Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
Then verily, х men (G3303) oun (G3767)] - 'According]y then.' Resuming Hebrews 7:5. In accordance with the command to Moses, "the first covenant had," etc.
Had - not 'has;' for as a covenant it no longer existed, though its rites continued until the destruction of Jerusalem.
Ordinances - of divine institution.
Service, х latreias (G2999)] - worship.
A worldly sanctuary, х to (G3588) hagion (G39) the article marking the subject), kosmikon (G2886) (the predicate)] - 'its (literally, the) sanctuary worldly,' mundane: consisting of elements of the visible world. Contrasted with the heavenly sanctuary. Compare Hebrews 9:11-12, "not of this building;" Hebrews 9:24. Material, outward, perishing (however precious); also defective religiously. In Hebrews 9:2-5 the "worldly sanctuary" is discussed; in Hebrews 9:6, etc., the "ordinances of ... service." The outer tabernacle signified this world; the Holy of holies, heaven. Josephus calls the outer, divided into two parts, 'a secular, common place,' answering to 'the earth and sea;' the inner holiest place, the third part, appropriated to God, not accessible to men. Worldliness is the root of sensuous ritualism. The modern mass-idol would be too monstrous for any to believe in, were it not decked in worldly finery.