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Douay-Rheims Bible

Hebrews 7:23

And the others indeed were made many priests, because by reason of death they were not suffered to continue:

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Jesus Continued;   Succession;   Thompson Chain Reference - Better;   Dispensation, New;   New;   The Topic Concordance - Holiness;   Jesus Christ;   Sacrifice;   Salvation;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Christ, the High Priest;   High Priest, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Melchizedek;   Priest;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Type, typology;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Priest, Christ as;   Psalms, Theology of;   Worship;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Covenant;   Offices of Christ;   Preaching;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Hebrews, the Epistle to the;   High Priest;   Joshua;   Priest;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Hebrews;   Mediator;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Priest;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Hebrews Epistle to the;   Old Testament;   Pre-Eminence ;   Priest;   Priest (2);   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Priest;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Paul;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Melchizedek;   Priesthood, the;   Law of Moses, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Hebrews, Epistle to the;   Priest;   Priesthood in the New Testament;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for November 6;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office.
King James Version (1611)
And they truely were many Priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death.
King James Version
And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
English Standard Version
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,
New American Standard Bible
The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing;
New Century Version
When one of the other priests died, he could not continue being a priest. So there were many priests.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing,
Legacy Standard Bible
And the former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing,
Berean Standard Bible
Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.
Contemporary English Version
There have been a lot of other priests, and all of them have died.
Complete Jewish Bible
Moreover, the present cohanim are many in number, because they are prevented by death from continuing in office.
Darby Translation
And they have been many priests, on account of being hindered from continuing by death;
Easy-to-Read Version
Also, when one of those other priests died, he could not continue being a priest. So there were many of those priests.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And among them many were made Priests, because they were not suffered to endure, by the reason of death.
George Lamsa Translation
And these priests were many, because they were mortal, and they were not permitted to continue because of death:
Good News Translation
There is another difference: there were many of those other priests, because they died and could not continue their work.
Lexham English Bible
And indeed many have become priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,
Literal Translation
And they truly are many priests, being prevented from continuing because of death;
Amplified Bible
The [former successive line of] priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were each prevented by death from continuing [perpetually in office];
American Standard Version
And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing:
Bible in Basic English
And it is true that there have been a great number of those priests, because death does not let them go on for ever;
Hebrew Names Version
Many, indeed, have been made Kohanim, because they are hindered from continuing by death.
International Standard Version
There have been many priests, since they have been prevented by death from continuing in office.
Etheridge Translation
There were (moreover) many [fn] priests, because they were dying, and were not permitted to remain.
Murdock Translation
And they as priests were numerous, because they were mortal, and were not permitted to continue:
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And among them many were made priestes, because they were forbidden by death to endure.
English Revised Version
And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing:
World English Bible
Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And they truly were many priests, because they were hindered by death from continuing.
Weymouth's New Testament
And they have been appointed priests many in number, because death prevents their continuance in office:
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And the othere weren maad manye preestis, `therfor for thei weren forbedun bi deth to dwelle stille;
Update Bible Version
And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because by death they are hindered from continuing:
Webster's Bible Translation
And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
New English Translation
And the others who became priests were numerous, because death prevented them from continuing in office,
New King James Version
Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.
New Living Translation
There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office.
New Life Bible
There had to be many religious leaders during the time of the Old Way of Worship. They died and others had to keep on in their work.
New Revised Standard
Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office;
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, they, indeed, in greater numbers, have been made priests, because, by reason of death, are they hindered from remaining at hand;
Revised Standard Version
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office;
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And amonge them many were made prestes because they were not suffred to endure by the reason of deeth.
Young's Literal Translation
and those indeed are many who have become priests, because by death they are hindered from remaining;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And amonge them many were made prestes, because they were not suffred to endure by the reason of death.
Mace New Testament (1729)
besides, the priesthood then devolv'd to many, death depriving them of a lasting possession.
THE MESSAGE
Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced. But Jesus' priesthood is permanent. He's there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Every other priest and trail guide along the old trail has died.

