Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 9:7

"but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offereth for himself, and for the errors of the people:" — Hebrews 9:7 (ASV)

Went . . . offered.—Rather, enters . . . offers.

Errors.—Literally, ignorances. (Hebrews 7:27.)

By once in the year we must of course understand on one day of the year, namely, the tenth day of Tisri.

On that day, according to Leviticus 16, it was the duty of the high priest to enter the Holy of Holies twice:

1. with the incense and with the blood of the bullock, his own sin-offering (Leviticus 16:12–14);
2. with the blood of the same bullock and that of the goat, the sin-offering for the people (Hebrews 9:15–19).

In the ritual described in the tract “Joma” of the Talmud, he is said to enter four times; the first ministration being separated into its two parts (offering incense, sprinkling the blood of the bullock), and a fourth entry to bring out the censer being added.