Bible Commentary

A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 2. a minister ] From this word leitourgos (derived from “people,” and , “work”) comes our “liturgy.” of the sanctuary ] This (and not “of holy things,” or “of the saints”) is the only tenable rendering of the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 8:2”

Now of the things which we have spoken [this is] the sum: We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 1. of the things which we have spoken this is the sum ] Rather, “the chief point in what we are … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 8:1”

For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is consecrated forevermore. 28. men ] i.e. ordinary “human beings.” the oath, which was since the law ] Namely, in Psa 110:4. consecrated ] Rather, “ who has been perfected.” … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 7:28”

Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 27. daily ] A difficulty is suggested by this word, because the High Priest did not offer sacrifices daily, but only once a … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 7:27”

For such a high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 26. For such a high priest became us ] The “for” clinches the whole argument with a moral consideration. There was a spiritual fitness in this annulment of the imperfect Law and Priesthood, and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 7:26”

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 25. to save them to the uttermost ] i.e. “to the consummate end.” All the Apostles teach that Christ is “able to keep us from falling and to present … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 7:25”

But this [man,] because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 24. but this man ] Rather, “ but He ” hath an unchangeable priesthood ] Rather, “hath his priesthood unchangeable” ( sempiternum, Vulg.) or perhaps “untransmissible;” “a priesthood that doth not pass to another,” as it is rendered in the margin of our Revised … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 7:24”

And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 23. many priests ] Lit., “And they truly have been constituted priests many in number.” they were not suffered to continue by reason of death ] The vacancies caused in their number by the ravages of death required … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 7:23”

By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. 22. of a better testament ] A clearer rendering would be “By so much better was the covenant of which Jesus has been made surety.” The words which might be taken as the keynote of the whole Epistle should undoubtedly be rendered “of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 7:22”

(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord swore and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek: ) 21. those priests were made without an oath ] Lit., “these men have been made priests without an … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 7:21”