Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? New Living Translation So if the priesthood of Levi, on which the law was based, could have achieved the perfection God intended, why did God need to establish a different priesthood, with a priest in the order of Melchizedek instead of the order of Levi and Aaron? English Standard Version Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? Berean Standard Bible Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? Berean Literal Bible Then indeed, if perfection were by the Levitical priesthood (for upon it the people had received the Law) what need was there still for another priest to arise, according to the order of Melchizedek, and not to be named according to the order of Aaron? King James Bible If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? New King James Version Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? New American Standard Bible So if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? NASB 1995 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? NASB 1977 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? Legacy Standard Bible Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? Amplified Bible Now if perfection [a perfect fellowship between God and the worshiper] had been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people were given the Law) what further need was there for another and different kind of priest to arise, one in the manner of Melchizedek, rather than one appointed to the order of Aaron? Christian Standard Bible Now if perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the law ), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be according to the order of Melchizedek and not according to the order of Aaron? Holman Christian Standard Bible If then, perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? American Standard Version Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron? Contemporary English Version Even though the Law of Moses says the priests must be descendants of Levi, those priests cannot make anyone perfect. So there needs to be a priest like Melchizedek, rather than one from the priestly family of Aaron. English Revised Version Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron? GOD'S WORD® Translation The people established the Levitical priesthood based on instructions they received. If the work of the Levitical priests had been perfect, we wouldn't need to speak about another kind of priest. However, we speak about another kind of priest, a priest like Melchizedek, not a Levitical priest like Aaron. Good News Translation It was on the basis of the levitical priesthood that the Law was given to the people of Israel. Now, if the work of the levitical priests had been perfect, there would have been no need for a different kind of priest to appear, one who is in the priestly order of Melchizedek, not of Aaron. International Standard Version Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—for on this basis the people received the Law—what further need would there be to speak of appointing another kind of priest according to the order of Melchizedek, not one according to the order of Aaron? Majority Standard Bible Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? NET Bible So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthood--for on that basis the people received the law--what further need would there have been for another priest to arise, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in Aaron's order? New Heart English Bible Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? Webster's Bible Translation If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? Weymouth New Testament Now if the crowning blessing was attainable by means of the Levitical priesthood--for as resting on this foundation the people received the Law, to which they are still subject-- what further need was there for a Priest of a different kind to be raised up belonging to the order of Melchizedek instead of being said to belong to the order of Aaron? World English Bible Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIf indeed, then, perfection were through the Levitical priesthood—for the people under it had received law—what further need, according to the order of Melchizedek, for another priest to arise, and not to be called according to the order of Aaron? Berean Literal Bible Then indeed, if perfection were by the Levitical priesthood (for upon it the people had received the Law) what need was there still for another priest to arise, according to the order of Melchizedek, and not to be named according to the order of Aaron? Young's Literal Translation If indeed, then, perfection were through the Levitical priesthood -- for the people under it had received law -- what further need, according to the order of Melchisedek, for another priest to arise, and not to be called according to the order of Aaron? Smith's Literal Translation If truly therefore completion were by the Levitical priesthood, (for the people received legislation by it,) what further need according to the order of Melchisedec for another priest to be raised, and not according to the order of Aaron? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf then perfection was by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchisedech, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? Catholic Public Domain Version Therefore, if consummation had occurred through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), then what further need would there be for another Priest to rise up according to the order of Melchizedek, one who was not called according to the order of Aaron? New American Bible If, then, perfection came through the levitical priesthood, on the basis of which the people received the law, what need would there still have been for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not reckoned according to the order of Aaron? New Revised Standard Version Now if perfection had been attainable through the levitical priesthood—for the people received the law under this priesthood—what further need would there have been to speak of another priest arising according to the order of Melchizedek, rather than one according to the order of Aaron? