Hebrews 7:16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.

◄ Hebrews 7:16 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.

English Standard Version
who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.

New American Standard Bible
who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.

King James Bible
Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
who did not become a priest based on a legal command concerning physical descent but based on the power of an indestructible life.

International Standard Version
who was appointed to be a priest, not on the basis of a genealogical registry, but rather on the power of an indestructible life.

American Standard Version
who hath been made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life:

Douay-Rheims Bible
Who is made not according to the law of a carnal commandment, but according to the power of an indissoluble life:

Darby Bible Translation
who has been constituted not according to law of fleshly commandment, but according to power of indissoluble life.

Young's Literal Translation
who came not according to the law of a fleshly command, but according to the power of an endless life,

Cross References

Romans 7:14
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Hebrews 7:15
And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there rises another priest,

Hebrews 9:10
Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

Hebrews 9:14
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

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Based Basis Bodily Carnal Commandment Constituted Descent End Endless Flesh Fleshly Hold Law Obedience Office Physical Power Priest Regulation Requirement Temporary Virtue

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

7:11-25 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 his office by the power of endless life in himself; not only to keep himself alive, but to give spiritual and eternal life to all who rely upon his sacrifice and intercession. The better covenant, of which Jesus was the Surety, is not here contrasted with the covenant of works, by which every transgressor is shut up under the curse. It is distinguished from the Sinai covenant with Israel, and the legal dispensation under which the church so long remained. The better covenant brought the church and every believer into clearer light, more perfect liberty, and more abundant privileges. In the order of Aaron there was a multitude of priests, of high priests one after another; but in the priesthood of Christ there is only one and the same. This is the believer's safety and happiness, that this everlasting High Priest is able to save to the uttermost, in all times, in all cases. Surely then it becomes us to desire a spirituality and holiness, as much beyond those of the Old Testament believers, as our advantages exceed theirs.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

16. carnal … endless—mutually contrasted. As "form" and "power" are opposed, 2Ti 3:5; so here "the law" and "power," compare Ro 8:3, "The law was weak through the flesh"; and Heb 7:18, "weakness." "The law" is here not the law in general, but the statute as to the priesthood. "Carnal," as being only outward and temporary, is contrasted with "endless," or, as Greek, "indissoluble." Commandments is contrasted with "life." The law can give a commandment, but it cannot give life (Heb 7:19). But our High Priest's inherent "power," now in heaven, has in Him "life for ever"; Heb 9:14, "through the eternal Spirit"; Heb 7:25, "able … ever liveth" (Joh 5:26). It is in the power of His resurrection life, not of His earthly life, that Christ officiates as a Priest.