Other is implied, as in verse 23. The background of this verse is the order of worship on the Day of Atonement; see Leviticus 9.7; 16.6, 15 (where “Aaron” means the High Priest); see also Hebrews 5.3. This, however, was an annual, not a daily event. If other is added in translation (as in Good News Translation), it may be necessary to choose between the meanings “different in kind” and “different as individuals.” In this context the meaning “different in kind” is appropriate.

This verse includes a double contrast which should be kept in translation: (a) every day … once and for all; (b) offer sacrifices … offered himself.

He does not need to offer sacrifices may be expressed as “it is not necessary for him to offer sacrifices” or “… to sacrifice.” In some languages to offer sacrifices may be rendered as “to kill gifts for God” or “to kill animals as gifts to God.”

In rendering for his own sins, it is essential to avoid a wording which would suggest “for the benefit of his sins” in the sense of “to enhance his sins.” It is also important to avoid a rendering of for which will suggest “to pay for,” as though sacrifices were made in order to pay for sins and thus to enjoy them.

Good News Translation‘s second sentence in the Greek is literally “for this he did once-for-all, having offered himself.” “For” introduces the reason for the statement in the first part of the verse. “This,” in the light of 4.15, cannot mean “offered sacrifice both for his own sins and those of the people.” It means “offered sacrifice for the people.” This is the basis of Good News Bible‘s rearrangement.

Offered (9.28; 13.15; James 2.21; 1 Peter 1.5) is often used of “offering up” or “carrying up” a sacrifice to an altar. The meaning here is that of offering a sacrifice “up” to God, but this is not emphasized and Good News Translation leaves it implicit. This theme will be developed in chapter 9.

Once and for all and “once” (compare 6.4) in the Greek are keywords in the letter: “once and for all” 9.12 ; 10.10; “once” 9.7, 26-28; 10.2; 12.26, 27. Once and for all is an English idiom which means the same as “once,” but it is more emphatic, like the Greek word which it translates. It means “one time for all times,” not “for all people.”

When he offered himself may be rendered as “when he gave himself to God” or “when he gave himself to God as a sacrifice.”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Letter of the Hebrews. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .