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Book of Hebrews - Chapter 9 - Verse 12

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.

Meaning

This verse from the book of Hebrews emphasizes the superior nature of Christ's sacrifice compared to the traditional offerings of the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, priests would offer sacrifices of goats and calves as a temporary atonement for the sins of the people. However, the sacrifice of Christ was different because he offered his own blood as a perfect and eternal sacrifice. By shedding his blood on the cross, Christ provided a once-for-all redemption for all who believe in him. This act allowed him to enter the holy place, symbolizing his victory over sin and death. The author of Hebrews is highlighting the significance of Christ's sacrifice as the ultimate means of obtaining eternal redemption for humanity. This verse underscores the importance of recognizing and accepting Christ's sacrifice as the only way to experience true and lasting redemption from sin.

Theological Overview

One theological interpretation of Hebrews 9:12 focuses on the contrast between the Old Testament sacrificial system and the ultimate atonement brought by Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews emphasizes that the previous offerings of goats and calves could never truly take away sin permanently, but Jesus, by shedding His own blood, entered the heavenly sanctuary once and for all, securing eternal redemption for believers. This unique act of sacrifice not only foreshadowed the fulfillment of the Law but also provided a lasting solution to the problem of sin.

Furthermore, a word study on the term "eternal redemption" reveals the depth of the salvation accomplished through Christ's sacrifice. The Greek word used here, "apolutrōsis," carries the connotation of being bought back or ransomed at a great cost. This emphasizes the costly nature of redemption, pointing to the preciousness of Christ's blood and the permanence of the salvation secured for believers. It highlights the eternal aspect of the redemption, indicating that it is not temporary or subject to decay but is enduring and complete.

American Standard Version

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.
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