Hebrews 7:11-19,Hebrews 7:28

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 7:19

For the law made nothing perfect ,.... Or no man; neither any of the priests that offered sacrifices, nor any of the people for whom they were offered: it could not perfectly make atonement for sin; nor make men perfectly holy or righteous; it could neither justify nor sanctify; neither bring in a perfect righteousness, nor bring men to perfect holiness, and so to eternal life and salvation: but the bringing in of a better hope did ; not the grace of hope; that is not something newly... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:11

If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood - The word τελειωσις , as we have before seen, signifies the completing or finishing of any thing, so as to leave nothing imperfect, and nothing wanting. Applied here to the Levitical priesthood, it signifies the accomplishment of that for which a priesthood is established, viz.: giving the Deity an acceptable service, enlightening and instructing the people, pardoning all offenses, purging the conscience from guilt, purifying the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:12

The priesthood being changed - That is, The order of Aaron being now abrogated, to make way for that which had preceded it, the order of Melchisedec. There is made of necessity a change also of the law - The very essence of the Levitical law consisting in its sacrificial offerings; and as these could not confer perfection, could not reconcile God to man, purify the unholy heart, nor open the kingdom of heaven to the souls of men, consequently it must be abolished, according to the order... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:13

For he of whom these things are spoken - That is, Jesus the Messiah, spoken of in Psalm 110:4 , who came, not from the tribe of Levi, but from the tribe of Judah, of which tribe no priest ever ministered at a Jewish altar, nor could minister according to the law. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:14

For it is evident - As the apostle speaks here with so much confidence, it follows that our Lord's descent from the tribe of Judah was incontrovertible. The genealogical tables, both in Matthew and Luke, establish this point; and whatever difficulties we may find in them now, there were none apprehended in those days, else the enemies of the Gospel would have urged these as a chief and unanswerable argument against Christ and his Gospel. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:15

And it is yet far more evident - Και περισσοτερον ετι καταδηλον εστιν· And besides, it is more abundantly strikingly manifest. It is very difficult to translate these words, but the apostle's meaning is plain, viz., that God designed the Levitical priesthood to be changed, because of the oath in Psalm 110:1-7 , where, addressing the Messiah, he says: Thou art a Priest for ever after the order, or ὁμοιοτητα , similitude, of Melchisedec, who was not only a priest, but also a king. None... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:16

Who is made - Appointed to this high office by God himself, not succeeding one that was disabled or dead, according to that law or ordinance directed to weak and perishing men, who could not continue by reason of death. This is probably all that the apostle intends by the words carnal commandment, εντολης σαρκικης· for carnal does not always mean sinful or corrupt, but feeble, frail, or what may be said of or concerning man in his present dying condition. But after the power of an... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:17

For he testifieth - That is, either the Scripture, in the place so often quoted, or God by that Scripture. Thou art a priest for ever - This is the proof that he was not appointed according to the carnal commandment, but according to the power of an endless life, because he is a priest for ever; i.e. one that never dies, and is never disabled from performing the important functions of his office; for if he be a priest for ever, he ever lives. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:18

For there is verily a disannulling - There is a total abrogation, προαγουσης εντολης , of the former law, relative to the Levitical priesthood. See Hebrews 7:19 . For the weakness - It had no energy; it communicated none; it had no Spirit to minister; it required perfect obedience, but furnished no assistance to those who were under it. And unprofitableness - No man was benefited by the mere observance of its precepts: it pardoned no sin, changed no heart, reformed no life; it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:19

For the law made nothing perfect - It completed nothing; it was only the outline of a great plan, the shadow of a glorious substance; see on Hebrews 7:11 ; (note). It neither pardoned sin, nor purified the heart, nor gave strength to obey the moral precepts. Ουδεν , nothing, is put here for ουδενα , no person. But the bringing in of a better hope - The original is very emphatic, επεισαγωγη , the superintroduction, or the after introduction; and this seems to be put in opposition... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 7:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:19

Group of Brands