Hebrews 10:11

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 10:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And every priest indeed standeth day by day ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, the which can never take away sins:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And every priest indeed standeth day by day ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, the which can never take away sins:
Hebrews 10:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11And every priest indeed standeth day by day ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, the which can never take away sins:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And every priest standeth daily ministering, etc..] The Alexandrian copy, one of Stephens's, the Complutensian edition, the Syriac and Ethiopic versions, read, “every high priest”; who might minister daily, if he would; but since the daily sacrifice was generally offered by the common priests, these are rather designed. The apostle passes from the anniversary sacrifices offered by the high priest on the day of atonement, having shown the insufficiency and imperfection of them, to the lambs of the daily sacrifice, which were offered morning and evening, and whatsoever else might be daily offered on other accounts; and which he also shows are equally ineffectual to take away sin; almost every…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And--a new point of contrast; the frequent repetition of the sacrifices. priest--The oldest manuscripts read, "high priest." Though he did not in person stand "daily" offering sacrifices, he did so by the subordinate priests of whom, as well as of all Israel, he was the representative head. So "daily" is applied to the high priests (Heb 7:27). standeth--the attitude of one ministering; in contrast to "sat down on the right hand of God," Heb 10:12, said of Christ; the posture of one being ministered to as a king. which--Greek, "the which," that is, of such a kind as. take away--utterly; literally, "strip off all round." Legal sacrifices might, in part, produce the sense of forgiveness, yet…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And every priest standeth daily ministering - That is, this is done every day. It does not mean literally that every priest was daily concerned in offering sacrifices, for they took turns according to their courses, (notes on Luke 1:5), but that this was done each day, and that every priest was to take his regular place in doing it; Numbers 28:3. The object of the apostle is to prove that under the Jewish economy sacrifices were repeated constantly, showing their imperfection, but that under the Christian economy the great sacrifice had been offered once, which was sufficient for all. And offering oftentimes the same sacrifices - The same sacrifices were offered morning and evening every…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Every priest standeth - As a servant in an humble posture. Hebrews 10:12”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“10:11-14 Christ’s superior offering was decisive, in contrast with the sacrifices made by the priests of the old covenant. 10:11 the priest stands: See Deut 18:5. • day after day: E.g., 2 Chr 13:11.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“daily: Heb 7:27; Exo 29:38, Exo 29:39; Num 28:3, Num 28:24, Num 29:6; Eze 45:4; Dan 8:11, Dan 9:21, Dan 9:27; Dan 11:31, Dan 12:11; Luk 1:9, Luk 1:10 which: Heb 10:4; Psa 50:8-13; Isa 1:11 Hebrews 10:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification