Hebrews 7:28
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For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
For--reason for the difference stated in Heb 7:27, between His one sacrifice and their oft repeated sacrifices, namely, because of His entire freedom from the sinful infirmity to which they are subject. He needed not, as they, to offer FOR HIS OWN SIN; and being now exempt from death and "perfected for evermore," He needs not to REPEAT His sacrifice. the word--"the word" confirmed by "the oath." which--which oath was after the law, namely, in Psa 110:4, abrogating the preceding law-priesthood. the Son--contrasted with "men." consecrated--Greek, "made perfect" once for all, as in Heb 2:10; Heb 5:9; see on Heb 2:10; Heb 5:9. Opposed to "having infirmity." Consecrated as a perfected priest by His perfected sacrifice, and consequent anointing and exaltation to the right hand of the Father. Next: Hebrews Chapter 8
Open source ↗The doctrine of the priestly office of Christ is so excellent in itself, and so essential a part of the Christian faith, that the apostle loves to dwell upon it. Nothing made the Jews so fond of the Levitical dispensation as the high esteem they had of their priesthood, and it was doubtless a sacred and most excellent institution; it was a very severe threatening denounced against the Jews (Hos 3:4), that the children of Israel should abide many days without a prince or priest, and without a sacrifice, and with an ephod, and without teraphim. Now the apostle assures them that by receiving the Lord Jesus they would have a much better high priest, a priesthood of a higher order, and consequently a better dispensation or covenant, a better law and testament; this he shows in this chapter, where, I. We have a more particular account of Melchisedec (Heb 7:1-3). II. The superiority of his priesthood to that of Aaron (Heb 7:4-10). III. An accommodation of all to Christ, to show the superior excellency of his person, office, and covenant (Heb 7:11 to the end).
Open source ↗7:28 This verse echoes 5:1-3 and sums up the entire discussion of Christ’s appointment as High Priest (5:1-10; 7:1-28). • Limited by human weakness refers primarily to human sinfulness and mortality (5:2-3; 7:18, 23-27). • God appointed his Son with an oath: See Ps 110:4, the key Old Testament passage behind Heb 7:11-28. • perfect . . . forever: The words High Priest are not in the Greek text but are implied in the context. • In Hebrews, the term perfect means complete or mature (see 2:10; 5:9; 7:11; 9:9-11); the Son, through his sacrificial death and resurrection, has become completely qualified to serve as our eternal High Priest, and his priesthood lasts forever.
Open source ↗Cross-references
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In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting for God, for whom and through whom all things exist, to make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.
but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’”
The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
But Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’
But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast.
When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.
But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood.
If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a young bull without blemish as a sin offering for the sin he has committed.
Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.