Hebrews 9:22

22 Indeed, according to the Law almost everything is purified by blood, and sins are forgiven only if blood is poured out. ¹

Hebrews 9:22 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 9:22

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood,
&c.] All "except a few things", as the Arabic version renders it; for some things were cleansed by water, and others purged by fire, ( Numbers 31:23 ) . Some join the word almost with the word purged, as if the sense was, that all things were purged by blood, but not perfectly, only almost; but the former sense is best.

And without shedding of blood is no remission;
that is, of sin; there was no typical remission without it; and there can be no real remission but by, the blood of Christ; no instance can be given of pardon without it; if it could have been otherwise, the blood of Christ had not been shed; for so it would seem to be shed in vain, and his satisfaction to be unnecessary; nor is it agreeable to the justice of God to forgive sin without satisfaction; nor is it consistent with his veracity, and faithfulness to his word, ( Genesis 2:17 ) . It is a common saying with the Jews, and often to be met with in their writings, (Mdb ala hrpk Nya) , "there is no atonement but by blood" ^F11; by the shedding of blood; not by the shedding of it, as it flows out of the body of the sacrifice, but as it is poured out on the altar; for the pouring of the blood at the four corners, and at the bottom of the altar, were the chief rites required in sacrifices; nor did they reckon expiation to be expiation, unless the altar was moistened by the blood of the sacrifice ^F12.

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 5. 1. Zebachim, fol. 6. 1. & Menachot, fol. 93. 2.
F12 Reland. Heb. Antiqu. par. 3. c. 2. sect. 8.

Hebrews 9:22 In-Context

20 He said, "This is the blood which seals the covenant that God has commanded you to obey."

21 In the same way Moses also sprinkled the blood on the Sacred Tent and over all the things used in worship.

22 Indeed, according to the Law almost everything is purified by blood, and sins are forgiven only if blood is poured out.

23 Those things, which are copies of the heavenly originals, had to be purified in that way. But the heavenly things themselves require much better sacrifices.

24 For Christ did not go into a Holy Place made by human hands, which was a copy of the real one. He went into heaven itself, where he now appears on our behalf in the presence of God.

Cross References

• 1. 9.22Leviticus 17.11.