Hebrews 7:23
Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.
Now there have been many other priests
This phrase highlights the historical context of the Levitical priesthood, which was established under the Mosaic Law. The Greek word for "priests" here is "ἱερεῖς" (hiereis), referring to those who served in the temple, offering sacrifices and mediating between God and the people. Historically, the Levitical priesthood was characterized by a succession of priests, as no single priest could serve indefinitely due to mortality. This system required many priests over generations, emphasizing the temporary and imperfect nature of the old covenant.

since death prevented them from continuing in office
The phrase underscores the human limitation of the Levitical priests. The Greek word for "death" is "θάνατος" (thanatos), which signifies the inevitable end of life that all humans face. This mortality prevented any priest from serving permanently, highlighting the transient nature of their ministry. In a broader theological context, this limitation points to the need for a priesthood that transcends death, which is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. His eternal priesthood, as described later in Hebrews, contrasts with the temporary service of the Levitical priests, offering a perfect and everlasting mediation between God and humanity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Levitical Priests
The verse refers to the priests from the tribe of Levi who served in the temple. Their priesthood was temporary due to their mortality.

2. Melchizedek
While not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of Hebrews 7 contrasts the Levitical priesthood with the eternal priesthood of Melchizedek, which is a type of Christ's priesthood.

3. Jesus Christ
The ultimate High Priest, whose priesthood is eternal and unchangeable, unlike the Levitical priests.

4. The Temple
The place where the Levitical priests served, representing the old covenant system of worship.

5. The New Covenant
The context of Hebrews 7 is the transition from the old covenant, represented by the Levitical priesthood, to the new covenant, established by Jesus.
Teaching Points
The Limitation of Human Priests
The mortality of the Levitical priests highlights the limitations of the old covenant. Their inability to continue in office due to death points to the need for a greater, eternal priesthood.

The Superiority of Christ's Priesthood
Jesus' eternal priesthood offers believers a permanent and perfect mediator. Unlike the Levitical priests, Jesus' priesthood is unending, providing continuous intercession for us.

The Assurance of Salvation
Because Jesus lives forever and intercedes for us, believers can have full assurance of salvation. His eternal priesthood guarantees that our relationship with God is secure.

The Call to Faithfulness
Understanding the eternal nature of Christ's priesthood should inspire believers to remain faithful, knowing that our High Priest is always advocating on our behalf.

The Transition from Old to New Covenant
The change from the Levitical priesthood to Christ's priesthood signifies the fulfillment of the old covenant and the establishment of the new covenant, inviting believers to embrace the new life in Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the mortality of the Levitical priests highlight the need for an eternal High Priest?

2. In what ways does Jesus' eternal priesthood provide assurance and comfort to believers today?

3. How does the transition from the old covenant to the new covenant affect our understanding of worship and relationship with God?

4. What are some practical ways we can respond to the truth that Jesus is our eternal High Priest?

5. How can the concept of Jesus' continuous intercession influence our prayer life and spiritual growth?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Hebrews 7:24-25
These verses continue the thought by contrasting the temporary nature of the Levitical priesthood with the eternal priesthood of Jesus, who "lives forever" and "always lives to intercede."

Psalm 110:4
This verse prophesies about the eternal priesthood of the Messiah, "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek," which is fulfilled in Jesus.

Exodus 29:9
Describes the ordination of Aaron and his sons, establishing the Levitical priesthood, which was hereditary and temporary.

