Hebrews 7:11
9 And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham.
10 For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.
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?
12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.
13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- 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?
- KJV
- 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?
- WEB
- 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?
- ASV
- 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?
- DARBY
- If indeed then perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, for the people had their law given to them in connexion with *it*, what need [was there] still that a different priest should arise according to the order of Melchisedec, and not be named after the order of Aaron?
- BLB
- Then indeed, if perfection were by the Levitical priesthood (for upon it the people had received the law) what need [was] still [for] another priest to arise, according to the order of Melchizedek and not to be called according to the order of Aaron?
- ÅB
- Var det da fullkommenhet å vinne ved det levittiske prestedømme - for dette var folket bundet til ved loven - hva trang hadde det da vært til at en annen prest skulle står fram etter Melkisedeks vis og ikke nevnes etter Arons vis?
- OTB
- Hvis fullkommenhet kunne ha blitt oppnådd gjennom det levittiske prestedømmet (for på grunnlag av det mottok folket Loven), hvorfor var det da fortsatt behov for en annen prest til å oppstå etter Melkisedeks orden, og ikke bli utpekt etter Arons orden?
- B1930
- Var det da fullkommenhet å vinne ved det levittiske prestedømme - for dette var folket bundet til ved loven - hvad trang hadde det da vært til at en annen prest skulde opstå efter Melkisedeks vis og ikke nevnes efter Arons vis?
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Hebrews 8:7
For if that first covenant had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second.
Read in contextGalatians 2:21
I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, Christ died for nothing.
Read in contextGalatians 4:9
But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
Read in contextHebrews 7:17–19
For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
Read in contextHebrews 8:10–13
For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their minds and inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.
Read in contextHebrews 5:6
And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
Read in contextHebrews 7:15
And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
Read in contextHebrews 7:21
but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’”
Read in context