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 ...


We have
Ἔχομεν (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 altar
θυσιαστήριον (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.

from
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

which
οὗ (hou)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

those who
οἱ (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.

serve
λατρεύοντες (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 the
τῇ (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.

tabernacle
σκηνῇ (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.

have
ἔχουσιν (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.

no
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

right
ἐξουσίαν (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.


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NT Letters: Hebrews 13:10 We have an altar from which those (Heb. He. Hb)