Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Study Note
Study Note
The terse universal principle 'it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment' serves as the theological premise for the following analogy: as humans die once and are then judged, so Christ was offered once for sin and will appear a second time for salvation. The word 'appointed' (apokeitai, 'laid away') carries a sense of divine design — death is not accidental but ordained within the structure of human existence as God framed it. The verse implicitly refutes any doctrine of reincarnation or multiple opportunities after death, making it a touchstone for Christian eschatology's insistence on the finality of this life's choices. Augustine deployed the verse against the Pelagians, and it remains central in Reformed discussions of the 'particular' and 'final' judgment.
Other Translations
And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment;
and as it is laid up to men once to die, and after this--judgment,
And because by God's law death comes to men once, and after that they are judged;
Cross References
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it …
For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither …
Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he …
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.
What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of …
All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more …
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, …
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and …