God’s Word Translation
Hebrews 7:19
19Moses’ Teachings couldn’t accomplish everything that God required. But we have something else that gives us greater confidence and allows us to approach God.
Hebrews 7:19 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
- New International Version (NIV)(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
- English Standard Version (ESV)(for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
- New King James Version (NKJV)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.
Context of Hebrews 7:19
17The Scriptures say the following about him: “You are a priest forever, in the way Melchizedek was a priest.” 18The former requirements are rejected because they are weak and useless. Moses’ Teachings couldn’t accomplish everything that God required. But we have something else that gives us greater confidence and allows us to approach God. 20None of this happened without an oath. The men from the tribe of Levi may have become priests without an oath, 21but Jesus became a priest when God took an oath. God said about him, “The Lord has taken an oath and will not change his mind. You are a priest forever.”
Read all of Hebrews 7Hebrews 7:19 word by word
οὐδὲν γὰρ ἐτελείωσεν ὁ νόμος, ἐπεισαγωγὴ δὲ κρείττονος ἐλπίδος δι᾽ ἧς ἐγγίζομεν τῷ θεῷ.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- the lawὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the lawνόμοςnomos · lawG3551
- madeτελειόωteleioō · to perfectG5048
- nothingοὐδείςoudeis · noneG3762
- butδέde · thenG1161
- the bringing inἐπεισαγωγήepeisagōgē · introductionG1898
- of aἐλπίςelpis · hopeG1680
- betterκρείττωνkreittōn · strongerG2909
- byδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
- the whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- we draw nighἐγγίζωeggizō · to come nearG1448
- unto Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
Cross-references for Hebrews 7:19
- Hebrews 7:11The people established the Levitical priesthood based on instructions they received. If the work of the Levitical priests had been perfect, we wouldn’t need to speak about another kind of priest. However, we speak about another kind of priest, a priest like Melchizedek, not a Levitical priest like Aaron.
- Hebrews 9:9The first part of the tent is an example for the present time. The gifts and sacrifices that were brought there could not give the worshiper a clear conscience.
- Acts 13:39However, everyone who believes in Jesus receives God’s approval.
- Romans 3:20Not one person can have God’s approval by any effort to follow the laws in the Scriptures. These laws show what sin is.
- Romans 8:3It is impossible to do what God’s standards demand because of the weakness our human nature has. But God sent his Son to have a human nature as sinners have and to pay for sin. That way God condemned sin in our corrupt nature.
- Galatians 2:16Yet, we know that people don’t receive God’s approval by any effort to follow the laws in the Scriptures, but only by believing in Jesus Christ. So we also believed in Jesus Christ in order to receive God’s approval by faith in Christ and not by our own efforts. People won’t receive God’s approval by their own efforts.
- Galatians 3:24Before Christ came, Moses’ laws served as our guardian. Christ came so that we could receive God’s approval by faith.
- Hebrews 6:18God did this so that we would be encouraged. God cannot lie when he takes an oath or makes a promise. These two things can never be changed. Those of us who have taken refuge in him hold on to the confidence we have been given.
- Hebrews 8:6Jesus has been given a priestly work that is superior to the Levitical priests’ work. He also brings a better promise from God that is based on better guarantees.
- Hebrews 11:40God planned to give us something very special so that we would gain eternal life with them.
- John 1:17Laws were given through Moses, but kindness and truth came into existence through Jesus Christ.
- Colossians 1:27God wanted his people throughout the world to know the glorious riches of this mystery—which is Christ living in you, giving you the hope of glory.
- 1 Timothy 1:1From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus our confidence.
- Hebrews 4:16So we can go confidently to the throne of God’s kindness to receive mercy and find kindness, which will help us at the right time.
- Hebrews 10:19Brothers and sisters, because of the blood of Jesus we can now confidently go into the holy place.
- Psalms 73:28Being united with God is my highest good. I have made the Almighty Lord my refuge so that I may report everything that he has done.
Commentaries on Hebrews 7:19
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19For 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; (note). It neither pardoned sin, nor purified the heart, nor gave strength to obey the moral precepts. , nothing, is put here for , no person. But the bringing in of a better hope - The original is very emphatic, , the superintroduction, or the after introduction; and this seems to be put in opposition…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19For 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…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. 19the law made nothing perfect: The law could not completely remove sin or guarantee eternal salvation. God achieved these things through the superior high priesthood of Jesus. Because of this, believers have confidence in a better hope and a restored relationship with God. They can draw near to God without fear of condemnation.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1919. For, &c.--justifying his calling the law weak and unprofitable (He 7:18). The law could not bring men to: true justification or sanctification before God, which is the "perfection" that we all need in order to be accepted of Him, and which we have in Christ. nothing--not merely "no one," but "nothing." The law brought nothing to its perfected end; everything in it was introductory to its antitype in the Christian economy, which realizes the perfection…Read the comment
Topics related to Hebrews 7:19
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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