Hebrews 9:22 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And almost all things are—purged with blood;— Some things by the law were purified or cleansed with water only: Exodus 19:10. Leviticus 16:28 others were purified with the water of separation; Numbers 19:9; Numbers 19:11; Numbers 19:22 other things were cleansed by fire (Numbers 31:22-23.) and by the water of separation jointly; but, generally speaking, all thingswere purified by blood; and therefore the apostle makes use of the word almost. The last clause was a proverbial saying which is to be met with in the Jerusalem Talmud; and it appears from Leviticus 5:11; Leviticus 5:13 that this clause also is to be understood with the exception above given: "In general, without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness;" and this was absolutely the case as it related to a future state. This passage appears to be a certain proof that the sin-offerings were not merely tokens of friendship restored between God and the offender; but that the blood was looked upon as the consideration on which the pardon was granted