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New Living Translation

Hebrews 7:19

For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - God;   Gospel;   Melchizedek;   Priest;   Succession;   Scofield Reference Index - Law of Moses;   Thompson Chain Reference - Better;   Dispensation, New;   Draw near to God;   Fellowship-Estrangement;   God;   Law;   Nearness to God;   New;   Superiority of the New Dispensation;   The Topic Concordance - Jesus Christ;   Law;   Surety;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Hope;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Melchizedek;   Priest;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Oath;   Type, typology;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Law;   Priest, Christ as;   Psalms, Theology of;   Sanctification;   Worship;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Covenant;   Offices of Christ;   Preaching;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Hebrews, the Epistle to the;   Joshua;   Zechariah, the Book of;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Hebrews;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Hebrews, Epistle to;   Perfection;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Grace;   Hope;   Hope ;   Hopefulness ;   Justification;   Perseverance;   Righteous, Righteousness;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Melchisedec, Melchizedek ;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Mount sinai;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Paul;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Decay;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Law of Moses, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Hebrews, Epistle to the;   Hope;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for November 6;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
(for the law perfected nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
King James Version (1611)
For the Law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did: by the which wee draw nigh vnto God.
King James Version
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
English Standard Version
(for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
New American Standard Bible
(for the Law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, there is the introduction of a better hope, through which we come near to God.
New Century Version
The law of Moses could not make anything perfect. But now a better hope has been given to us, and with this hope we can come near to God.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
(for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
Legacy Standard Bible
(for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
Berean Standard Bible
(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
Contemporary English Version
because the Law cannot make anything perfect. At the same time, we are given a much better hope, and it can bring us close to God.
Complete Jewish Bible
(for the Torah did not bring anything to the goal); and, on the other hand, a hope of something better is introduced, through which we are drawing near to God.
Darby Translation
(for the law perfected nothing,) and the introduction of a better hope by which we draw nigh to God.
Easy-to-Read Version
The Law of Moses could not make anything perfect. But now a better hope has been given to us. And with that hope we can come near to God.
Geneva Bible (1587)
For the Law made nothing perfite, but the bringing in of a better hope made perfite, whereby we drawe neere vnto God.
George Lamsa Translation
For the law made nothing perfect, but there has come in its place a better hope, by which we draw near to God.
Good News Translation
For the Law of Moses could not make anything perfect. And now a better hope has been provided through which we come near to God.
Lexham English Bible
(for the law made nothing perfect), but on the other hand there is the introduction of a better hope through which we draw near to God.
Literal Translation
For the Law perfected nothing, but a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
Amplified Bible
(for the Law never made anything perfect); while on the other hand a better hope is introduced through which we now continually draw near to God.
American Standard Version
(for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw nigh unto God.
Bible in Basic English
(Because the law made nothing complete), and in its place there is a better hope, through which we come near to God.
Hebrew Names Version
(for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
International Standard Version
(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we approach God.Acts 13:39; Romans 3:20-21,28; 5:2; 8:3; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:18; 3:12; Hebrews 4:16; 6:18; 8:6; 9:9; 10:19;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
For the law perfected nothing: but instead of it a hope has entered which is more excellent, (and) by which we are brought nigh unto Aloha.
Murdock Translation
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.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For the lawe made nothyng perfect, but [was] the bryngyng in of a better hope, by the whiche we drawe nygh vnto God.
English Revised Version
(for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw nigh unto God.
World English Bible
(for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did, by which we draw nigh to God.
Weymouth's New Testament
for the Law brought no perfect blessing--but on the other hand we have the bringing in of a new and better hope by means of which we draw near to God.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For whi the lawe brouyt no thing to perfeccioun, but there is a bringing in of a betere hope, bi which we neiyen to God.
Update Bible Version
(for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
Webster's Bible Translation
For the law made nothing perfect, but the introduction of a better hope [did]; by which we draw nigh to God.
New English Translation
for the law made nothing perfect. On the other hand a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
New King James Version
for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
New Life Bible
For the Law of Moses could not make men right with God. Now there is a better hope through which we can come near to God.
New Revised Standard
(for the law made nothing perfect); there is, on the other hand, the introduction of a better hope, through which we approach God.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For, the law, perfected, nothing; but there is the superinducing of a better hope, - through which we draw near unto God.
Douay-Rheims Bible
For the law brought nothing to perfection: but a bringing in of a better hope, by which we draw nigh to God.
Revised Standard Version
(for the law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
For the lawe made nothynge parfecte: but was an introduccion of a better hope by which hope we drawe nye vnto god.
Young's Literal Translation
(for nothing did the law perfect) and the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw nigh to God.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For the lawe made nothinge perfecte, but was an introduccion of a better hope, by ye which hope we drawe nye vnto God.
Mace New Testament (1729)
for the law made no man perfect, but this was effected by introducing a better hope, which brings us nearer to the divine presence.
Simplified Cowboy Version
The Law never made anything perfect. But now we are confident this new trail leads us straight to God.

