Devine Scripture

Hebrews 9:7

What does Hebrews 9:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 9:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 9:7 means

Entrance into the Holy of holies was radically restricted. Only the high priest, only once each year, and never without blood could he enter—and even then, he offered for his own sin and for the people’s errors. This solemn ritual, associated with the Day of Atonement, revealed that sin creates a barrier requiring mediation and sacrifice. The yearly repetition acknowledged that the problem persisted; the high priest himself was a sinner needing cleansing. The rite was both mercy and reminder—mercy, because God provided atonement; reminder, because access remained extraordinary and provisional. The author is leading us to desire a priest who needs no sacrifice for himself and a sacrifice sufficient to deal with sin decisively.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offereth for himself, and for the errors of the people:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offereth for himself, and for the errors of the people:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But only the high priest went into the second, once a year, not without making an offering of blood for himself and for the errors of the people:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and into the second, once in the year, only the chief priest, not apart from blood, which he doth offer for himself and the errors of the people,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But into the second, the high priest alone, once a year: not without blood, which he offereth for his own and the people's ignorance:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but into the second, the high priest only, once a year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people:

Context

Verse 7 intensifies the contrast begun in verse 6: continual service in the first room versus singular, annual entry into the second, always with blood. This contrast becomes the basis for the interpretive statement in verse 8 that the Holy Spirit was signaling something by this arrangement. Verses 9–10 will spell out the lesson: the old gifts and sacrifices could not perfect the conscience and were temporary, external regulations until a time of reformation. The flow moves from description to theological conclusion, preparing for the presentation of Christ’s superior priesthood in verse 11.

v.6Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services;

v.7This passage

v.8the Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holy place hath not yet been made manifest, while the first tabernacle is yet standing;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 9:24

    For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us:

  • Hosea 4:12

    My people ask counsel at their stock, and their staff declareth unto them; for the spirit of whoredom hath caused them to err, and they have played the harlot, departing from under their God.

  • Leviticus 16:34

    And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make atonement for the children of Israel because of all their sins once in the year. And he did as Jehovah commanded Moses.

  • Hebrews 10:3

    But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance made of sins year by year.

  • Exodus 30:10

    And Aaron shall make atonement upon the horns of it once in the year; with the blood of the sin-offering of atonement once in the year shall he make atonement for it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto Jehovah.

  • Hebrews 10:19

    Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus,

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