Hebrews 9:7

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 Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The author addresses readers familiar with the Mosaic tabernacle system, explaining how the Holy Spirit uses the existing ritual layout to demonstrate that the way into the Most Holy Place remains closed while the first tabernacle stands.

The words — The text emphasizes ἅπαξ (hapax, "once") and μόνος (monos, "only"), which strictly limit the high priest’s entry to a single annual occasion and designate him as the exclusive human agent, not his physical solitude.

The thread — This annual restriction mirrors Leviticus 16:34’s permanent statute for Israelite atonement and aligns with Exodus 30:10’s command for yearly atonement on the altar’s horns.

Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to acknowledge that the old covenant’s repetitive, blood-bound service was inherently temporary, functioning only until a permanent access to God was established.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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:

Cross-references

Leviticus 16:34 This is to be a permanent statute for you, to make atonement once a year for the Israelites because of all their sins.” And all this was done as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Leviticus 5:18 He is to bring to the priest an unblemished ram of proper value from the flock as a guilt offering. Then the priest will make atonement on his behalf for the wrong he has committed in ignorance, and he will be forgiven.
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.”
Hebrews 7:27 Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.
Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
Isaiah 3:12 Youths oppress My people, and women rule over them. O My people, your guides mislead you; they turn you from your paths.
Isaiah 9:16 For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.
Isaiah 28:7 These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments.
Hosea 4:12 My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God.
Hebrews 9:24 For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God.