1 Timothy 2:5
Highlights Jesus as the one mediator between God and humanity, emphasizing His unique and eternal priesthood.
Further Proofs of the Superiority of Christ's Priesthood Involved in the Symbol of MelchizedekC. New Hebrews 7:11-25
A Better HopeJ. Vaughan, M. A.Hebrews 7:14-24
A New PriesthoodT. C. Edwards, D. D.Hebrews 7:14-24
A Priest After the Order of MelchisedecR. Roberts.Hebrews 7:14-24
Christ -- a Priest and KingJ. Cumming.Hebrews 7:14-24
Christ a Priest After the Similitude of MelchisedecHomilistHebrews 7:14-24
Death Terminating the Pursuits of LifeA. S. Patterson.Hebrews 7:14-24
Heaven -- an Endless LifeG. B. Cheerer.Hebrews 7:14-24
Incentive to Christians to Promote the Spiritual Welfare of the JewsDr. J. P. Smith.Hebrews 7:14-24
The Banished RestoredA. S. Patterson.Hebrews 7:14-24
The Benefits of an Unchanging PriesthoodT. C. Edwards, D. D.Hebrews 7:14-24
The Better HopeB. Sunderland, D. D.Hebrews 7:14-24
The Better HopeHomilistHebrews 7:14-24
The Ever-Living PriestC. H. Spurgeon.Hebrews 7:14-24
The Heavenly Priesthood of Our LordW. Milligan, D. D.Hebrews 7:14-24
The Impotence of the LawW. G. T. Shedd, D. D.Hebrews 7:14-24
The Incomparable PriesthoodHomilistHebrews 7:14-24
The Indestructibility of ChristS. A. Title.Hebrews 7:14-24
The Inefficiency of LawW. Burkitt, M. A.Hebrews 7:14-24
The Law Cannot CleanseC. H. Spurgeon.Hebrews 7:14-24
The Law Cannot HealHarless.Hebrews 7:14-24
The Old and New DispensationsJohn Burner.Hebrews 7:14-24
The Power of an Endless LifeH Bushnell, D. D.Hebrews 7:14-24
The Power of an Endless LifeJ. Vaughan, M. A.Hebrews 7:14-24
The Power of Christ's Endless LifeJ. Ker, D. D.Hebrews 7:14-24
The Priest Ordained by the Oath of GodC. H. Spurgeon.Hebrews 7:14-24
The Resemblance of Melchisedec to ChristR. W. Hamilton, D. D.Hebrews 7:14-24
The Surety of a Better TestamentW. Burkitt, M. A.Hebrews 7:14-24
Two Kinds of HopeR. S. Barrett.Hebrews 7:14-24
The Immortal Priesthood of Christ Enhanced by Weighty ConsiderationsJ.S. Bright Hebrews 7:23-25
People
Aaron, Hebrews, Levi, Melchisedec, Melchizedek
Places
Jerusalem, Salem
Topics
TRUE, Appointed, Continuance, Continue, Continuing, Death, Existed, Former, Greater, Hindered, Indeed, Numbers, Office, Prevented, Prevents, Priests, Reason, Remaining, Suffered, Truly
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Hebrews 7:23

     2069   Christ, pre-eminence

Hebrews 7:17-28

     5431   oaths, divine

Hebrews 7:23-24

     7414   priesthood, NT

Hebrews 7:23-25

     6606   access to God
     6669   grace, and salvation

Hebrews 7:23-28

     1680   types

Library
Salvation to the Uttermost
Well, then it is salvation I desire to preach to you. We have, in our text, two or three things. In the first place, we are told who they are who will be saved, "them that come into God by Jesus Christ;" in the second place we are told the extent of the Saviour's ability to save, "He is able to save to the uttermost;" and in the third place, we have the reason given why he can save, "seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." I. First, we are told THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TO BE SAVED. And the
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

The Man Christ Jesus
"Consider how great this man was" in the combination of his offices. He was duly appointed both priest and king: king of righteousness and peace, and at the same time priest of the Most High God. It may be said of him that he sat as a priest upon his throne. He exercised the double office to the great blessedness of those who were with him; for his one act towards Abraham would seem to be typical of his whole life; he blessed him in the name of the Most High God. "Consider how great this man was"
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 31: 1885

Priest and victim
"He offered up himself."--Hebrews 7:27. I DO NOT KNOW when I have ever felt a more decided conflict of emotions in my own heart than I do just now. Happy is the man who has such a message as that in my text to deliver to his fellow-men; but burdened is the man who feels that the message is far too great for his lips, or, indeed, for any human tongue to convey. To be allowed to announce to men that our Lord Jesus Christ "offered up himself" on their behalf is, indeed, an errand which angels might
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 46: 1900

