Hebrews 7:16-26

16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of 1physical requirement, but according to the power of 2an indestructible life.
17 For it is attested of Him, "3YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK."
18 For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment 4because of its weakness and uselessness
19 (for 5the Law made nothing perfect ), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better 6hope, through which we 7draw near to God.
20 And inasmuch * as it was not without an oath
21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, "8THE LORD HAS SWORN AND 9WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND, 'YOU ARE A PRIEST 10FOREVER ' ");
22 so much the more also Jesus has become the 11guarantee of 12a better covenant.
23 The former priests, on the one hand, existed * in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing,
24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues 13forever, holds His priesthood permanently.
25 Therefore He is able also to 14save forever * those who 15draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to 16make intercession for them.
26 For it was fitting for us to have such a 17high priest, 18holy, 19innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and 20exalted above the heavens;

Cross References 20

  • 1. Hebrews 9:10
  • 2. Hebrews 9:14
  • 3. Psalms 110:4; Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:21
  • 4. Romans 8:3; Galatians 3:21; Hebrews 7:11
  • 5. Acts 13:39; Romans 3:20; Romans 7:7; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:21; Hebrews 9:9; Hebrews 10:1
  • 6. Hebrews 3:6
  • 7. Lamentations 3:57; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 10:1, 22; James 4:8
  • 8. Psalms 110:4; Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 7:17
  • 9. Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Romans 11:29
  • 10. Heb 7:23f, 28
  • 11. Psalms 119:122; Isaiah 38:14
  • 12. Hebrews 8:6
  • 13. Isaiah 9:7; John 12:34; Romans 9:5; Heb 7:23f, 28
  • 14. 1 Corinthians 1:21
  • 15. Hebrews 7:19
  • 16. Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:24
  • 17. Hebrews 2:17
  • 18. 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15
  • 19. 1 Peter 2:22
  • 20. Hebrews 4:14

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Lit "fleshly commandment;" i.e. to be a descendant of Levi
  • [b]. Lit "The greater number have become priests..."
  • [c]. Or "completely"
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