For the priest we are talking about belongs to a different tribe, whose members have never served at the altar as priests.
Parallel translations
- WEB For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
- KJV For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
- BSB He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
- NKJV For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.
- NASB For the one about whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
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
The one of whom these things are spoken, Christ, belongs to a different tribe, none of whom ever served at the altar. His tribal origin proves his priesthood is of a different kind.
Overview
Jesus came from a tribe that had no part in the Levitical priesthood, showing his office cannot be Aaronic. This very fact confirms that his priesthood follows Melchizedek's order, not the law's prescriptions. It demonstrates that a genuine change of priesthood, and thus of covenant, has taken place.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Heb 7:11Now if there were perfection 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?
- Heb 7:14For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
- Num 17:5It shall happen, that the rod of the man whom I shall choose shall bud. I will make the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against you, cease from me.”
- 2 Chr 26:16–21But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly, and he trespassed against Yahweh his God; for he went into Yahweh’s temple to burn incense on the altar of incense.
- Num 16:40to be a memorial to the children of Israel, to the end that no stranger, who isn’t of the offspring of Aaron, would come near to burn incense before Yahweh, that he not be as Korah, and as his company; as Yahweh spoke to him by Moses.
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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 7:13 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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