"It is Appointed for Men to Die Once"- A re-examination of Hebrews 9:27

In Hebrews 9:27, we read: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."

This verse is often cited by those who reject the concept of reincarnation, using it as a strong argument to support their stance. But does this verse truly negate reincarnation? Is reincarnation even the subject under discussion? Was the writer of Hebrews addressing reincarnation at all?

To answer these questions, it's essential to read the verse in its full context. We need to examine the entirety of Hebrews chapter 9. It's as simple as that—no guesses, no debates, and no presumptions. We need the mindset of an objective investigator.

A careful study of Hebrews 9 reveals that the writer was not discussing reincarnation at all. Instead, the focus was on contrasting the old sacrificial system with the ultimate and final priesthood of Jesus. While the Old Testament sacrifices had to be repeated, Christ's sacrifice was once and for all, and infinitely more effective than the sacrifice of animals.

The last few verses of Hebrews 9 provide the full context: "25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him."

When we read this passage in its proper context, it's clear that the verse is not about reincarnation. The writer's intent was to explain the final, once-and-for-all nature of Christ's sacrifice. Therefore, Hebrews 9:27 is not a denial of reincarnation and cannot be stretched to mean this.

For those who take the phrase "die once" in an overly literal sense, I pose this question: How many times did Lazarus die? How many times did the young man of Nain die?

When understood correctly, reincarnation can offer explanations for many human experiences.