Hebrews 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 (KJV)

Context

The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish believers who were facing pressure to return to the Old Testament sacrificial system. The author argues that Jesus’ priesthood and the new covenant are superior to the old order.

Hebrews 9:7 describes the high priest’s solitary annual entry into the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement, the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar. The tabernacle had two compartments: the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. Ordinary priests ministered daily in the first compartment, but only the high priest could enter the second, and only once per year.

Meaning

The high priest entered the Most Holy Place alone, never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the errors of the people. The word “errors” refers to sins committed in ignorance, a category detailed in Leviticus 16. The high priest’s need to offer blood for his own sins highlights the limitation of the old covenant priesthood.

The blood of the sacrifices represented the life of the animal and served as a symbol of atonement for sins. The shedding of blood signified the need for a life to be given as a substitute for the sinner’s life. The repetition of the Day of Atonement every year and the need for blood sacrifices demonstrated the limitations and imperfections of the Old Testament system, highlighting the ongoing need for atonement and the inability of animal blood to fully cleanse and remove sins.

Biblical connections

The immediate context, Hebrews 9:8-9, explains that the Holy Spirit signified by this arrangement that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was standing, and that the gifts and sacrifices offered could not make the worshiper perfect as pertaining to the conscience.

The author of Hebrews contrasts the Old Testament sacrifices with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Jesus, as the perfect High Priest, offered Himself once for all as the ultimate and final sacrifice for the sins of humanity (Hebrews 9:11-14). His sacrifice was offered without blemish and with His own blood, and it had the power to cleanse the conscience of believers from dead works to serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14).

Through His sacrifice, Jesus established the new covenant, which replaced the old covenant. The new covenant is characterized by the forgiveness of sins, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and direct access to God through faith in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 8:6-13).

Application

This verse reminds believers that the old system was temporary and pointed forward to the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. Because Jesus entered the true Most Holy Place with His own blood, believers can now approach God with confidence, not through repeated animal sacrifices, but through faith in His finished work.

Reflection

Consider the contrast between the high priest’s annual entry with blood and Christ’s single, sufficient offering. How does this deepen your gratitude for the access you have to God through Jesus?