Devine Scripture

Hebrews 7:17

What does Hebrews 7:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 7:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 7:17 means

The writer cites the divine testimony: “Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.” This word assures permanence and a distinct order. It is not a human appointment but God’s own declaration, fixing the priesthood in perpetuity. The citation confirms that the basis of this priesthood is foreverness—precisely what the Levitical order, with its succession of dying priests, could not provide. By anchoring the claim in Scripture, the author secures the reader’s confidence that the new priestly arrangement is God’s settled will, not a later innovation or mere theological inference.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for it is witnessed of him, Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for it is witnessed of him, Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For it has been witnessed of him, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for He doth testify--`Thou <FI>art<Fi> a priest--to the age, according to the order of Melchisedek;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For he testifieth: Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For it is borne witness, Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedec.

Context

After asserting the power of endless life, the author grounds it in Scripture’s witness. Verse 17 is the linchpin tying the Melchizedek pattern directly to God’s decree. With that foundation in place, verses 18–19 explain the effect: the prior commandment is annulled due to its weakness, and a better hope is introduced, one that brings believers near to God. The structure moves from promise and pattern to practical implication for access to God.

v.16who hath been made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life:

v.17This passage

v.18For there is a disannulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 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 7:15

    And what we say is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest,

  • Hebrews 5:6

    as he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.

  • Psalms 110:4

    Jehovah hath sworn, and will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.

  • Hebrews 5:10

    named of God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

  • Hebrews 6:20

    whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

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