What does Hebrews 7:23 mean?

And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: Hebrews 7:23

Explanation

Hebrews 7:23 pertains to a comparison between the Levitical priests under the Old Covenant and Jesus Christ under the New Covenant. In this verse, the author of Hebrews notes that the Levitical priesthood consisted of many individuals over time because they were mortal and died, preventing them from continuing in office indefinitely. This created a continual need for new priests to replace those who had passed away. The verse implicitly contrasts the many priests of the Old Covenant with the singular, everlasting priesthood of Jesus Christ, who serves eternally because He overcame death and lives forever.

Historical Context

The Book of Hebrews was written to a group of early Christians who were originally Jewish and might have been considering returning to Judaism or struggling to understand how Christ fulfilled and surpassed the Old Covenant. During the time this letter was written, the concept of priesthood was rooted in the Levitical order established in the Torah, where descendants of Levi served as priests in the temple, offering sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. These Levitical priests served in a system where death was a barrier to a perpetual priesthood.

Theological Insights

Various theological perspectives may perceive this verse differently:

• Traditional Christian theology often views this verse as underlining the superiority of Christ’s eternal priesthood in contrast to the temporary priesthood of the Levites, emphasizing Jesus’ role as the ultimate high priest.
• Covenant theology might interpret this passage as a demonstration of the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant, with Christ as the mediator who makes the former priesthood obsolete.
• Dispensational theology could see this as a part of the unfolding of God’s plan of salvation history, where different dispensations involve different systems of mediation between God and humans.

Practical Applications

This verse can be applied in daily life in recognizing the permanence and sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice and priesthood. Unlike the repeated and temporary sacrifices made by Levitical priests, Jesus’ one-time sacrifice needs no repetition. This knowledge can bring comfort and assurance to believers that their salvation is secured eternally through Christ.

Cross-References

• Hebrews 7:24: “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.”
• Hebrews 7:27: “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.”
• Hebrews 9:24-25: “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often…”

Language Study

In depth analysis of key Greek words in Hebrews 7:23:

• “Many” (πλείονες, pleiones): denotes numerical multiplicity; various priests due to succession.
• “Priests” (ἱερεῖς, hiereis): refers to the Levitical priests of the Old Testament.
• “Were not suffered” (κωλύονται, kolýontai): translates to “are prevented” or “are hindered.”
• “To continue” (παραμένειν, paramenein): means to abide or remain permanently.
• “By reason of death” (διὰ τὸν θάνατον, dia ton thanaton): indicating the cause of the cessation, death itself.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In various other ancient cultures and religions, there are concepts of priestly succession due to mortality. For example, in ancient Egypt, the role of the high priest was hereditary, often passing from father to son, acknowledging that human death necessitated new holders of religious office. In contrast, Hebrews presents a unique idea of a priest who overcomes death, contrasting with these cyclical patterns of mortality in priesthood.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse does not directly relate to scientific perspectives, understanding human mortality and the concept of death is within the realm of biology and medicine. The historical and religious record acknowledging human mortality aligns with the scientific understanding that all humans have a finite lifespan, which necessitated various cultural systems of succession, including in religious roles.

Commentaries

Various Bible commentaries offer insights into Hebrews 7:23:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary notes that the multiplicity of priests was evidence of mortality and imperfection in the Levitical priesthood.
• The Pulpit Commentary emphasizes the contrast between the unending priesthood of Christ and the discontinuous line of Levitical priests.
• John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible suggests that this multiplicity of priests was part of the weakness and unprofitableness of the Levitical priesthood, which Christ’s priesthood has remedied.