Contextual Overview

11 So if the priesthood of Levi, on which the law was based, could have achieved the perfection God intended, why did God need to establish a different priesthood, with a priest in the order of Melchizedek instead of the order of Levi and Aaron? 12 And if the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed to permit it. 13 For the priest we are talking about belongs to a different tribe, whose members have never served at the altar as priests. 14 What I mean is, our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, and Moses never mentioned priests coming from that tribe. 15 This change has been made very clear since a different priest, who is like Melchizedek, has appeared. 16 Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. 17 And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied, "You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek." 18 Yes, the old requirement about the priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless. 19 For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20 This new system was established with a solemn oath. Aaron's descendants became priests without such an oath,

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the law: Hebrews 7:11, Hebrews 9:9, Acts 13:39, Romans 3:20, Romans 3:21, Romans 8:3, Galatians 2:16

made: ץהום [Strong's G3762], ופוכוישףום, completed nothing; it was the introduction, but not the completion.

the bringing in: or, it was the bringing in, Galatians 3:24

a better: Hebrews 6:18, Hebrews 8:6, Hebrews 11:40, John 1:17, Romans 8:3, Colossians 1:27, 1 Timothy 1:1

we: Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 10:19-22, Psalms 73:28, John 14:6, Romans 5:2, Ephesians 2:13-18, Ephesians 3:12

Reciprocal: Leviticus 16:26 - wash Numbers 19:21 - General Romans 4:14 - For if Ephesians 2:18 - through Colossians 1:5 - the hope 2 Thessalonians 2:16 - good Hebrews 7:18 - the weakness Hebrews 7:25 - come Hebrews 8:13 - he hath Hebrews 10:9 - He taketh Hebrews 10:14 - he Hebrews 10:22 - draw Hebrews 12:2 - finisher James 4:8 - Draw nigh to God

Cross-References

Genesis 7:2
Take with you seven pairs—male and female—of each animal I have approved for eating and for sacrifice, and take one pair of each of the others.
Genesis 7:3
Also take seven pairs of every kind of bird. There must be a male and a female in each pair to ensure that all life will survive on the earth after the flood.
Genesis 7:6
Noah was 600 years old when the flood covered the earth.
Genesis 7:9
They entered the boat in pairs, male and female, just as God had commanded Noah.
Job 12:15
If he holds back the rain, the earth becomes a desert. If he releases the waters, they flood the earth.
Jeremiah 3:23
Our worship of idols on the hills and our religious orgies on the mountains are a delusion. Only in the Lord our God will Israel ever find salvation.
2 Peter 3:6
Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For the law made nothing perfect,.... Or no man; neither any of the priests that offered sacrifices, nor any of the people for whom they were offered: it could not perfectly make atonement for sin; nor make men perfectly holy or righteous; it could neither justify nor sanctify; neither bring in a perfect righteousness, nor bring men to perfect holiness, and so to eternal life and salvation:

