For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
Parallel translations
- WEB For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law;
- BSB Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer gifts according to the law.
- NKJV For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law;
- NASB Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law;
- NLT If he were here on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there already are priests who offer the gifts required by the law.
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
If Christ were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since earthly priests already serve under the law. His priesthood belongs to the heavenly, not the earthly, order.
Overview
On earth the priestly office was occupied by Levitical priests according to the law, leaving no place there for Christ. His priesthood is therefore heavenly, exercised in the true sanctuary above. This confirms that his ministry transcends and surpasses the earthly system.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Heb 7:11–15If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
- Heb 5:1For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
- Num 18:5And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.
- Num 17:12–13And the children of Israel spake unto Moses, saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish.
- 2 Chr 26:18–19And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.
- Num 16:40To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.
- Heb 11:4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
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 8:4 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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