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIf therefore perfection had been reached by the Le-vit’ic-al priesthood, by which the law was enacted for the people, what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Mel-chis'e-dec? Otherwise, the scriptures would have said, that he would be after the order of Aaron. Aramaic Bible in Plain English If perfection therefore is by Priesthood of Levi, ( for by it The Written Law was established to the people ), why was another Priest needed to arise in the image of Melchizedek? But does it say that he would be in the image of Aaron? NT Translations Anderson New TestamentIf, then, there had been a perfect expiation by means of the Levitical priesthood, (for with reference to it, the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should be raised up after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? Godbey New Testament Then indeed if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood, for unto it the people have been tithed, what need is there still that another priest shall rise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? Haweis New Testament If therefore there was perfection by the Levitical priesthood (for under that the people had the law given to them), what farther need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? Mace New Testament If therefore the Levitical priesthood, concerning which the people received a law, could have given perfection, what further need was there that another priest should rise, to be named after the order of Melchisedec, and not after the order of Aaron? Weymouth New Testament Now if the crowning blessing was attainable by means of the Levitical priesthood--for as resting on this foundation the people received the Law, to which they are still subject-- what further need was there for a Priest of a different kind to be raised up belonging to the order of Melchizedek instead of being said to belong to the order of Aaron? Worrell New Testament If, therefore, there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there, that another Priest should arise according to the rank of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned according to the rank of Aaron? Worsley New Testament Now if perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law) what farther need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchisedec, and not after the order of Aaron? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context A Superior Priesthood10For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor. 11Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear— one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? 12For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.… Cross References Psalm 110:4 The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” Genesis 14:18-20 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High— / and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, / and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. Hebrews 5:6 And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5:10 and was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:20 where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 8:6 Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises. Hebrews 9:9-10 It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper. / They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform. Hebrews 10:1 For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Galatians 3:19 Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator. Romans 7:12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good. Romans 8:3-4 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, / so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Acts 13:39 Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Exodus 28:1 “Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests. Treasury of Scripture If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? perfection. Hebrews 7:18,19 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof… Hebrews 8:7,10-13 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second… Hebrews 10:1-4 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect… what. Hebrews 7:26-28 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; … another. Hebrews 7:15,17,21 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, … See on ch. Hebrews 5:6,10 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec… Hebrews 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Jump to Previous Aaron Arise Attainable Basis Belong Belonging Blessing Crowning Different Foundation Further Instead Kind Means Melchisedec Melchizedek Need Order Perfection Priest Priesthood Raised Received Resting Rise SubjectJump to Next Aaron Arise Attainable Basis Belong Belonging Blessing Crowning Different Foundation Further Instead Kind Means Melchisedec Melchizedek Need Order Perfection Priest Priesthood Raised Received Resting Rise SubjectHebrews 7 1. Christ Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek;11. and so far more excellent than the priests of Aaron's order. Now if perfection The term "perfection" in Greek is "teleiosis," which implies a state of completeness or fulfillment. In the context of the Levitical priesthood, it suggests the ultimate goal of spiritual maturity and reconciliation with God. The Levitical system, with its sacrifices and rituals, was never intended to bring about this ultimate perfection. It served as a temporary measure, pointing towards a more complete solution in Christ. could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood for on this basis the people received the Law what further need would there have been for another priest to appear one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron Perfection.--Literally, the making perfect--the full accomplishment of the essential aim of priesthood, in bringing men "near to God." Received.--The better reading is hath received.