Hebrews 9:7
New International Version
But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.

New Living Translation
But only the high priest ever entered the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. And he always offered blood for his own sins and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.

Berean Literal Bible
But only the high priest enters into the second, once in the year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and the sins of ignorance of the people.

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance;

New American Standard Bible
but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance.

NASB 1995
but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance.

NASB 1977
but into the second only the high priest enters, once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance.

Legacy Standard Bible
but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance.

Amplified Bible
but into the second [inner tabernacle, the Holy of Holies], only the high priest enters [and then only] once a year, and never without [bringing a sacrifice of] blood, which he offers [as a substitutionary atonement] for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance.

Christian Standard Bible
But the high priest alone enters the second room, and he does that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the high priest alone enters the second room, and he does that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance.

American Standard Version
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:

Contemporary English Version
However, only the high priest could go into the second part of the tent, and he went in only once a year. Each time he carried blood to offer for his sins and for any sins that the people had committed without meaning to.

English Revised Version
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:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But only the chief priest went into the second part of the tent. Once a year he entered and brought blood that he offered for himself and for the things that the people did wrong unintentionally.

Good News Translation
but only the high priest goes into the inner tent, and he does so only once a year. He takes with him blood which he offers to God on behalf of himself and for the sins which the people have committed without knowing they were sinning.

International Standard Version
But only the high priest went into the second part, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins committed by the people in ignorance.

Majority Standard Bible
But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.

NET Bible
But only the high priest enters once a year into the inner tent, and not without blood that he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance.

New Heart English Bible
but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offers for himself, and for the errors of the people.

Webster's Bible Translation
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:

Weymouth New Testament
But into the second, the High Priest goes only on one day of the year, and goes alone, taking with him blood, which he offers on his own behalf and on account of the sins which the people have ignorantly committed.

World English Bible
but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and into the second, once in the year, only the chief priest, not apart from blood, which he offers for himself and the errors of the people.

Berean Literal Bible
But only the high priest enters into the second, once in the year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and the sins of ignorance of the people.

Young's Literal Translation
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,

Smith's Literal Translation
And into the second the chief priest alone once a year, not without blood, which he brings near for himself, and the errors of the people:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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:

Catholic Public Domain Version
But into the second part, once a year, the high priest alone entered, not without blood, which he offered on behalf of the neglectful offenses of himself and of the people.

New American Bible
but the high priest alone goes into the inner one once a year, not without blood that he offers for himself and for the sins of the people.

New Revised Standard Version
but only the high priest goes into the second, and he but once a year, and not without taking the blood that he offers for himself and for the sins committed unintentionally by the people.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But into the inner tabernacle, the high priest entered alone, once every year, with the blood which he offered for himself, and for the faults of the people.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But The High Priest would enter the inner Tabernacle once a year by himself with blood, which he was offering in the place of his soul and in the place of the evil doing of the people.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But into the second, the high priest alone went, once during the year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

Godbey New Testament
and into the second comes the high priest alone once a year, not without blood, which he offers for himself, and the errors of the people;

Haweis New Testament
but into the second once in every year entered the high-priest alone, not without blood, which he offered for his own inadvertencies, and for those of the people:

Mace New Testament
the high priest only enter'd, and that but once every year, when he carried the blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people.

Weymouth New Testament
But into the second, the High Priest goes only on one day of the year, and goes alone, taking with him blood, which he offers on his own behalf and on account of the sins which the people have ignorantly committed.

Worrell New Testament
but into the second, the high priest alone, once a year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and for the ignorances of the people;

Worsley New Testament
but into the second only the high-priest went once a year; and that not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the sins of the people committed through ignorance.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Earthly Tabernacle
6When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties. 7But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. 8By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing.…

Cross References
Leviticus 16:2-34
And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat. / This is how Aaron is to enter the Holy Place: with a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. / He is to wear the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments. He must tie a linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are holy garments, and he must bathe himself with water before he wears them. ...

Exodus 30:10
Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on the horns of the altar. Throughout your generations he shall make atonement on it annually with the blood of the sin offering of atonement. The altar is most holy to the LORD.”

Leviticus 4:3-21
If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a young bull without blemish as a sin offering for the sin he has committed. / He must bring the bull to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD, lay his hand on the bull’s head, and slaughter it before the LORD. / Then the anointed priest shall take some of the bull’s blood and bring it into the Tent of Meeting. ...

