King James Version

What Does Hebrews 7:27 Mean?

Hebrews 7:27 in the King James Version says “Who needeth not daily , as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's:... — study this verse from Hebrews chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 7:27 · KJV


Context

25

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. to the: or, evermore

26

For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

27

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.

28

For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. consecrated: Gr. perfected


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Unlike high priests who must daily offer sacrifices 'first for His own sins and then for the people's,' Jesus did this 'once for all when He offered up Himself.' The Greek 'ephapax' (once for all) emphasizes the unrepeatable finality of Christ's sacrifice. His sinlessness eliminated need for self-atonement; His perfect sacrifice eliminated need for repetition. Reformed theology emphasizes Christ's finished work - nothing needs adding to His completed atonement.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Daily sacrifices were offered in the temple morning and evening (Exodus 29:38-42), and the high priest offered special sacrifices on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). Christ's single sacrifice accomplished what endless animal sacrifices couldn't.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the 'once for all' nature of Christ's sacrifice affect your understanding of ongoing sin and forgiveness?
  2. What practices or attitudes suggest you're trying to add to Christ's finished work?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
ὃς1 of 26

Who

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐκ2 of 26

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔχει3 of 26

needeth

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

καθ'4 of 26

daily

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

ἡμέραν5 of 26
G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἀνάγκην6 of 26
G318

constraint (literally or figuratively); by implication, distress

ὥσπερ7 of 26

as

G5618

just as, i.e., exactly like

οἱ8 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀρχιερεῖς9 of 26

those high priests

G749

the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest

πρότερον10 of 26

first

G4386

previously

ὑπὲρ11 of 26

for

G5228

"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super

τῶν12 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἰδίων13 of 26

his own

G2398

pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate

ἁμαρτιῶν14 of 26

sins

G266

a sin (properly abstract)

θυσίας15 of 26

sacrifice

G2378

sacrifice (the act or the victim, literally or figuratively)

ἀνενέγκας16 of 26

to offer up

G399

to take up (literally or figuratively)

ἔπειτα17 of 26

and then

G1899

thereafter

τῶν18 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τοῦ19 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαοῦ·20 of 26

for the people's

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

τοῦτο21 of 26

this

G5124

that thing

γὰρ22 of 26

for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ἐποίησεν23 of 26

he did

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

ἐφάπαξ24 of 26

once

G2178

upon one occasion (only)

ἑαυτὸν25 of 26

himself

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

ἀνενέγκας26 of 26

to offer up

G399

to take up (literally or figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Hebrews. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Hebrews 7:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Hebrews 7:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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