Contextual Overview

11 If then perfection was by the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchisedech: and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being translated, it is necessary that a translation also be made of the law, 13 For he of whom these things are spoken is of another tribe, of which no one attended on the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprung out of Juda: in which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. 15 And it is yet far more evident: if according to the similitude of Melchisedech there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not according to the law of a law of a carnal commandment, but according to the power of an indissoluble life. 17 For he testifieth: Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech. 18 There is indeed a setting aside of the former commandment, because of the weakness and unprofitableness thereof: 19 For the law brought nothing to perfection: but a bringing in of a better hope, by which we draw nigh to God. 20 And inasmuch as it is not without an oath (for the others indeed were made priests without an oath:

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

were: Hebrews 7:8, 1 Chronicles 6:3-14, Nehemiah 12:10, Nehemiah 12:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 48:21 - Behold Exodus 29:9 - consecrate Leviticus 6:22 - is anointed Numbers 20:26 - General Joshua 1:2 - Moses Song of Solomon 2:3 - my beloved Zechariah 1:5 - General 1 Corinthians 15:17 - ye are Hebrews 7:3 - a priest

Cross-References

Genesis 7:1
And the Lord said to him: Go in, thou and all thy house, into the ark: for thee I have seen just before me in this generation.
Genesis 7:8
And of beasts clean and unclean, and of fowls, and of every thing that moveth upon the earth,
Genesis 7:9
Two and two went in to Noe into the ark, male and female, as the Lord had commanded Noe.
Genesis 7:10
And after the seven days were passed, the waters of the flood overflowed the earth.
Genesis 7:14
They and every beast according to its kind, and all the cattle in their kind, and every thing that moveth upon the earth, according to its kind, and every fowl according to its kind, all birds, and all that fly,
Genesis 7:15
Went in to Noe into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein was the breath of life.
Genesis 7:17
And the flood was forty days upon the earth: and the waters increased, and lifted up the ark on high from the earth.
Genesis 7:18
For they overflowed exceedingly: and filled all on the face of the earth: and the ark was carried upon the waters.
Genesis 7:20
The water was fifteen cubits higher than the mountains which it covered.
Genesis 7:21
And all flesh was destroyed that moved upon the earth, both of fowl and of cattle, and of beasts, and of all creeping things that creep upon the earth: and all men.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And they truly were many priests,.... There were many common priests at a time; and though there was but one high priest at a time, yet there were many of them in a line of succession from Aaron down to the apostle's time. The Jews say u, that under the first temple eighteen high priests ministered, and under the second temple more than three hundred: this shows the imperfection of this priesthood, since it was in many hands; no one continuing and being sufficient to execute it; but Christ is the one and only high priest; there is no other, nor is there any need of any other: the reason why there were so many under the law was,

because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death; death has a power to forbid a long continuance in this world, and no man does continue long here: death puts a stop to men's works, and to the exercise of their several callings; no office, even the most sacred, exempts from it; no, not the office of high priests: these were but men, sinful men, and so died; and their discontinuance by reason of death shows the imperfection of their priesthood: there was another reason besides this which the apostle gives, why the high priests were so many, and especially about this time; and that is, the office was bought for money, and men that would give most were put into it: hence there were frequent changes; the Jews themselves say, they changed every twelve months w.

u T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 9. 1. Piske Tosephot Zebachim, Art. 72. w T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 8. 2.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And they truly - Under the Jewish dispensation. The object of this verse and the following is, to state one more reason of the excellence of the priesthood of Christ. It is, that owing to the frailty of human nature, and the shortness of life, the office of priest there was continually changing. But here there was no such change. Christ, being exalted to the heavens to live forever there, has now an unchangeable priesthood, and everything in regard to his office is permanent.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 23. And they truly were many priests — Under the Mosaic law it was necessary there should be a succession of priests, because, being mortal, they were not suffered to continue always by reason of death.


 
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