Hebrews 7:21
<< Hebrews 7:21 >>
New International Version (©1984)
but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever.'"

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
(for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, "THE LORD HAS SWORN AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND, 'YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER '");

International Standard Version (©2008)
but Jesus became a priest with an oath when God said to him, "The Lord has taken an oath7 and will not change his mind. You are a priest forever."

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
but Jesus became a priest when God took an oath. God said about him, "The Lord has taken an oath and will not change his mind. You are a priest forever."

King James Bible
(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)

American King James Version
(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said to him, The Lord swore and will not repent, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)

American Standard Version
(for they indeed have been made priests without an oath; but he with an oath by him that saith of him, The Lord sware and will not repent himself, Thou art a priest for ever);

Bible in Basic English
(For those were made priests without an oath, but this one was made a priest with an oath by him who says of him, The Lord gave his oath, which he will not take back, that you are a priest for ever);

Douay-Rheims Bible
But this with an oath, by him that said unto him: The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever.)

Darby Bible Translation
(for they are become priests without the swearing of an oath, but he with the swearing of an oath, by him who said, as to him, The Lord has sworn, and will not repent of it, Thou art priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedec;)

English Revised Version
(for they indeed have been made priests without an oath; but he with an oath by him that saith of him, The Lord sware and will not repent himself, Thou art a priest for ever);

Webster's Bible Translation
(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath, by him that said to him, The Lord swore, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)

Weymouth New Testament
for these men hold office without any oath having been taken, but He holds it attested by an oath from Him who said to Him, "The Lord has sworn and will not recall His words, Thou art a Priest for ever" --

World English Bible
(for they indeed have been made priests without an oath), but he with an oath by him that says of him, "The Lord swore and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.'"

Young's Literal Translation
and he with an oath through Him who is saying unto him, 'The Lord sware, and will not repent, Thou art a priest -- to the age, according to the order of Melchisedek;')

Geneva Study Bible

(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)

People's New Testament

7:21 For those priests. The Aaronic priests.

Were made without an oath. Their priesthood did not rest upon an oath. Hence, it was not eternal; Christ's did, for God (see Ps 110:4) gave it the sanctity of an oath. The solemn words are significant: The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Wesley's Notes

7:21 The Lord sware and will not repent - Hence also it appears, that his is an unchangeable priesthood.

King James Translators' Notes

without...: or, without swearing of an oath

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

21. Translate in the Greek order, "For they indeed (the existing legal priests) without the (solemn) promise on oath (so the Greek [Tittmann]) are made priests."

by him-God.

unto him-the Lord, the Son of God (Ps 110:1).

not repent-never change His purpose.

after the order of Melchisedec-omitted in some oldest manuscripts, contained in others.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

7:11-25 The priesthood and law by which perfection could not come, are done away; a Priest is risen, and a dispensation now set up, by which true believers may be made perfect. That there is such a change is plain. The law which made the Levitical priesthood, showed that the priests were frail, dying creatures, not able to save their own lives, much less could they save the souls of those who came to them. But the High Priest of our profession holds his office by the power of endless life in himself; not only to keep himself alive, but to give spiritual and eternal life to all who rely upon his sacrifice and intercession. The better covenant, of which Jesus was the Surety, is not here contrasted with the covenant of works, by which every transgressor is shut up under the curse. It is distinguished from the Sinai covenant with Israel, and the legal dispensation under which the church so long remained. The better covenant brought the church and every believer into clearer light, more perfect liberty, and more abundant privileges. In the order of Aaron there was a multitude of priests, of high priests one after another; but in the priesthood of Christ there is only one and the same. This is the believer's safety and happiness, that this everlasting High Priest is able to save to the uttermost, in all times, in all cases. Surely then it becomes us to desire a spirituality and holiness, as much beyond those of the Old Testament believers, as our advantages exceed theirs.


Numbers 23:19 "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
1 Samuel 15:29 "Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind."
Psalm 110:4 The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."
Romans 11:29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Hebrews 5:6 just as He says also in another passage, "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK."
Hebrews 7:17 For it is attested of Him, "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK."
Hebrews 7:23 The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing,
Hebrews 7:28 For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever. (NASB ©1995)

Addressed Attested Change Forever Formerly Hold Holds Indeed Melchisedec Melchizedek Mind Oath Office Order Priest Priests Recall Repent Sware Swore Sworn Thou Words


(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)

an oath. or, swearing of an oath.
The Lord. 17 Ps 110:4

sware. See on ch. 6:16-18

Bible Gateway: Hebrews Chapter 7 Verse 21 NIV ESV NKJV NLT KJV Message Amplified

Alphabetical: for a an and are became but change forever' forever' God has he him his indeed Lord mind not oath One priest priests said sworn The they through to when who will with without You

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NT Letters: Hebrews 7:21 For they indeed have been made priests (Heb. He. Hb) Christian Bible Study Resources, Dictionary, Concordance and Search Tools

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