Hebrews 9:25
Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
Original Language Analysis
προσφέρῃ
he should offer
G4374
προσφέρῃ
he should offer
Strong's:
G4374
Word #:
4 of 17
to bear towards, i.e., lead to, tender (especially to god), treat
ἑαυτόν
himself
G1438
ἑαυτόν
himself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
5 of 17
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεὺς
the high priest
G749
ἀρχιερεὺς
the high priest
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
8 of 17
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
10 of 17
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατ'
every
G2596
κατ'
every
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
13 of 17
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
Cross References
Hebrews 9:12Neither 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.Hebrews 9:7But 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 9:14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?Hebrews 10:19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,Hebrews 9:26For 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.
Historical Context
The annual Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) revealed the limitation of the Levitical system. Its repetition proved its inadequacy. Christ's sacrifice needed no repetition because it achieved complete, permanent atonement.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did the old covenant sacrifices need constant repetition, and how does this prove their inadequacy?
- What does the non-repeatable nature of Christ's sacrifice teach about its sufficiency?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Christ did not enter the heavenly sanctuary to 'offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood not his own.' The contrast is repetition vs. once-for-all. The high priest's annual sacrifice demonstrated inadequacy - it never finally dealt with sin. Christ's single sacrifice accomplished complete redemption. Reformed theology emphasizes the finished nature of Christ's atonement - nothing can be added to it.