But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
Parallel translations
- WEB But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable.
- KJV But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
- BSB But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent 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 multitude answered him, “We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever. How do you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up?’ Who is this Son of Man?”
- Heb 7:28For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath which came after the law appoints a Son forever who has been perfected.
- Isa 9:6–7For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Rev 1:18and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever more. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.
- Heb 7:8–25Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives.
- Heb 13:8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
- 1 Sam 2:35I will raise me up a faithful priest, that will do according to that which is in my heart and in my mind. I will build him a sure house; and he will walk before my anointed forever.
- Rom 6:9knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no more has dominion over him!
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 7:24 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.