The Meaning of Hebrews 7:12 Explained

Hebrews 7:12

KJV: For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

YLT: for the priesthood being changed, of necessity also, of the law a change doth come,

Darby: For, the priesthood being changed, there takes place of necessity a change of law also.

ASV: For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  the priesthood  being changed,  there is made  of  necessity  a change  also  of the law. 

What does Hebrews 7:12 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The priesthood was such a major part of the whole Mosaic Covenant that this predicted change in the priesthood signaled a change in the whole Covenant. This verse is one of the clearest single statements in the New Testament indicating that God has terminated the Mosaic Law (Covenant; cf. Romans 10:4). Paul went on to say that Christians, therefore, are not under it ( Romans 6:14-15; Galatians 3:24-25; Galatians 5:1; Galatians 6:2; 2 Corinthians 3:7-11). That Isaiah , it is not what God has given to regulate the lives of Christians.
"If Christ is our high priest today, then there has to be a change in the law, since He could not qualify as a priest under the Levitical arrangement (being of the tribe of Judah). If the law has not been done away today, then neither has the Levitical priesthood; but if Christ is our high priest, we cannot be under the law. Every prayer offered in the name of Christ is an affirmation of the end of the law." [1]
"So by his own independent line of argument our author reaches the same conclusion as Paul: the law was a temporary provision, "our tutor to bring us unto Christ ... but now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor" ( Galatians 3:24 f.)." [2]

Context Summary

Hebrews 7:11-28 - Our Ever-Living And All-Sufficient Intercessor
If, as we saw in our last reading, the Levitical priests have been superseded, clearly the whole order of things-that is, the Mosaic covenant under which these priests were appointed-has been superseded also. The law of the carnal-that is, the outward ritual-has passed away in favor of a new dispensation which deals with the heart and character. It served a temporary purpose, but we are living in an eternal order which is steadfast and abiding.
Our Lord's priesthood is unchangeable and indissoluble. His blood and righteousness, His mediation for us, His loving understanding of us, will be a joy and comfort in the unending ages. We shall always be specially associated with Him-the brethren of the King, the sheep of the Divine Shepherd. Each priest of Aaron's line had to vacate his office; but our Lord's priesthood will never pass to another; and therefore to the uttermost lapse of time and to the farthest demand of circumstance, He will save and help all that come to Him. No infirmity weakens Him, no stain or sin unfits Him-above the heavens and from the throne He exercises His ministry. [source]

Chapter Summary: Hebrews 7

1  Christ Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek;
11  and so far more excellent than the priests of Aaron's order

Greek Commentary for Hebrews 7:12

The priesthood being changed [μετατιτεμενης της ιεροσυνης]
Genitive absolute with present passive participle of μετατιτημι — metatithēmi old word to transfer (Galatians 1:6). A change Old substantive from μετατιτημι — metatithēmi In N.T. only in Heb. (Hebrews 7:12; Hebrews 11:5; Hebrews 12:27). God‘s choice of another kind of priesthood for his Son, left the Levitical line off to one side, forever discounted, passed by “the order of Aaron” (την ταχιν Ααρων — tēn taxin Aarōn). [source]
Being changed [μετατιθεμένης]
Or transferred to another order. See on Galatians 1:6. [source]
A change [μετάθεσις]
A transfer to a new basis. Only in Hebrews. See Hebrews 11:5; Hebrews 12:27. The inferiority of the Levitical priesthood is inferred from the fact that another priesthood was promised. If perfection was possible at all under the Mosaic economy, it must come through the Levitical priesthood, since that priesthood was, in a sense, the basis of the law. The whole legal system centered in it. The fundamental idea of the law was that of a people united with God. Sin, the obstacle to this ideal union, was dealt with through the priesthood. If the law failed to effect complete fellowship with God, the priesthood was shown to be a failure, and must be abolished; and the change of the priesthood involved the abolition of the entire legal system. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Hebrews 7:12

