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 7:27KJV
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Hebrews 7:27 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 7:27 mean?

Hebrews 7:27 says that Jesus, unlike the other high priests, does not need to offer sacrifices every day—first for his own sins and then for the people’s—because he offered himself as a sacrifice once for all. This verse highlights the unique and complete nature of Jesus’ priestly work compared to the repeated sacrifices of earlier priests.

The writer of Hebrews is explaining to Jewish Christians how Jesus’ role as high priest is different from the priests of the Old Testament. Those priests had to offer sacrifices daily, including for their own sins, but Jesus, being sinless, offered himself once, fully and finally, for the sins of the people. This sets up the argument that Jesus’ priesthood is superior and brings a new way of relating to God.

The Greek behind Hebrews 7:27

  • ἑφάπαξ (hapax, G2178): This word means "once" or "once for all." It stresses that Jesus’ sacrifice was a single, decisive event, not something that needed repeating.
  • προσφέρειν (prospherein, G4374, rendered “to offer up”): This verb is used for offering sacrifices. Here, it emphasizes that Jesus’ offering was of himself, not an animal or another substitute.
  • ἴδιος (idios, G2398, “own”): This word refers to something belonging to oneself. The verse points out that Jesus did not need to offer a sacrifice for his own sins, unlike other high priests, because he was without sin.

Why Hebrews 7:27 matters

  • Hebrews 7:27 clears up the difference between Jesus and the Old Testament high priests, showing that Jesus’ sacrifice was unique and complete.
  • The verse emphasizes that Jesus’ offering was for the people’s sins, not his own, underlining his sinlessness and suitability as a perfect high priest.
  • This verse connects to the larger argument in Hebrews that Jesus’ priesthood brings a better, lasting way to approach God, replacing the old system of continual animal sacrifices.

Where else these words appear

“once” Greek G2178 · used in 5 verses

  • Romans 6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
  • Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

“up” Greek G399 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
  • Luke 24:51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
  • James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

“first” Greek G4386 · used in 10 verses

  • John 6:62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
  • 2 Corinthians 1:15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;
  • Hebrews 4:6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

“then” Greek G1899 · used in 16 verses

  • Mark 7:5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
  • 1 Corinthians 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
  • Galatians 2:1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.