Leviticus 23:27-32
“The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You shall hold a sacred assembly and humble yourselves, and present a food offering to the LORD. / On this day you are not to do any work, for it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the LORD your God. / If anyone does not humble himself on this day, he must be cut off from his people. ...

Numbers 29:7-11
On the tenth day of this seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly, and you shall humble yourselves; you must not do any work. / Present as a pleasing aroma to the LORD a burnt offering of one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished, / together with their grain offerings of fine flour mixed with oil—three-tenths of an ephah with the bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram, ...

Leviticus 10:1-2
Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. / So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD.

Leviticus 21:10-12
The priest who is highest among his brothers, who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and has been ordained to wear the priestly garments, must not let his hair hang loose or tear his garments. / He must not go near any dead body; he must not defile himself, even for his father or mother. / He must not leave or desecrate the sanctuary of his God, for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is on him. I am the LORD.

1 Kings 8:6-11
Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim. / For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles. / The poles extended far enough that their ends were visible from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day. ...

2 Chronicles 5:7-14
Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim. / For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles. / The poles of the ark extended far enough that their ends were visible from in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day. ...

Ezekiel 45:18-20
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘On the first day of the first month you are to take a young bull without blemish and purify the sanctuary. / And the priest is to take some of the blood from the sin offering and put it on the doorposts of the temple, on the four corners of the ledge of the altar, and on the gateposts of the inner court. / You must do the same thing on the seventh day of the month for anyone who strays unintentionally or in ignorance. In this way you will make atonement for the temple.

Matthew 27:51
At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split.

Mark 15:38
And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Luke 23:45
The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle.

Romans 3:25
God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.

Romans 5:9
Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!


Treasury of Scripture

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:

into.

Hebrews 9:24,25
For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: …

Exodus 30:10
And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD.

Leviticus 16:2-20,34
And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat…

not.

Hebrews 5:3
And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

Hebrews 7:27
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

Hebrews 10:19,20
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, …

errors.

Leviticus 5:18
And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred and wist it not, and it shall be forgiven him.

2 Samuel 6:7
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.

2 Chronicles 33:9
So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.

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Account Alone Apart Behalf Blood Entered Errors Goes High Ignorance Ignorantly Inner Making Offer Offered Offereth Offering Offers Once Priest Room Second Sins
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Account Alone Apart Behalf Blood Entered Errors Goes High Ignorance Ignorantly Inner Making Offer Offered Offereth Offering Offers Once Priest Room Second Sins
Hebrews 9
1. The description of the rites and sacrifices of the law;
11. which are far inferior to the dignity and perfection of the sacrifice of Christ.














But only the high priest entered the second room
The "second room" refers to the Holy of Holies, the innermost part of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, where God's presence was believed to dwell. Only the high priest could enter this sacred space, signifying the separation between God and humanity due to sin. This exclusivity underscores the holiness of God and the need for a mediator. The high priest's role as the sole entrant foreshadows Christ as the ultimate High Priest, who mediates between God and humanity (Hebrews 4:14-16).

and then only once a year
This annual entrance occurred on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), as described in Leviticus 16. It was the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement. The once-a-year access highlights the limitations of the Old Covenant and contrasts with the New Covenant, where believers have continual access to God through Jesus (Hebrews 10:19-22).

and never without blood
Blood was essential for atonement, symbolizing life given to cover sin (Leviticus 17:11). The high priest's offering of blood prefigures Christ's sacrifice, whose blood was shed once for all to atone for sin (Hebrews 9:12-14). This requirement underscores the gravity of sin and the necessity of a sacrificial system, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.

which he offered for himself
The high priest, being human and sinful, needed to offer a sacrifice for his own sins before he could intercede for the people (Leviticus 16:6). This necessity highlights the imperfection of the Levitical priesthood and contrasts with Christ, who is sinless and did not need to offer a sacrifice for Himself (Hebrews 7:26-27).

and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance
Sins of ignorance refer to unintentional sins, which still required atonement under the Mosaic Law (Numbers 15:27-29). This provision illustrates God's grace in covering even those sins committed unknowingly. It points to the comprehensive nature of Christ's atonement, which covers all sin, intentional and unintentional, for those who believe (1 John 1:7).

Persons / Places / Events
1. High Priest
The high priest was the only one permitted to enter the Most Holy Place (the second room) in the tabernacle, symbolizing the mediator between God and the people.

2. Second Room (Most Holy Place)
This was the innermost part of the tabernacle, where the presence of God dwelt. It was separated by a veil and only accessed once a year on the Day of Atonement.

3. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
An annual event in the Jewish calendar when the high priest entered the Most Holy Place to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people.

4. Blood Sacrifice
The blood was essential for atonement, symbolizing the life given to cover sin, as per Levitical law.

5. Sins of Ignorance
These are unintentional sins, highlighting the need for atonement even for sins committed unknowingly.
Teaching Points
The Role of the High Priest
The high priest's role was crucial in the Old Covenant, symbolizing the need for a mediator between God and humanity. In the New Covenant, Jesus fulfills this role perfectly.

The Significance of Blood
Blood was necessary for atonement, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, whose blood was shed once for all.

Understanding Sin and Atonement
Even unintentional sins require atonement, emphasizing the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin.

Access to God
Under the Old Covenant, access to God was limited. Through Jesus, we have direct access to God, encouraging us to approach Him with confidence.

The Fulfillment in Christ
Jesus' sacrifice is the fulfillment of the Day of Atonement, offering a complete and eternal atonement for sin.(7) Went . . . offered.--Rather, entereth . . . offereth.

Errors.--Literally, ignorances. (See Hebrews 5:2-3; Hebrews 7:27.) By "once in the year" we must of course understand on one day of the year, viz., the tenth day of Tisri. On that day, according to Leviticus 16, it was the duty of the high priest to enter the Holy of Holies twice: (1) with the incense and with the blood of the bullock, his own sin-offering (Leviticus 16:12-14); (2) with the blood of the same bullock and that of the goat, the sin-offering for the people (Hebrews 9:15-19). In the ritual described in the tract "Joma" of the Talmud, he is said to enter four times; the first ministration being separated into its two parts (offering incense, sprinkling the blood of the bullock), and a fourth entering (to bring out the censer) being added.

Verses 7, 8. - But into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offereth for himself and for the errors (literally, ignorances; cf. ver. 2) of the people. For the ceremonies on the Day of Atonement, see Leviticus 16. They may be summarized, in their main characteristics, thus:

(1) The high priest brought to the door of the tabernacle a bullock as a sin offering for himself, and two goats as a sin offering for the people; also a ram as a burnt offering for himself, and a ram as a burnt offering for the people.

(2) After washing and arraying himself in white linen garments (not the ordinary official dress), he cast lots on the two goats which were for the people's sin offering - one lot being "for the LORD," the other "for Azazel;" that on which the former lot fell being for sacrifice, the other to be set free.

(3) He sacrificed his own sin offering, entered the holy place with the blood thereof, filled a censer with burning coals from the golden altar, went with it within the veil, sprinkling incense on the coals, "that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy-seat, that he die not;" took also the blood within the veil, and sprinkled the mercy-seat therewith. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

only
μόνος (monos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3441: Only, solitary, desolate. Probably from meno; remaining, i.e. Sole or single; by implication, mere.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

high priest
ἀρχιερεύς (archiereus)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 749: High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.

[entered]
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative 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.

[inner room],
δευτέραν (deuteran)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1208: Second; with the article: in the second place, for the second time. As the compare of duo; second.

[and then] only once
ἅπαξ (hapax)
Adverb
Strong's 530: Once, once for all. Probably from hapas; one time.

a year,
ἐνιαυτοῦ (eniautou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 1763: A year, cycle of time. Prolongation from a primary enos; a year.

[and] never
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

without
χωρὶς (chōris)
Preposition
Strong's 5565: Apart from, separately from; without. Adverb from chora; at a space, i.e. Separately or apart from.

blood,
αἵματος (haimatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 129: Blood, literally, figuratively or specially; by implication, bloodshed, also kindred.

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

he offered
προσφέρει (prospherei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4374: From pros and phero; to bear towards, i.e. Lead to, tender, treat.

for
ὑπὲρ (hyper)
Preposition
Strong's 5228: Gen: in behalf of; acc: above.

himself
ἑαυτοῦ (heautou)
Reflexive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

for the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sins the people had committed in ignorance.
ἀγνοημάτων (agnoēmatōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 51: From agnoeo; a thing ignored, i.e. Shortcoming.


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NT Letters: Hebrews 9:7 But into the second the high priest (Heb. He. Hb)
Hebrews 9:6
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