Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, July 26th, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
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Christian Standard Bible ®
Hebrews 7:23
Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office.
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Clarke's Bible Notes • Barnes' Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- AmericanEncyclopedias:
- CondensedDevotionals:
- EveryParallel Translations
King James Version (1611)
And they truely were many Priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death.
And they truely were many Priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death.
King James Version
And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
English Standard Version
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,
New American Standard Bible
The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing;
The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing;
New Century Version
When one of the other priests died, he could not continue being a priest. So there were many priests.
When one of the other priests died, he could not continue being a priest. So there were many priests.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing,
The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing,
Legacy Standard Bible
And the former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing,
And the former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing,
Berean Standard Bible
Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.
Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.
Contemporary English Version
There have been a lot of other priests, and all of them have died.
There have been a lot of other priests, and all of them have died.
Complete Jewish Bible
Moreover, the present cohanim are many in number, because they are prevented by death from continuing in office.
Moreover, the present cohanim are many in number, because they are prevented by death from continuing in office.
Darby Translation
And they have been many priests, on account of being hindered from continuing by death;
And they have been many priests, on account of being hindered from continuing by death;
Easy-to-Read Version
Also, when one of those other priests died, he could not continue being a priest. So there were many of those priests.
Also, when one of those other priests died, he could not continue being a priest. So there were many of those priests.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And among them many were made Priests, because they were not suffered to endure, by the reason of death.
And among them many were made Priests, because they were not suffered to endure, by the reason of death.
George Lamsa Translation
And these priests were many, because they were mortal, and they were not permitted to continue because of death:
And these priests were many, because they were mortal, and they were not permitted to continue because of death:
Good News Translation
There is another difference: there were many of those other priests, because they died and could not continue their work.
There is another difference: there were many of those other priests, because they died and could not continue their work.
Lexham English Bible
And indeed many have become priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,
And indeed many have become priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,
Literal Translation
And they truly are many priests, being prevented from continuing because of death;
And they truly are many priests, being prevented from continuing because of death;
Amplified Bible
The [former successive line of] priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were each prevented by death from continuing [perpetually in office];
The [former successive line of] priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were each prevented by death from continuing [perpetually in office];
American Standard Version
And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing:
And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing:
Bible in Basic English
And it is true that there have been a great number of those priests, because death does not let them go on for ever;
And it is true that there have been a great number of those priests, because death does not let them go on for ever;
Hebrew Names Version
Many, indeed, have been made Kohanim, because they are hindered from continuing by death.
Many, indeed, have been made Kohanim, because they are hindered from continuing by death.
International Standard Version
There have been many priests, since they have been prevented by death from continuing in office.
There have been many priests, since they have been prevented by death from continuing in office.
Etheridge Translation
There were (moreover) many [fn] priests, because they were dying, and were not permitted to remain.
There were (moreover) many [fn] priests, because they were dying, and were not permitted to remain.
Murdock Translation
And they as priests were numerous, because they were mortal, and were not permitted to continue:
And they as priests were numerous, because they were mortal, and were not permitted to continue:
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And among them many were made priestes, because they were forbidden by death to endure.
And among them many were made priestes, because they were forbidden by death to endure.
English Revised Version
And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing:
And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing:
World English Bible
Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death.
Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And they truly were many priests, because they were hindered by death from continuing.
And they truly were many priests, because they were hindered by death from continuing.
Weymouth's New Testament
And they have been appointed priests many in number, because death prevents their continuance in office:
And they have been appointed priests many in number, because death prevents their continuance in office:
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And the othere weren maad manye preestis, `therfor for thei weren forbedun bi deth to dwelle stille;
And the othere weren maad manye preestis, `therfor for thei weren forbedun bi deth to dwelle stille;
Update Bible Version
And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because by death they are hindered from continuing:
And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because by death they are hindered from continuing:
Webster's Bible Translation
And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
New English Translation
And the others who became priests were numerous, because death prevented them from continuing in office,
And the others who became priests were numerous, because death prevented them from continuing in office,
New King James Version
Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.
Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.
New Living Translation
There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office.
There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office.
New Life Bible
There had to be many religious leaders during the time of the Old Way of Worship. They died and others had to keep on in their work.
There had to be many religious leaders during the time of the Old Way of Worship. They died and others had to keep on in their work.
New Revised Standard
Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office;
Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office;
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, they, indeed, in greater numbers, have been made priests, because, by reason of death, are they hindered from remaining at hand;
And, they, indeed, in greater numbers, have been made priests, because, by reason of death, are they hindered from remaining at hand;
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the others indeed were made many priests, because by reason of death they were not suffered to continue:
And the others indeed were made many priests, because by reason of death they were not suffered to continue:
Revised Standard Version
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office;
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office;
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And amonge them many were made prestes because they were not suffred to endure by the reason of deeth.
And amonge them many were made prestes because they were not suffred to endure by the reason of deeth.
