Darby Bible
Hebrews 7:11
11If indeed then perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, for the people had their law given to them in connexion with it, what need [was there] still that a different priest should arise according to the order of Melchisedec, and not be named after the order of Aaron?
Hebrews 7:11 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
- New International Version (NIV)If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?
- English Standard Version (ESV)Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?
- New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?
Context of Hebrews 7:11
9and, so to speak, through Abraham, Levi also, who received tithes, has been made to pay tithes. 10For he was yet in the loins of his father when Melchisedec met him. If indeed then perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, for the people had their law given to them in connexion with it, what need [was there] still that a different priest should arise according to the order of Melchisedec, and not be named after the order of Aaron? 12For, the priesthood being changed, there takes place of necessity a change of law also. 13For he, of whom these things are said, belongs to a different tribe, of which no one has [ever] been attached to the service of the altar.
Read all of Hebrews 7Hebrews 7:11 word by word
Εἰ μὲν οὖν τελείωσις διὰ τῆς Λευιτικῆς ἱερωσύνης ἦν, ὁ λαὸς γὰρ ἐπ᾽ αὐτῆς νενομοθέτηται, τίς ἔτι χρεία κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισέδεκ ἕτερον ἀνίστασθαι ἱερέα καὶ οὐ κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Ἀαρὼν λέγεσθαι;Read the interlinear
- wereεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- priesthoodἱερωσύνηhierōsunē · priesthoodG2420
- peopleλαόςlaos · a peopleG2992
- needχρείαchreia · needG5532
- stillἔτιeti · stillG2089
- differentἕτεροςheteros · otherG2087
- priestἱερεύςhiereus · priestG2409
- ariseἀνίστημιanistēmi · to ariseG450
- accordingκατάkata · according toG2596
- orderτάξιςtaxis · orderG5010
- AaronἈαρώνAarōn · AaronG2
Cross-references for Hebrews 7:11
- Hebrews 7:18For there is a setting aside of the commandment going before for its weakness and unprofitableness,
- Hebrews 8:7For if that first was faultless, place had not been sought for a second.
- Hebrews 10:1For the law, having a shadow of the coming good things, not the image itself of the things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually yearly, perfect those who approach.
- Galatians 2:21I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness [is] by law, then Christ has died for nothing.
- Galatians 4:3So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the principles of the world;
- Colossians 2:10and ye are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and authority,
- Hebrews 7:26For such a high priest became us, holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and become higher than the heavens:
- Hebrews 7:15And it is yet more abundantly evident, since a different priest arises according to the similitude of Melchisedec,
- Hebrews 5:6Even as also in another [place] he says, Thou [art] a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedec.
- Hebrews 6:20where Jesus is entered as forerunner for us, become for ever a high priest according to the order of Melchisedec.
Commentaries on Hebrews 7:11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood - The word , as we have before seen, signifies the completing or finishing of any thing, so as to leave nothing imperfect, and nothing wanting. Applied here to the Levitical priesthood, it signifies the accomplishment of that for which a priesthood is established, viz.: giving the Deity an acceptable service, enlightening and instructing the people, pardoning all offenses, purging the conscience…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood - As the Jews supposed. They were accustomed to regard the system as perfect. It was an appointment of God, and they were tenacious of the opinion that it was to be permanent, and that it needed no change. But Paul says that this could not be. Even from their own Scriptures it was apparent that a priest was to arise of another order, and of a more permanent character, and this he says was full…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-25Verses 11-25 The priesthood and law by which perfection could not come, are done away; a Priest is risen, and a dispensation now set up, by which true believers may be made perfect. That there is such a change is plain. The law which made the Levitical priesthood, showed that the priests were frail, dying creatures, not able to save their own lives, much less could they save the souls of those who came to them. But the High Priest of our profession holds…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11In the Letter to the Hebrews, perfection means achieving a desired goal rather than being flawless (see study note on 5:9). The priesthood under the old covenant could not fulfill all of God's intentions for a covenant relationship with his people. This is why God needed to create a different priesthood.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1111. perfection--absolute: "the bringing of man to his highest state, namely, that of salvation and sanctification." under it--The reading in the oldest manuscripts is, "Upon it (that is, on the ground of it as the basis, the priest having to administer the law, Mal 2:7: it being presupposed) the people (He 9:19, 'all the people') have received the law (the Greek is perfect, not aorist tense; implying the people were still observing the law)." what further…Read the comment
Topics related to Hebrews 7:11
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Hebrews 7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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