Hebrews 8:3

For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is necessary that this high priest also have somewhat to offer.

The ambiguity of this verse is attested by monumental mistranslation of it by an author whose sincerity and scholarship are above question, namely, J. B. Phillips, in his "Letters to Young Churches," who translates thus, "It follows, therefore, that in these holy places this man has something that he is offering."[3">Hebrews 8:3).">[3] This cannot be correct, because our author rejects any idea of a continual offering on the part of our Lord who offered his blood "once for all" (Hebrews 7:27). Bruce noted that the tense and mood of the Greek verb "to offer" in this clause also exclude the idea of a continual offering.[4] He also calls attention to a footnote in the New English Bible (1961) with a suggested rendition of the clause that would make the situation completely unambiguous: "this one too must have had something to offer."[5]

For notes on "gifts and sacrifices" see under Hebrews 5:1.

[3">Hebrews 8:3).">[3] Phillips' New Testament (Hebrews 8:3).

[4] F. F. Bruce, The Epistle to the Hebrews (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1967), p. 164.

[5] Ibid., p. 164.