Hebrews 7:23

Murdock Translation

And they as priests were numerous, because they were mortal, and were not permitted to continue:

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office.

King James Version (1611)
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:

English Standard Version
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;

New Century Version
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,

Legacy Standard Bible
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.

Contemporary English Version
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.

Darby Translation
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.

Geneva Bible (1587)
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:

Good News Translation
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,

Literal Translation
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];

American Standard Version
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;

Hebrew Names Version
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.

Etheridge Translation
There were (moreover) many [fn] priests, because they were dying, and were not permitted to remain.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
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:

World English Bible
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.

Weymouth's New Testament
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;

Update Bible Version
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:

New English Translation
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.

New Living Translation
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.

New Revised Standard
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;

Douay-Rheims Bible
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;

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
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;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
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.

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.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Every other priest and trail guide along the old trail has died.

Contextual Overview

¹¹ If, therefore, perfection had been by means of the priesthood of the Levites, in which the law was enjoined on the people; why was another priest required, who should stand up after the likeness of Melchisedec? For it should have said, He shall be after the likeness of Aaron. ¹² But as there is a change in the priesthood, so also is there a change in the law. ¹³ For he of whom these things were spoken, was born of another tribe, of which no one ever ministered at the altar. ¹⁴ For it is manifest that our Lord arose from Judah, from a tribe of which Moses said nothing concerning a priesthood. ¹⁵ And moreover this is further manifest, from his saying that another priest will stand up, after the likeness of Melchisedec, ¹⁶ who was not according to the law of corporeal injunctions, but according to the energy of an indissoluble life. ¹⁷ For he testified of him: Thou art a priest for ever, after the likeness of Melchisedec. ¹⁸ And the change which was made in the first statute, was on account of its impotency, and because their was no utility in it. ¹⁹ For the law perfected nothing; but in the place of it there came in a hope, which is better than it, and by which we draw near to God. ²⁰ And he confirmed it to us by 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

Matthew 25:46
And these will go into everlasting torment, and the righteous into everlasting life.

Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, when he was told of things not seen, feared; and he made himself an ark, for the life of his household; whereby he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

2 Peter 2:9
the Lord knoweth how to rescue from afflictions those who fear him; and he will reserve the wicked for the day of judgment to be tormented,

2 Peter 3:6
6 [And], by means of these [waters], the world which then was, [being submerged] again perished in the waters [fn] {And}

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.