Young's Literal Translation
and those indeed are many who have become priests, because by death they are hindered from remaining;
and those indeed are many who have become priests, because by death they are hindered from remaining;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And amonge them many were made prestes, because they were not suffred to endure by the reason of death.
And amonge them many were made prestes, because they were not suffred to endure by the reason of death.
Mace New Testament (1729)
besides, the priesthood then devolv'd to many, death depriving them of a lasting possession.
besides, the priesthood then devolv'd to many, death depriving them of a lasting possession.
THE MESSAGE
Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced. But Jesus' priesthood is permanent. He's there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them.
Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced. But Jesus' priesthood is permanent. He's there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Every other priest and trail guide along the old trail has died.
Every other priest and trail guide along the old trail has died.
Contextual Overview
11Now if perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the law), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be according to the order of Melchizedek and not according to the order of Aaron? 12For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well. 13For the one these things are spoken about belonged to a different tribe. No one from it has served at the altar. 14Now it is evident that our Lord came from Judah, and Moses said nothing about that tribe concerning priests. 15And this becomes clearer if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16who did not become a priest based on a legal regulation about physical descent but based on the power of an indestructible life. 17For it has been testified: 18So the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable 19(for the law perfected nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 20None of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
were: Hebrews 7:8, 1 Chronicles 6:3-14, Nehemiah 12:10, Nehemiah 12:11
Reciprocal: Genesis 48:21 - Behold Exodus 29:9 - consecrate Leviticus 6:22 - is anointed Numbers 20:26 - General Joshua 1:2 - Moses Song of Solomon 2:3 - my beloved Zechariah 1:5 - General 1 Corinthians 15:17 - ye are Hebrews 7:3 - a priest
Cross-References
Genesis 7:1
Then the Lord said to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you alone are righteous before me in this generation.
Then the Lord said to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you alone are righteous before me in this generation.
Genesis 7:8
From the clean animals, unclean animals, birds, and every creature that crawls on the ground,
From the clean animals, unclean animals, birds, and every creature that crawls on the ground,
Genesis 7:9
two of each, male and female, came to Noah and entered the ark, just as God had commanded him.
two of each, male and female, came to Noah and entered the ark, just as God had commanded him.
Genesis 7:10
Seven days later the floodwaters came on the earth.
Seven days later the floodwaters came on the earth.
Genesis 7:14
They entered it with all the wildlife according to their kinds, all livestock according to their kinds, all the creatures that crawl on the earth according to their kinds, every flying creature—all the birds and every winged creature—according to their kinds.
They entered it with all the wildlife according to their kinds, all livestock according to their kinds, all the creatures that crawl on the earth according to their kinds, every flying creature—all the birds and every winged creature—according to their kinds.
Genesis 7:15
Two of every creature that has the breath of life in it came to Noah and entered the ark.
Two of every creature that has the breath of life in it came to Noah and entered the ark.
Genesis 7:17
The flood continued for forty days on the earth; the water increased and lifted up the ark so that it rose above the earth.
The flood continued for forty days on the earth; the water increased and lifted up the ark so that it rose above the earth.
Genesis 7:18
The water surged and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water.
The water surged and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water.
Genesis 7:20
The mountains were covered as the water surged above them more than twenty feet.
The mountains were covered as the water surged above them more than twenty feet.
Genesis 7:21
Every creature perished—those that crawl on the earth, birds, livestock, wildlife, and those that swarm on the earth, as well as all mankind.
Every creature perished—those that crawl on the earth, birds, livestock, wildlife, and those that swarm on the earth, as well as all mankind.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And they truly were many priests,.... There were many common priests at a time; and though there was but one high priest at a time, yet there were many of them in a line of succession from Aaron down to the apostle's time. The Jews say u, that under the first temple eighteen high priests ministered, and under the second temple more than three hundred: this shows the imperfection of this priesthood, since it was in many hands; no one continuing and being sufficient to execute it; but Christ is the one and only high priest; there is no other, nor is there any need of any other: the reason why there were so many under the law was,
because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death; death has a power to forbid a long continuance in this world, and no man does continue long here: death puts a stop to men's works, and to the exercise of their several callings; no office, even the most sacred, exempts from it; no, not the office of high priests: these were but men, sinful men, and so died; and their discontinuance by reason of death shows the imperfection of their priesthood: there was another reason besides this which the apostle gives, why the high priests were so many, and especially about this time; and that is, the office was bought for money, and men that would give most were put into it: hence there were frequent changes; the Jews themselves say, they changed every twelve months w.
u T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 9. 1. Piske Tosephot Zebachim, Art. 72. w T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 8. 2.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
And they truly - Under the Jewish dispensation. The object of this verse and the following is, to state one more reason of the excellence of the priesthood of Christ. It is, that owing to the frailty of human nature, and the shortness of life, the office of priest there was continually changing. But here there was no such change. Christ, being exalted to the heavens to live forever there, has now an unchangeable priesthood, and everything in regard to his office is permanent.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 23. And they truly were many priests — Under the Mosaic law it was necessary there should be a succession of priests, because, being mortal, they were not suffered to continue always by reason of death.
