Hebrews 9:7

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 9:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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:
Hebrews 9:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7but 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:

What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“once every year--the tenth day of the seventh month. He entered within the veil on that day twice at least. Thus "once" means here on the one occasion only. The two, or possibly more, entrances on that one day were regarded as parts of the one whole. not without blood-- (Heb 8:3). offered--Greek, "offers." errors--Greek, "ignorances": "inadvertent errors." They might have known, as the law was clearly promulged, and they were bound to study it; so that their ignorance was culpable (compare Act 3:17; Eph 4:18; Pe1 1:14). Though one's ignorance may mitigate one's punishment (Luk 12:48), it does not wholly exempt from punishment.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But into the second - The second apartment or room, called the most holy place; Hebrews 9:3. Went the high priest alone once every year - On the great day of atonement; Exodus 30:10. On that day he probably entered the Holy of Holies three or four times, first to burn incense, Leviticus 16:12; then to sprinkle the blood of the bullock on the mercy-seat, Leviticus 16:14; then he was to kill the goat of the sin-offering, and bring that blood within the Veil and sprinkle it also on the mercy-seat, and then, perhaps, he entered again to bring out the golden censer. The Jewish tradition is, that he entered the Holy of Holies four times on that day. After all, however, the number of times is not…”
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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
“Errors - That is, sins of ignorance, to which only those atonements extended. Hebrews 9:8”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:7 The yearly duty was carried out on the Day of Atonement, when the high priest offered sacrifices for the sins not covered by other sacrifices during the previous year (Lev 16:1-25).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“into: Heb 9:24, Heb 9:25; Exo 30:10; Lev. 16:2-20, Lev 16:34 not: Heb 5:3, Heb 7:27, Heb 10:19, Heb 10:20 errors: Lev 5:18; Sa2 6:7; Ch2 33:9; Psa 19:12, Psa 95:10; Isa 3:12, Isa 9:16, Isa 28:7; Isa 29:14; Hos 4:12; Amo 2:14 Hebrews 9:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification