Hebrews 9:7
but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The text highlights that the high priest offered blood not just for the people's unintentional sins, but also "for himself." This starkly reminds us that even the holiest mediator was himself a sinner in need of atonement, underscoring the profound imperfection of the Old Covenant system.
This passage describes the unique, solemn ritual performed by the high priest once a year on the Day of Atonement. He alone entered the innermost sanctuary, the Most Holy Place, carrying blood not just for the unintentional sins of the people, but also for his own. This act was a stark reminder of the pervasive sinfulness of both the people and their priests, setting the stage for the author to present Jesus's infinitely greater sacrifice.
Understand the original words
kohen gadol · Hebrew Noun
The ultimate mediatorial office under the Mosaic Law. This individual held exclusive access to the Holy of Holies to offer the blood of atonement on the Day of Atonement.
dam · Hebrew Noun
In the context of the Day of Atonement, blood serves as the means of propitiation and atonement for sin. It signifies the life of a substitute offered to satisfy the requirements of justice and secure forgiveness.
shegagah · Hebrew Noun
Acts of transgression committed without deliberate intent or premeditated malice. These required specific sacrificial rituals under the Mosaic Law to address the cultic impurity and guilt incurred.
This verse vividly describes the once-a-year ritual in the Holy of Holies, a practice deeply ingrained in Jewish life for centuries. The text highlights the limitations of the old system – the need for repeated sacrifices, the uncleanness of the high priest himself, and the limited scope of 'errors' or 'ignorances' covered. This sets the stage for understanding Jesus's singular, perfect sacrifice that transcends all these limitations.
c. 1445 BC
Exodus and Wilderness Journey
God delivers Israel from Egypt and gives them the Law, including detailed instructions for the Tabernacle and its rituals, establishing the framework for the Day of Atonement.
c. 1400-1000 BC
Tabernacle and Temple Era
The Tabernacle, and later the Temple in Jerusalem, serve as the central place of worship, with the High Priest performing annual rituals according to Mosaic Law.
c. 957 BC
Dedication of Solomon's Temple
Solomon's Temple is completed and dedicated in Jerusalem, becoming the primary sanctuary for Israel's worship and the site of the High Priest's annual atonement rituals.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem and destroy the First Temple, ending the era of prescribed Levitical sacrifices and the physical Ark of the Covenant.
This passage directly outlines the Day of Atonement ritual, detailing the high priest's offering of a bull for himself and a goat for the sins of the people, providing the Old Testament foundation for the event described in Hebrews.
Hebrews 7:27This verse highlights Jesus' unique sacrifice, contrasting it with the Old Testament high priests who 'offered sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people,' reinforcing the idea of the high priest's need for atonement for himself.
Exodus 30:10This verse speaks of the 'most holy place' and the annual atonement, establishing the 'once a year' principle and the requirement of blood for purification, echoing the specifics of the high priest's entry.
1 Peter 1:18-19This passage explains that believers were redeemed not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, the perfect sacrifice, paralleling the concept of blood being essential for atonement, as seen in Hebrews 9:7.
John 14:6Jesus declares 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,' which powerfully connects to the high priest's sole entry with blood, pointing to Jesus as the only way into God's presence.
vincentHebrews 9:7: "But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:"
Errors (ἀγνοημάτων)Lit. ignorances. See on Hebrews 5:2.
meyerHebrews 9:7: "But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:"
Hebrews 9:7 . Ἡ δευτέρα ] sc . σκηνή , the Most Holy Place. ἅπαξ τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ ] once in the year, i.e. only on a single day of the year, namely, on the tenth of the seventh month (Tisri), on the great solemnity of atonement. The supposition that the high priest on this day more than once entered the Most Holy Place is not excluded by t…
The text highlights that the high priest offered blood not just for the people's unintentional sins, but also "for himself." This starkly reminds us that even the holiest mediator was himself a sinner in need of atonement, underscoring the profound imperfection of the Old Covenant system.
This passage describes the unique, solemn ritual performed by the high priest once a year on the Day of Atonement. He alone entered the innermost sanctuary, the Most Holy Place, carrying blood not just for the unintentional sins of the people, but also for his own. This act was a stark reminder of the pervasive sinfulness of both the people and their priests, setting the stage for the author to present Jesus's infinitely greater sacrifice.
This passage describes the unique, solemn ritual performed by the high priest once a year on the Day of Atonement. He alone entered the innermost sanctuary, the Most Holy Place, carrying blood not just for the unintentional sins of the people, but also for his own. This act was a stark reminder of the pervasive sinfulness of both the people and their priests, setting the stage for the author to present Jesus's infinitely greater sacrifice.
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c. 516 BC
Completion of the Second Temple
The Second Temple is completed in Jerusalem by returning exiles, re-establishing the sacrificial system, though it lacks the Ark and the profound glory of the First Temple.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus, the ultimate High Priest, is crucified and resurrected, fulfilling the sacrificial system and offering a perfect, once-for-all atonement for sins.
c. AD 64-68— this verse
Writing of the Book of Hebrews
The author of Hebrews writes to Jewish Christians, likely in Rome, to encourage them to persevere in their faith by explaining the superiority of Christ's priesthood and sacrifice over the Old Covenant system.
"but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people." — The text highlights that the high priest offered blood not just for the people's unintentional sins, but also "for himself." This starkly reminds us that even the holiest mediator was himself a sinne…
