Hebrews 7:23
New International Version
Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office;

New Living Translation
There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office.

English Standard Version
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,

Berean Standard Bible
Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.

Berean Literal Bible
And indeed those having become priests are many, because of being prevented from continuing by death.

King James Bible
And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

New King James Version
Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.

New American Standard Bible
The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing;

NASB 1995
The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing,

NASB 1977
And the former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers, because they were prevented by death from continuing,

Legacy Standard Bible
And the former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing,

Amplified Bible
The [former successive line of] priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were each prevented by death from continuing [perpetually in office];

Christian Standard Bible
Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office.

American Standard Version
And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing:

Contemporary English Version
There have been a lot of other priests, and all of them have died.

English Revised Version
And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
There was a long succession of priests because when a priest died he could no longer serve.

Good News Translation
There is another difference: there were many of those other priests, because they died and could not continue their work.

International Standard Version
There have been many priests, since each one of them had to stop serving in office when he died.

Majority Standard Bible
Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.

NET Bible
And the others who became priests were numerous, because death prevented them from continuing in office,

New Heart English Bible
Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

Weymouth New Testament
And they have been appointed priests many in number, because death prevents their continuance in office:

World English Bible
Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and those indeed are many who have become priests, because by death they are hindered from remaining;

Berean Literal Bible
And indeed those having become priests are many, because of being prevented from continuing by death.

Young's Literal Translation
and those indeed are many who have become priests, because by death they are hindered from remaining;

Smith's Literal Translation
And they truly are become many priests, by reason of death being hindered from remaining:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the others indeed were made many priests, because by reason of death they were not suffered to continue:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And certainly, so many of the others became priests because, due to death, they were prohibited from continuing.

New American Bible
Those priests were many because they were prevented by death from remaining in office,

New Revised Standard Version
Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And these priests were many, because they were mortal, and they were not permitted to continue because of death:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And there were many Priests because they were dying and were not permitted to continue.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And those priests, indeed, have been many, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office.

Godbey New Testament
And indeed many have been made priests, because they were prohibited by death from continuing:

Haweis New Testament
And they indeed are many who were made priests, because by death they were prevented from abiding in their office:

Mace New Testament
besides, the priesthood then devolv'd to many, death depriving them of a lasting possession.

Weymouth New Testament
And they have been appointed priests many in number, because death prevents their continuance in office:

Worrell New Testament
And they, indeed, have been made priests many in number, because by death they are hindered from continuing;

Worsley New Testament
And they were many priests, because they were by death hindered from continuing in their office;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Superior Priesthood
22Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. 23Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. 24But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood.…

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.”

Hebrews 5:6
And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 9:24-25
For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God. / Nor did He enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.

Hebrews 10:11-12
Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. / But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.

Romans 8:34
Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

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 9:11
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation.

Hebrews 10:21
and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

Hebrews 7:16-17
one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life. / For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 4:14
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess.

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 9:15
Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

Hebrews 7:27
Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.

Hebrews 10:14
because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.


Treasury of Scripture

And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

were.

Hebrews 7:8
And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

1 Chronicles 6:3-14
And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar…

Nehemiah 12:10,11
And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada, …

Jump to Previous
Account Appointed Continuance Continue Continuing Death Existed Former Great Greater Hand Hindered Indeed Numbers Office Prevented Prevents Priests Reason Remaining Suffered True.
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Account Appointed Continuance Continue Continuing Death Existed Former Great Greater Hand Hindered Indeed Numbers Office Prevented Prevents Priests Reason Remaining Suffered True.
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.














Now there have been many other priests
This phrase highlights the historical context of the Levitical priesthood, which was established under the Mosaic Law. The Greek word for "priests" here is "ἱερεῖς" (hiereis), referring to those who served in the temple, offering sacrifices and mediating between God and the people. Historically, the Levitical priesthood was characterized by a succession of priests, as no single priest could serve indefinitely due to mortality. This system required many priests over generations, emphasizing the temporary and imperfect nature of the old covenant.

since death prevented them from continuing in office
The phrase underscores the human limitation of the Levitical priests. The Greek word for "death" is "θάνατος" (thanatos), which signifies the inevitable end of life that all humans face. This mortality prevented any priest from serving permanently, highlighting the transient nature of their ministry. In a broader theological context, this limitation points to the need for a priesthood that transcends death, which is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. His eternal priesthood, as described later in Hebrews, contrasts with the temporary service of the Levitical priests, offering a perfect and everlasting mediation between God and humanity.

(23) Were many priests.--Rather, have been made priests many (i.e., in large numbers), because by death they were prevented from continuing. (Comp. Hebrews 7:8, where the thought is somewhat similar.)

Verses 23, 24. - And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because of being by death hindered from continuing. But he, because of his abiding forever, hath his priesthood unchangeable. This second point of contrast has already been twice touched on - ver. 8, with respect to the claim to tithe; and ver. 16, with respect to the order of priesthood: here it is with especial reference to the eternal personality, and hence the perpetual and complete efficiency, of our one Priest. The repetitions are not tautological, having each time different bearings. The contrast here, as before, is between mortal men who succeed each other in the office of priesthood, and One who has the office inherent in himself forever. The word ἀπαράβατον (translated "unchangeable") is taken by some in an intransitive sense, as in margin of the A.V., that doth not pass to another, equivalent to ἀδιάδοχον. This, however, is not the proper force of this late Greek word, nor does the sense of the passage of necessity require it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Now
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

there
εἰσιν (eisin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

have been
γεγονότες (gegonotes)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

many
πλείονές (pleiones)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural - Comparative
Strong's 4119: Or neuter pleion, or pleon comparative of polus; more in quantity, number, or quality; also the major portion.

[other]
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

priests,
ἱερεῖς (hiereis)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
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.

since
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

death
θανάτῳ (thanatō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2288: Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death.

prevented them from
κωλύεσθαι (kōlyesthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 2967: To prevent, debar, hinder; with infin: from doing so and so. From the base of kolazo; to estop, i.e. Prevent.

continuing [in office].
παραμένειν (paramenein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3887: To remain by, abide with; met: I persevere in. From para and meno; to stay near, i.e. Remain.


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NT Letters: Hebrews 7:23 Many indeed have been made priests because (Heb. He. Hb)
Hebrews 7:22
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