but the bringing in of a better hope did; not the grace of hope; that is not something newly brought in, the saints under the Old Testament had it; nor is it better now than then, though it has greater advantages and more encouragement to the exercise of it: nor heaven and eternal glory, the thing hoped for; the saints under the legal dispensation hoped for this, as well as believers under the present dispensation; nor is what the latter hope for better than that the former did: nor is God the author and object of hope intended; the phrase of bringing in will not suit with him; besides, he is distinguished from it, in the next clause: to understand it of the Gospel, the means of hope, and of encouraging it, is no ill sense; that standing in direct contradistinction to the law: but the priesthood of Christ, of which the apostle is treating in the context, is generally understood, which is the ground of hope; for all promises respecting eternal life are confirmed by it, and all blessings connected with it procured; and it is better than the Aaronic priesthood, under the law; and a better ground of hope than the sacrifices of that law were: Christ himself may be designed, who is often called hope, being the object, ground, and foundation of it; and is a better one than Moses, or his law, Aaron, or his priesthood; and it is by him men draw nigh to God; and the bringing in of him or his priesthood shows that Christ's priesthood was not upon the foot of the law, and that he existed as a priest, before brought in, and as a better hope, though not so fully revealed; and it may have respect to his coming in the flesh, being sent, or brought in by his father: now the bringing in of him and his priesthood did make something perfect; it brought to perfection all the types, promises, and prophecies of the Old Testament, the whole law, moral and ceremonial; it brought in perfect atonement, reconciliation, pardon, righteousness, and redemption; it perfected the persons of all God's elect; and perfectly provided for their holiness, peace, comfort, and eternal happiness: some read the words "but it", the law, "was the bringing in of a better hope": the law led unto, made way for, and introduced. Christ, the better hope; and so the Arabic version, "seeing it should be an entrance to a more noble hope"; the Syriac version renders it, "but in the room of it entered a hope more excellent than that"; than the law:

by the which we draw nigh unto God; the Father, as the Father of Christ, and of his people in him, and as the Father of mercies, and the God of all grace and this drawing nigh to him is to be understood not locally but spiritually; it includes the whole worship of God, but chiefly designs prayer: and ought to be done with a true heart, in opposition to hypocrisy; and in faith, in opposition to doubting; and with reverence and humility, in opposition to rashness; and with freedom, boldness, and thankfulness: and it is through Christ and his priesthood that souls have encouragement to draw nigh to God; for Christ has paid all their debts, satisfied law and justice, procured the pardon of their sins, atonement and reconciliation for them; he is the way of their access to God; he gives them audience and acceptance; he presents their prayers, and intercedes for them himself.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For the law made nothing perfect - The Levitical, ceremonial law. It did not produce a perfect state; it did not do what was desirable to be done for a sinner; see the note on Hebrews 7:11. That Law, as such, did not reconcile man to God; it did not make an atonement: it did not put away guilt; in one word, “it did not restore things to the condition in which they were before the Law was broken and man became a sinner.” If man were saved under that system - as many undoubtedly were - it was not in virtue of any intrinsic efficacy which it possessed, but in virtue of that great sacrifice which it typified.

But the bringing in of a better hope did - Margin, “But it was.” The correct rendering is, probably, “but there is the bringing in of a better hope, by which we have access to God.” The Law could not effect this. It left the conscience guilty, and sin unexpiated. But there is now the introduction of a better system by which we can approach a reconciled God. The “better hope” here refers to the more sure and certain expectation of heaven introduced by the gospel. There is a better foundation for hope; a more certain way of obtaining the divine favor than the Law could furnish.

By the which - By which better hope; that is, by means of the ground of hope furnished by the gospel, to wit, that God is now reconciled. and that we can approach him with the assurance that he is ready to save us.

We draw nigh unto God - We have access to him; notes, Romans 5:1-2.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 19. For the law made nothing perfect — It completed nothing; it was only the outline of a great plan, the shadow of a glorious substance; see on Hebrews 7:11. It neither pardoned sin, nor purified the heart, nor gave strength to obey the moral precepts. ουδεν, nothing, is put here for ουδενα, no person.

But the bringing in of a better hope — The original is very emphatic, επεισαγωγη, the superintroduction, or the after introduction; and this seems to be put in opposition to the προαγουσα εντολη, the preceding commandment, or former Levitical law, of Hebrews 7:18. This went before to prepare the way of the Lord; to show the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the strict justice of God. The better hope, which referred not to earthly but to spiritual good, not to temporal but eternal felicity, founded on the priesthood and atonement of Christ, was afterwards introduced for the purpose of doing what the law could not do, and giving privileges and advantages which the law would not afford. One of these privileges immediately follows:-

By the which we draw nigh unto God. — This is a sacerdotal phrase: the high priest alone could approach to the Divine presence in the holy of holies; but not without the blood of the sacrifice, and that only once in the year. But through Christ, as our high priest, all believers in him have an entrance to the holiest by his blood; and through him perform acceptable service to God. The better hope means, in this place, Jesus Christ, who is the author and object of the hope of eternal life, which all his genuine followers possess. He is called our hope, 1 Timothy 1:1; Colossians 1:27.


 
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