Hebrews 7:20

20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath,

Hebrews 7:20 in Other Translations

20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath,

20 This new system was established with a solemn oath. Aaron’s descendants became priests without such an oath,

20 The old priesthood of Aaron perpetuated itself automatically, father to son, without explicit confirmation by God.

20 And inasmuch as [it is] not without the taking of an oath

20 None of this happened without an oath. The men from the tribe of Levi may have become priests without an oath,

20 None of this [happened] without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,

20 The change of priests was made with an oath. Others became priests without any oath.

Hebrews 7:20 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 7:20

And inasmuch as not without an oath
Our version supplies as follows,

he was made priest;
which well agrees with what is said in the next verse; the Syriac version renders it, "and which he confirmed to us by an oath"; that is, the better hope, Christ and his priesthood, said to be brought in, and by which men draw nigh to God; this is established by the oath of God himself referring to ( Psalms 110:4 ) afterwards cited in proof of it.

Hebrews 7:20 In-Context

18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless

19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath,

21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’ ”

22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.