Devine Scripture

Hebrews 7:23

What does Hebrews 7:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 7:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 7:23 means

Under the old order, there were many priests because each one died and had to be replaced. This continual turnover shows a built-in weakness; no single priest could carry the office perpetually. The system depended on a succession of frail men, each serving for a time, then yielding to death. The author is not faulting them personally but noting the limitation of a mortal priesthood. The contrast prepares us to see the surpassing strength of a priest whose life does not end, and whose office does not pass to another.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And it is true that there have been a great number of those priests, because death does not let them go on for ever;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and those indeed are many who have become priests, because by death they are hindered from remaining;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the others indeed were made many priests, because by reason of death they were not suffered to continue:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And they have been many priests, on account of being hindered from continuing by death;

Context

Verse 23 emphasizes the multiplicity of priests in the Levitical system, driven by mortality. This observation sets up the decisive contrast in verse 24: Jesus, because he remains forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. The flow is showing that permanence is not a detail but the heart of what makes his priesthood superior—and the basis for the complete salvation described in verse 25.

v.22by so much also hath Jesus become the surety of a better covenant.

v.23This passage

v.24but he, because he abideth for ever, hath his priesthood unchangeable.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Chronicles 6:3

    And the children of Amram: Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. And the sons of Aaron: Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

  • Nehemiah 12:10

    And Jeshua begat Joiakim, and Joiakim begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada,

  • Hebrews 7:8

    And here men that die receive tithes; but there one, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

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