Devine Scripture

Hebrews 7:18

What does Hebrews 7:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 7:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 7:18 means

Given this divine appointment of a forever priest, the earlier commandment is set aside because it was weak and unprofitable. The law’s priestly regulations could not accomplish ultimate cleansing or grant permanent access to God. This does not slander the law but recognizes its designed limits. It was provisional, pointing beyond itself. Now that the higher priesthood has come, the previous arrangement gives way. The author underscores that God Himself has replaced the old command with something better, because the old could not finish what God intended for His people.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So the law which went before is put on one side, because it was feeble and without profit.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for a disannulling indeed doth come of the command going before because of its weakness, and unprofitableness,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

There is indeed a setting aside of the former commandment, because of the weakness and unprofitableness thereof:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For there is a setting aside of the commandment going before for its weakness and unprofitableness,

Context

With the new order established by divine testimony, the writer addresses the status of the previous system. Verse 18 states its annulment due to inherent weakness. Verse 19 clarifies that the law made nothing perfect and adds the positive side: a better hope has been introduced through which we approach God. This transition is crucial pastorally for readers tempted to return to the old ways; the new priesthood brings what the old never could—nearness to God.

v.17for it is witnessed of him, Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.

v.18This passage

v.19(for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw nigh unto God.

Cross references

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

  • Hebrews 7:19

    (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw nigh unto God.

  • Galatians 3:15

    Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto.

  • Galatians 3:17

    Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect.

  • Acts 13:39

    and by him every one that believeth is justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

  • Romans 8:3

    For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

  • 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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