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 9:7KJV
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Hebrews 9:7 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 9:7 mean?

Hebrews 9:7 explains that only the high priest could enter the inner room of the tabernacle, and he did so alone, just once each year, bringing blood to offer for his own sins and for the unintentional sins of the people. This verse highlights the strict limits and requirements around access to God's presence under the old covenant.

The writer of Hebrews is speaking to Jewish Christians, reminding them of the Day of Atonement ritual described in the Old Testament. The "second" refers to the Most Holy Place, which only the high priest could enter, and only after making a blood sacrifice. This sets up a contrast with Jesus' once-for-all sacrifice, which the wider passage will soon explain.

The Greek behind Hebrews 9:7

  • The word "alone" (μόνος, monos, G3441) stresses that no one but the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, underlining how exclusive and restricted this access was.
  • The term "once" (ἅπαξ, hapax, G530) means a single time each year, showing the limited and temporary nature of this ritual.
  • The Greek word for "errors" (ἀγνοήματα, agnoēmata, G51) refers specifically to unintentional sins or mistakes, not deliberate rebellion, which clarifies what kind of sins were being addressed by the sacrifice.

Why Hebrews 9:7 matters

  • This verse clears up that the old covenant system was not open to everyone; only the high priest could approach God's presence, and only with a blood offering.
  • The focus on unintentional sins shows the limitations of the old sacrifices—they did not cover every kind of wrongdoing, only those done in ignorance.
  • By describing the ritual in detail, Hebrews 9:7 prepares the reader for the argument that Jesus' sacrifice is different: it is not repeated yearly, and it grants access to God for all who trust in him.

Where else these words appear

“year” Greek G1763 · used in 14 verses

  • Luke 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
  • Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
  • Hebrews 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

“once” Greek G530 · used in 15 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
  • Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
  • Hebrews 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

“without” Greek G5565 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
  • Romans 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
  • Hebrews 7:20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

“second” Greek G1208 · used in 45 verses

  • Matthew 21:30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
  • Acts 7:13 And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.
  • Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.