Hebrews 7:11
What does Hebrews 7:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 7:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 7:11 means
The argument turns from history to necessity. If the Levitical priesthood could bring perfection—complete access to God and a fully cleansed conscience—there would be no need to speak of another priest after Melchizedek’s order instead of Aaron’s. But the very mention of a different order shows the first was incomplete. Since the law was bound up with the Levitical system, a change in priesthood signals that God intended something more. The writer implies that an older, provisional system cannot finish the work; a new, higher priest is required to secure the perfection God promises to His people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron?
KJV
King James Version · 1611If 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?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now if it was possible for things to be made complete through the priests of the house of Levi (for the law was given to the people in connection with them), what need was there for another priest who was of the order of Melchizedek and not of the order of Aaron?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862If indeed, then, perfection were through the Levitical priesthood--for the people under it had received law--what further need, according to the order of Melchisedek, for another priest to arise, and not to be called according to the order of Aaron?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If then perfection was by the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchisedech: and not be called according to the order of Aaron?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If indeed then perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, for the people had their law given to them in connexion with it, what need [was there] still that a different priest should arise according to the order of Melchisedec, and not be named after the order of Aaron?
Context
Having shown Melchizedek’s superiority, the author raises a “why” question that exposes the Levitical priesthood’s limits. Verse 11 is the hinge: it introduces the necessity for a new order because perfection was not achieved under Levi. The next verses (12–14) spell out the logical consequence: a changed priesthood requires a change in law, especially since the coming priest belongs to a different tribe. This paves the way for identifying Jesus, from Judah, as the fulfillment of the Melchizedek pattern.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 7:17
for it is witnessed of him, Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.
- Colossians 2:10
and in him ye are made full, who is the head of all principality and power:
- Hebrews 10:1
For the law having a shadow of the goodthingsto come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect them that draw nigh.
- Hebrews 7:21
(for they indeed have been made priests without an oath; but he with an oath by him that saith of him, The Lord sware and will not repent himself, Thou art a priest for ever);
- Hebrews 6:20
whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
- Galatians 4:9
but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again?
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