--The object of this parenthesis is to point out the intimate relation between the Law and the priesthood: "I speak of the Levitical priesthood, for it is on the basis of this that the Law given to the people rests." Another priest.--That is (as the Greek implies), a priest of a different kind (Hebrews 7:13; Hebrews 7:15). The question is equivalent to a strong denial: there could be no such need. Verses 11, 12. - If then perfection τελείωσις: cf. οὐδὲν γὰρ ἐτελείωσεν ὁ νόμος) were through the Levitical priesthood for under it (rather, upon it, on the ground of it) the people hath received the Law), what need was there that another (rather, a different) priest should rise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron. For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the Law. Here a further thought is introduced. So far the superiority of the priesthood after the order of Melchizedek to the Aaronic has been shown. The new thought is that the very mention in the psalm of a different order of priesthood implies that the old order, and with it the whole legal dispensation which depended on it, was imperfect and to be superseded. This is the general drift of vers. 11, 12, though the sequence of thought in their several clauses is not easy to follow. Ideas in the writer's mind, not expressed, seem necessary to be understood. In the parenthetical clause of ver. 11, ἐπ αὐτὴς and νενομοθέτηται are decidedly to be preferred, on the ground of authority, to ἐπ αὐτῇ and νενομοθέτητο of the Textus Receptus. 'The meaning of the clause (whatever be the precise thought connecting it with the sentence in which it stands) is that the whole Law rested on the institution of the priesthood; not the priests only, but the whole people (ὁ λαὸς), received their Law as grounded on it. On the same idea depends ver. 12, where it is said that a change of the priesthood involves of necessity a change of the Law. The verses next following serve to remove all doubt that there is a complete change of the priesthood; the proofs being, not only the patent fact that the Messiah is of the tribe, not of Levi, but of Judah (vers. 13, 14), but also, for mere abundant evidence of the Divine purpose, that significant utterance, again adduced, about his being after the order, not of Aaron, but of Melchizedek (vers. 15, 16, 17).Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Nowοὖν (oun) Conjunction Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. if Εἰ (Ei) Conjunction Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. perfection τελείωσις (teleiōsis) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 5050: Completion, fulfillment, perfection. From phusioo; completion, i.e. verification, or absolution. could have been attained ἦν (ēn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. through διὰ (dia) Preposition Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Levitical Λευιτικῆς (Leuitikēs) Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 3020: Belonging to the tribe of Levi; Levitical. From Leuites; Levitic, i.e. Relating to the Levites. priesthood ἱερωσύνης (hierōsynēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 2420: The abstract notion of the priestly office. From hieros; sacredness, i.e. the priestly office. ( γὰρ (gar) Conjunction Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. upon ἐπ’ (ep’) Preposition Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at. [which] basis αὐτῆς (autēs) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. people λαὸς (laos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2992: Apparently a primary word; a people. received [the] Law), νενομοθέτηται (nenomothetētai) Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 3549: From nomothetes; to legislate, i.e. to have enactments injoined, be sanctioned. why τίς (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. [was there] still ἔτι (eti) Adverb Strong's 2089: (a) of time: still, yet, even now, (b) of degree: even, further, more, in addition. Perhaps akin to etos; 'yet, ' still. need χρεία (chreia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 5532: From the base of chraomai or chre; employment, i.e. An affair; also occasion, demand, requirement or destitution. [for] another ἕτερον (heteron) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 2087: (a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. Of uncertain affinity; other or different. priest ἱερέα (hierea) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 2409: A priest, one who offers sacrifice to a god (in Jewish and pagan religions; of Christians only met.). From hieros; a priest. to appear— ἀνίστασθαι (anistasthai) Verb - Present Infinitive Middle Strong's 450: To raise up, set up; I rise from among (the) dead; I arise, appear. From ana and histemi; to stand up. [one] λέγεσθαι (legesthai) Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. in κατὰ (kata) Preposition Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. order τάξιν (taxin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 5010: From tasso; regular arrangement, i.e. fixed succession, official dignity. of Melchizedek Μελχισέδεκ (Melchisedek) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 3198: Melchizedek, king and priest of Salem. Of Hebrew origin; Melchisedek, a patriarch. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. not οὐ (ou) Adverb Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. in κατὰ (kata) Preposition Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. order τάξιν (taxin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 5010: From tasso; regular arrangement, i.e. fixed succession, official dignity. of Aaron? Ἀαρὼν (Aarōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 2: Aaron, son of Amram and Jochebed, brother of Moses. Of Hebrew origin; Aaron, the brother of Moses. Links Hebrews 7:11 NIVHebrews 7:11 NLT Hebrews 7:11 ESV Hebrews 7:11 NASB Hebrews 7:11 KJV Hebrews 7:11 BibleApps.com Hebrews 7:11 Biblia Paralela Hebrews 7:11 Chinese Bible Hebrews 7:11 French Bible Hebrews 7:11 Catholic Bible NT Letters: Hebrews 7:11 Now if there was perfection through (Heb. He. Hb) |
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