Devine Scripture

Hebrews 7:28

What does Hebrews 7:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 7:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 7:28 means

The law installed high priests who shared human weakness; they were sinners and subject to death. In contrast, the word of the oath—which came after the law—appoints a Son who is perfected forever. “Perfected” means fully qualified and permanently established in his priestly role. The contrast is complete: mortal, flawed priests by law; the eternal, flawless Son by oath. Therefore, Jesus’ priesthood is final, secure, and entirely sufficient for our salvation and ongoing access to God. No other mediator is needed, and no successor will come, because the Son’s priesthood endures without end.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For the law appointeth men high priests, having infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, appointeth a Son, perfected for evermore.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For the law appointeth men high priests, having infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, appointeth a Son, perfected for evermore.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The law makes high priests of men who are feeble; but the word of the oath, which was made after the law, gives that position to a Son, in whom all good is for ever complete.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for the law doth appoint men chief priests, having infirmity, but the word of the oath that <FI>is<Fi> after the law <FI>appointeth<Fi> the Son--to the age having been perfected.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For the law maketh men priests, who have infirmity: but the word of the oath (which was since the law) the Son who is perfected for evermore.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For the law constitutes men high priests, having infirmity; but the word of the swearing of the oath which [is] after the law, a Son perfected for ever.

Context

This concluding verse gathers the chapter’s themes: Melchizedek’s superiority, the inadequacy of the Levitical system, the necessity of a new order, the divine oath, and the eternal fitness of the Son. It prepares the reader for the next chapter’s focus on the better covenant and its better ministry. With priestly superiority settled, Hebrews will now describe the superior sanctuary and covenant benefits that flow from Jesus’ unchangeable, oath-established priesthood.

v.27who needeth not daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people: for this he did once for all, when he offered up himself.

v.28This passage

Cross references

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

  • Hebrews 2:10

    For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

  • Luke 13:32

    And he said unto them, Go and say to that fox, Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures to-day and to-morrow, and the third day I am perfected.

  • Hebrews 5:8

    though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered;

  • Hebrews 3:6

    but Christ as a son, over his house; whose house are we, if we hold fast our boldness and the glorying of our hope firm unto the end.

  • Psalms 110:4

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

  • John 19:30

    When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.

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