Devine Scripture

Hebrews 7:22

What does Hebrews 7:22 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 7:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 7:22 means

Because his priesthood is founded on God’s oath, Jesus is the surety—the personal guarantee—of a better covenant. He stands as the pledge that its promises will be fulfilled. This goes beyond explaining a new order; it declares its effectiveness and reliability. The covenant is better because it rests on an eternal priest whose ministry never fails or ends. Believers can trust that what God has promised—access, cleansing, fellowship—will be delivered, since Jesus himself ensures it by his unending, divinely sworn priesthood.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

by so much also hath Jesus become the surety of a better covenant.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

by so much also hath Jesus become the surety of a better covenant.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

By so much is it a better agreement which we have through Jesus.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

by so much of a better covenant hath Jesus become surety,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

By so much is Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

by so much Jesus became surety of a better covenant.

Context

With the oath established, verse 22 states the covenantal result: Jesus guarantees a better covenant. The following verses contrast the instability of the old priesthood with the permanence of Christ’s. Verses 23–24 point out that many priests were needed because of death, but Jesus holds an unchangeable priesthood. Verse 25 draws the practical implication: he can save completely, since his intercession never ceases.

v.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);

v.22This passage

v.23And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing:

Cross references

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

  • Hebrews 9:15

    And for this cause he is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

  • Proverbs 20:16

    Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge that is surety for foreigners.

  • Hebrews 13:20

    Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus,

  • Daniel 9:27

    And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one that maketh desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.

  • Proverbs 6:1

    My son, if thou art become surety for thy neighbor, If thou hast stricken thy hands for a stranger;

  • Mark 14:24

    And he said unto them, This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.

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