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.
Study Note
Study Note
The declaration that Christ 'entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption' contrasts the Levitical high priest's annual and repeated entry into the Most Holy Place with Christ's single, unrepeatable, cosmically effective entrance. The phrase 'once for all' (ephapax) is the theological center: unlike the repeated Day of Atonement sacrifices, which by their repetition demonstrated their insufficiency (10:1-4), Christ's single offering achieves what annual sacrifices could not — permanent access and permanent cleansing. 'Eternal redemption' (aionion lytrosis) extends the effect of the sacrifice beyond the temporal frame of any historical act: the redemption does not expire or require renewal. The verse is the theological heart of Hebrews' atonement theology, making the qualitative difference between old and new covenants a matter of permanent versus provisional access to God.
Other Translations
nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption.
neither through blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, did enter in once into the holy places, age-during redemption having obtained;
And has gone once and for ever into the holy place, having got eternal salvation, not through the blood of goats and young oxen, but through his blood.
Cross References
Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the sin …
And he brought the people’s offering, and took the goat, which was the sin offering for the people, and slew …
And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin …
But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the Lord, to …
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an …
For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will …
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, …
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, …
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of …