Twenty-Fifth Day for More Conversions
WHAT TO PRAY.--For more Conversions "He is able to save completely, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession."--HEB. vii. 25. "We will give ourselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word.... And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied exceedingly."--ACTS vi. 4, 7. Christ's power to save, and save completely, depends on His unceasing intercession. The apostles withdrawing themselves from other work to give themselves continually to prayer was followed
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Guiltless and Without Sin.
"For such an High Priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens."--Heb. vii. 26. Throughout the ages the Church has confessed that Christ took upon Himself real human nature from the virgin Mary, not as it was before the fall, but such as it had become, by and after the fall. This is clearly stated in Heb. ii. 14, 17: "Forasmuch as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself took part of the same . . . . Wherefore in
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Power of an Endless Life
Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. --Hebrews 7:16. The message and hope of immortality are nowhere more distinctly conveyed to our minds than in connection with that resurrection morn when Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene. The anniversary of that day will ever be the festival of the human soul. Even those who do not clearly understand or fully accept its meaning in history and religion,--even children and ignorant folk and doubters and
Henry Van Dyke—What Peace Means

Christ Our High Priest.
"Now, if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are said belongeth to another tribe, from which no man hath given attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord hath sprung
Frank G. Allen—Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel

The Great High Priest
T. P. Heb. vii. 24, 25 Sweet to trace His toiling footsteps Here amidst the desert sands; Bear in memory all His sorrow, Thorn-clad head and pierced hands! Learn His love beside the manger, Learn it on the stormy wave, By the well, and in the garden-- Learn it by the Cross and grave. Yet not only in remembrance Do we watch that stream of love-- Still a mighty torrent flowing From the throne of God above. Still a treasure all uncounted-- Still a story half untold-- Unexhausted and unfathomed, Fresh
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

The Doctrine
OF THE LAW AND GRACE UNFOLDED; OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING THE LAW AND GRACE; THE NATURE OF THE ONE, AND THE NATURE OF THE OTHER; SHOWING WHAT THEY ARE, AS THEY ARE THE TWO COVENANTS; AND LIKEWISE, WHO THEY BE, AND WHAT THEIR CONDITIONS ARE, THAT BE UNDER EITHER OF THESE TWO COVENANTS: Wherein, for the better understanding of the reader, there are several questions answered touching the law and grace, very easy to be read, and as easy to be understood, by those that are the sons of wisdom, the children
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Christ a Complete Saviour:
OR, THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST, AND WHO ARE PRIVILEGED IN IT. BY JOHN BUNYAN Advertisement by the Editor. However strange it may appear, it is a solemn fact, that the heart of man, unless prepared by a sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, rejects Christ as a complete Saviour. The pride of human nature will not suffer it to fall, as helpless and utterly undone, into the arms of Divine mercy. Man prefers a partial Saviour; one who had done so much, that, with the sinner's aid, the work might be
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Early Years of Jesus
Matt. i. 1 to ii. 23; Luke i. 5 to ii. 52; iii. 23-38 58. It is surprising that within a century of the life of the apostles, Christian imagination could have so completely mistaken the real greatness of Jesus as to let its thirst for wonder fill his early years with scenes in which his conduct is as unlovely as it is shocking. That he who in manhood was "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners" (Heb. vii. 26), could in youth, in a fit of ill-temper, strike a companion with death and then
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth

Waiting on God
Psalms 62:5.--My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him. The solemn question comes to us, "Is the God I have, a God that is to me above all circumstances, nearer to me than any circumstance can be?" Brother, have you learned to live your life having God so really with you every moment, that in circumstances the most difficult He is always more present and nearer than anything around you? All our knowledge of God's Word will help us very little, unless that comes to be the question
Andrew Murray—The Master's Indwelling

Christian Standing and Christian Progress
PHILIPPIANS iii. 12-16 Christian exultation--Christian confidence--"Not in the flesh"--"In Jesus Christ"--The prize in view--No finality in the progress--"Not already perfect"--The recompense of reward--What the prize will be In a certain sense we have completed our study of the first section of the third chapter of the Epistle. But the treatment has been so extremely imperfect, in view of the importance of that section, that a few further remarks must be made. Let us ponder one weighty verse,
Handley C. G. Moule—Philippian Studies

Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant
"I give thee for a covenant of the people."--ISA. xlii. 6, xlix. 8. "The Lord shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in."--MAL. iii. 1. "Jesus was made Surety of a better covenant."--HEB. vii. 22. "The Mediator of the Better Covenant, established upon better promises . . . The Mediator of the New Covenant. . . Ye are come to Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant."--HEB. viii. 6, ix. 15, xii. 24. WE have here four titles given to our Lord Jesus in
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

Twenty-Sixth Lesson. I have Prayed for Thee;'
I have prayed for thee;' Or, Christ the Intercessor. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.'--Luke xxii. 32. I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you.'--John xvi. 26. He ever liveth to make intercession.'--Heb. vii. 25. ALL growth in the spiritual life is connected with the clearer insight into what Jesus is to us. The more I realize that Christ must be all to me and in me, that all in Christ is indeed for me, the more I learn to live the real life of faith, which,
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

The Intercession of Christ
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us! T he Redemption of the soul is precious. Fools make mock of sin (Proverbs 14:9) . But they will not think lightly of it, who duly consider the majesty, authority, and goodness of Him, against whom it is committed; and who are taught, by what God actually has done, what sin rendered necessary to be done, before a sinner could have a well-grounded
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, in Reference to Growing in Grace.
I come now to speak a little to the other part of sanctification, which concerneth the change of our nature and frame, and is called vivification, or quickening of the new man of grace; which is called the new man, as having all its several members and parts, as well as the old man; and called new, because posterior to the other; and after regeneration is upon the growing hand, this duty of growing in grace, as it is called, 2 Pet. iii. &c. is variously expressed and held forth to us in Scripture;
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Epistle to the Hebrews
THE Epistle to the Hebrews is in many ways one of the most perplexing books of the New Testament. It stands quite alone and is peculiarly independent, yet it has affinities with almost every strain of thought to be found elsewhere in primitive Christianity, and points of historical attachment for it have been sought all round the compass. [60] Thus there are those who think its true line of descent is to be traced to James, Cephas, and John -- the three apostles who seemed to be pillars in the mother
James Denney—The Death of Christ

The Right Understanding of the Law
Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Before I come to the commandments, I shall answer questions, and lay down rules respecting the moral law. What is the difference between the moral laud and the gospel? (1) The law requires that we worship God as our Creator; the gospel, that we worship him in and through Christ. God in Christ is propitious; out of him we may see God's power, justice, and holiness: in him we see his mercy displayed. (2) The moral law requires obedience, but gives
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2. On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. 3. And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail. 4. And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. 5. And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Meditations of the True Manner of Practising Piety on the Sabbath-Day.
Almighty God will have himself worshipped, not only in a private manner by private persons and families, but also in a more public sort, of all the godly joined together in a visible church; that by this means he may be known not only to be the God and Lord of every Singular person, but also of the creatures of the whole universal world. Question--But why do not we Christians under the New, keep the Sabbath on the same seventh day on which it was kept under the Old Testament? I answer--Because our
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

An Admonition to them who Come to visit the Sick.
They who come to visit ihe sick, must have a special care not to stand dumb and staring in the sick person's face to disquiet him, nor yet to speak idly and ask unprofitable questions, as most do. If they see, therefore, that the sick party is like to die, let them not dissemble, but lovingly and discreetly admonish him of his weakness, and to prepare for eternal life. One hour well spent, when a man's life is almost out-spent, may gain a man the assurance of eternal life. Soothe him not with the
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

He is Lovely in his Relations.
First, He is a lovely Redeemer, Isa. 61:1. He came to open the prison-doors to them that are bound. Needs must this Redeemer be a lovely one, if we consider the depth of misery from which he redeemed us, even "from the wrath to come," 1 Thess. 1:10. Consider the numbers redeemed, and the means of their redemption. Rev. 5:9, "And they sang a new song, saying, 'You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood, out of every
John Flavel—Christ Altogether Lovely

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