For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.
Parallel translations
- WEB For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law.
- KJV For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
- BSB For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.
- NKJV For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.
- NLT And if the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed to permit it.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
When the priesthood changes, the law must also change. A new priesthood entails a fundamental shift in the entire legal order.
Overview
Because the priesthood was woven into the whole Mosaic law, a change of priesthood necessarily brings a change in the law itself. The arrival of Christ's Melchizedek priesthood therefore signals the passing of the old covenant order. This prepares for the writer's argument that a better covenant has come.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Jer 31:31–34“Behold, the days come,” says Yahweh, “that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
- Isa 66:21Of them I will also select priests and Levites,” says Yahweh.
- Ezek 16:61Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed, when you receive your sisters, your elder sisters and your younger; and I will give them to you for daughters, but not by your covenant.
- Acts 6:13–14and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Hebrews is sustained worship of Christ: better than angels, Moses, and the priests; the great High Priest after Melchizedek who by one sacrifice perfects forever those he saves.
How Hebrews 7:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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