Hebrews 7:18
16 one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life.
17 For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
So the former commandment 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 none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,
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
- So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless
- KJV
- For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
- WEB
- For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and uselessness
- ASV
- For there is a disannulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness
- DARBY
- For there is a setting aside of the commandment going before for its weakness and unprofitableness,
- BLB
- For indeed, there is a putting away of the preceding commandment because of its weakness and uselessness
- ÅB
- For et eldre bud settes ut av kraft, fordi det var svakt og unyttig -
- OTB
- Den forrige forskriften settes til side fordi den var svak og ineffektiv.
- B1930
- For et eldre bud settes ut av kraft, fordi det var svakt og unyttig -
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Romans 8:3
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,
Read in contextActs 13:39
Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.
Read in contextHebrews 7:11–12
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?
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 8:7–13
For if that first covenant had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second.
Read in contextHebrews 7:19
(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
Read in context1 Timothy 4:8
For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.
Read in contextGalatians 3:17
What I mean is this: The law that came 430 years later does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to nullify the promise.
Read in context