But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Parallel translations
- WEB But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable.
- BSB But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood.
- NKJV But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
- NASB Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.
- NLT But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever.
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
Because Christ lives forever, he holds a permanent, unchangeable priesthood. His office never passes to a successor.
Overview
Unlike the many mortal Levitical priests, Jesus continues forever and so holds his priesthood permanently. The term suggests a priesthood that cannot be transferred or interrupted. This permanence is the ground of the complete and lasting salvation described in the next verse.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- John 12:34The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
- Heb 7:28For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
- Isa 9:6–7For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
- Rev 1:18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
- Heb 7:8–25And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
- Heb 13:8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
- 1 Sam 2:35And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.
- Rom 6:9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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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 7:24 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.