Hebrews 7:12
New International Version
For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also.

New Living Translation
And if the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed to permit it.

English Standard Version
For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.

Berean Standard Bible
For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.

Berean Literal Bible
For of the priesthood being changed, from necessity a change of Law also takes place.

King James Bible
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

New King James Version
For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.

New American Standard Bible
For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.

NASB 1995
For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.

NASB 1977
For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.

Legacy Standard Bible
For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.

Amplified Bible
For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is of necessity a change of the law [concerning the priesthood] as well.

Christian Standard Bible
For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well.

American Standard Version
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

Contemporary English Version
And when the rules for selecting a priest are changed, the Law must also be changed.

English Revised Version
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When a different kind of priesthood is established, the regulations for those priests are different.

Good News Translation
For when the priesthood is changed, there also has to be a change in the law.

International Standard Version
When a change in the priesthood takes place, there must also be a change in the Law.

Majority Standard Bible
For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.

NET Bible
For when the priesthood changes, a change in the law must come as well.

New Heart English Bible
For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law.

Webster's Bible Translation
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

Weymouth New Testament
For when the priesthood changes, a change of Law also of necessity takes place.

World English Bible
For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For the priesthood being changed, of necessity also, a change comes of the Law,

Berean Literal Bible
For of the priesthood being changed, from necessity a change of Law also takes place.

Young's Literal Translation
for the priesthood being changed, of necessity also, of the law a change doth come,

Smith's Literal Translation
For the priesthood being transferred, of necessity also is a transposition of law.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For the priesthood being translated, it is necessary that a translation also be made of the law.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For since the priesthood has been transferred, it is necessary that the law also be transferred.

New American Bible
When there is a change of priesthood, there is necessarily a change of law as well.

New Revised Standard Version
For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Since there was a change in the priesthood, so also there was a change in the law.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But just as there was a change in The Priesthood, in this way there was also a change in The Law.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
It is evident that, when the priest hood is changed, there is of necessity a change also of the law.

Godbey New Testament
For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is a change of the law.

Haweis New Testament
For the priesthood being transferred, there is of necessity an abrogation of the law also.

Mace New Testament
now the priesthood being changed, the law must necessarily be changed too.

Weymouth New Testament
For when the priesthood changes, a change of Law also of necessity takes place.

Worrell New Testament
For, the priesthood being changed, there is made, of necessity, a change of law also.

Worsley New Testament
For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change also of the law.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Superior Priesthood
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. 13He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.…

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.

Exodus 29:9
Wrap the sashes around Aaron and his sons and tie headbands on them. The priesthood shall be theirs by a permanent statute. In this way you are to ordain Aaron and his sons.

Numbers 18:7
But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and what is inside the veil, and you are to perform that service. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but any outsider who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.”

1 Samuel 2:35
Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest. He will do whatever is in My heart and mind. And I will build for him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed one for all time.

Jeremiah 31:31-34
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. / It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. / “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. ...

Zechariah 6:13
Yes, He will build the temple of the LORD; He will be clothed in splendor and will sit on His throne and rule. And He will be a priest on His throne, and there will be peaceful counsel between the two.’

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.

Matthew 12:6
But I tell you that One greater than the temple is here.

Matthew 26:28
This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Mark 2:27-28
Then Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. / Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Luke 22:20
In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.

John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Acts 6:14
For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

Romans 7:12
So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.


Treasury of Scripture

For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

a change.

Isaiah 66:21
And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 31:31-34
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: …

Ezekiel 16:61
Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant.

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Hebrews 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.














For when
The phrase "for when" introduces a conditional statement, indicating a cause-and-effect relationship. In the Greek, the word "when" (ὅταν, hotan) suggests a specific time or condition that must be met. This sets the stage for understanding the necessity of change within the context of the priesthood and the law. Historically, this reflects the transition from the Levitical priesthood to the priesthood of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the ushering in of a new covenant.

the priesthood
The term "priesthood" (ἱερωσύνη, hierosynē) refers to the office and function of priests. In the Old Testament, the Levitical priesthood was established under the Mosaic Law, with priests serving as mediators between God and the people. The priesthood of Jesus, however, is of a different order—Melchizedek's order—signifying a superior and eternal priesthood. This change highlights the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Christ, who serves as the ultimate High Priest.

is changed
The Greek word for "is changed" (μετατίθεται, metatithemi) implies a transfer or transformation. This signifies a fundamental shift from the old covenant, represented by the Levitical priesthood, to the new covenant, established through Jesus Christ. This change is not merely a modification but a complete transformation, indicating the obsolescence of the old system and the establishment of a new, perfect way to approach God.

the law
"The law" (νόμος, nomos) refers to the Mosaic Law, which governed the religious, moral, and social life of Israel. The law was intrinsically linked to the Levitical priesthood, as it prescribed the rituals and sacrifices necessary for atonement. With the change in priesthood, the law's role also transforms, as it is fulfilled in Christ. This fulfillment does not abolish the law but rather completes its purpose, pointing to the righteousness found in Jesus.

must be changed
The necessity of change (ἀνάγκη, anagkē) underscores the divine requirement for transformation. The change in the law is not optional but essential, as it aligns with God's sovereign plan of salvation. This reflects the prophetic anticipation of a new covenant, as foretold in Jeremiah 31:31-34, where God promises to write His law on the hearts of His people, signifying an internal transformation rather than external adherence.

as well
The phrase "as well" (καί, kai) indicates that the change in the law is concurrent with the change in the priesthood. This conjunction emphasizes the inseparable link between the two, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of the new covenant. The transformation of both the priesthood and the law illustrates the holistic renewal brought about by Christ's sacrificial work, offering believers a direct and personal relationship with God.

(12) This verse connects itself with the parenthesis in Hebrews 7:11. "For if the priesthood is changed there takes place also of necessity a change of law." It is no light matter to speak of the order of Aaron as set aside: this carries with it a change of law.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For [when]
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

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.

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.

is changed,
μετατιθεμένης (metatithemenēs)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3346: From meta and tithemi; to transfer, i.e. transport, exchange, change sides, or pervert.

[the] Law
νόμου (nomou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.

must
ἀνάγκης (anankēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 318: From ana and the base of agkale; constraint; by implication, distress.

be changed
μετάθεσις (metathesis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3331: (a) change, transformation, (b) removal. From metatithemi; transposition, i.e. Transferral, disestablishment.

as well.
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.


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NT Letters: Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed there (Heb. He. Hb)
Hebrews 7:11
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