Galatians 1:6 Removed [μετατίθεσθε]
A.V. misses the sense of the middle voice, removing or transferring yourselves, and also the force of the continuous present, are removing or going over, indicating an apostasy not consummated but in progress. The verb is used in Class. of altering a treaty, changing an opinion, desertion from an army. For other applications see Acts 7:16; Hebrews 7:12; Hebrews 11:5. Comp. lxx, Deuteronomy 27:17; Proverbs 23:10; Isaiah 29:17. Lightfoot renders are turning renegades. [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:3 Work - labor - patience [ἔπργου - κόπου - ὑπομονῆς]
Ἔργον workmay mean either the act, the simple transaction, or the process of dealing with anything, or the result of the dealing, - as a book or a picture is called a work. Κόπος laborfrom κόπτειν tostrike or hew; hence, laborious, painful exertion. Ὑπομονὴ patiencepatient endurance and faithful persistence in toil and suffering. See on 2 Peter 1:6; see on Hebrews 10:22-246. The genitives, of faith, love, hope, mark the generating principles of the work and labor and patience, which set their stamp upon each; thus, work which springs from faith, and is characteristic of faith. The phrase patience of hope is found only here; but see Romans 5:4; Romans 8:25; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 8:7; Hebrews 7:11, Hebrews 7:12. ὑπομονὴ in lxx, see 1 Chronicles 29:15; Job 14:19; Psalm 9:18; Psalm 38:7; Jeremiah href="/desk/?q=jer+4:8&sr=1">Jeremiah 4:8. We have here the great triad of Christian graces, corresponding to 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. Hope is prominent throughout the two Epistles. The triad appears, 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Galatians 5:5, Galatians 5:6; 1 Corinthians 8:13; Ephesians 4:2-5; Colossians 1:4, Colossians 1:5; 1711726396_82; 1 Peter 1:21-22. Comp. 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:5, 2 Thessalonians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 15:10, 1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 11:27; Revelation 2:2. [source]
Hebrews 7:11 Priesthood [ἱερωσύνης]
Only in Hebrews. See Hebrews 7:12, Hebrews 7:14. It expresses the abstract notion of the priest's office; while ἱερατία Hebrews 7:5, expresses the priestly service. [source]
Hebrews 12:27 The removing [τὴν μετάθεσιν]
See on Hebrews 7:12. For the thought comp. 1 John 2:17; 1 Corinthians 7:31. [source]
Hebrews 11:5 Was translated [μετετέθη]
The verb used of Enoch's translation, lxx, Genesis href="/desk/?q=ge+5:24&sr=1">Genesis 5:24. In Acts 7:16of the transporting of the remains of Jacob and his sons to Sychem. In Galatians 1:6, of the sudden change in the religious attitude of the Galatians. In Hebrews 7:12, of the change in the priesthood. [source]
Hebrews 11:5 Was translated [μετετετη]
First aorist passive indicative of μετατιτημι — metatithēmi old verb to transpose, to change as in Hebrews 7:12; Acts 7:16. That he should not see death Here again του — tou with the infinitive usually expresses purpose, but in this case result is the idea as in Matthew 21:23; Romans 1:24; Romans 7:3, etc. (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1002). He was not found Imperfect passive of ευρισκω — heuriskō from Genesis 5:24. Was still not found. Translated First aorist active of same verb as μετετετη — metetethē just before. Translation Substantive from the same verb μετατιτημι — metatithēmi used already in Hebrews 7:12 for change. See also Hebrews 12:27. Our very word “metathesis.” He hath had witness borne him Perfect passive indicative of μαρτυρεω — martureō stands on record still, “he has been testified to.” That he had been well-pleasing unto God Perfect active infinitive of ευαρεστεω — euaresteō late compound from ευαρεστος — euarestos (well-pleasing), in N.T. only in Hebrews 11:5.; Hebrews 13:16. With dative case τεωι — theōi Quoted here from Genesis 5:22, Genesis 5:24. The word is common of a servant pleasing his master. [source]
Hebrews 12:27 And this word [το δε]
He uses the article to point out “ετι απαχ — eti hapax ” which he explains The removing For this word see Hebrews 7:12; Hebrews 11:5. For the transitory nature of the world see 1 Corinthians 7:31; 1 John 2:17. “There is a divine purpose in the cosmic catastrophe” (Moffatt). Made Perfect passive participle of ποιεω — poieō Made by God, but made to pass away. That those things which are not shaken may remain Final clause with μη — mē and the first aorist active subjunctive of μενω — menō The Kingdom of God is not shaken, fearful as some saints are about it. [source]
Hebrews 7:12 The priesthood being changed [μετατιτεμενης της ιεροσυνης]
Genitive absolute with present passive participle of μετατιτημι — metatithēmi old word to transfer (Galatians 1:6). A change Old substantive from μετατιτημι — metatithēmi In N.T. only in Heb. (Hebrews 7:12; Hebrews 11:5; Hebrews 12:27). God‘s choice of another kind of priesthood for his Son, left the Levitical line off to one side, forever discounted, passed by “the order of Aaron” (την ταχιν Ααρων — tēn taxin Aarōn). [source]
Hebrews 7:18 A disannulling [ατετησις]
Late word from ατετεω — atheteō (alpha privative and τιτημι — tithēmi), to set aside (Mark 6:26), in N.T. only here and Hebrews 9:26. Common in the papyri in a legal sense of making void. Involved in μετατεσις — metathesis (change in Hebrews 7:12). Foregoing Present active participle of προαγω — proagō to go before (1 Timothy 1:18). Because of its weakness Neuter abstract adjective with article for quality as in Hebrews 7:7 with δια — dia and accusative case for reason. Unprofitableness Old compound (alpha privative and οπελος — ophelos) useless, and neuter singular like αστενες — asthenes In N.T. only here and Titus 3:9. [source]
Hebrews 7:11 Perfection [τελειωσις]
Abstract substantive of τελειοω — teleioō More the act than the quality or state The condition is of the second class, “if there were perfection, etc.” The Levitical priesthood failed to give men “a perfectly adequate relation to God” (Moffatt). Priesthood Old word, in N.T. only here, Hebrews 7:12, Hebrews 7:24. Cf. ιερετια — hieretia in Hebrews 7:5. The adjective Λευειτικη — Leueitikē occurs in Philo. Received the law Perfect passive indicative of νομοτετεω — nomotheteō old compound to enact law No copula expressed, but it would normally be ην — ēn an not just ετερον ιερεα — ēn “What need still would there be?” Another priest (ετερον — heteron hierea). Of a different line (αλλον — heteron), not just one more (ανιστασται — allon). Accusative of general reference with the infinitive ανιστημι — anistasthai (present middle of και ου λεγεσται — anistēmi intransitive). And not to be reckoned (ου — kai ou legesthai). The negative ou belongs rather to the descriptive clause than just to the infinitive. [source]
Hebrews 7:11 Priesthood [ιεροσυνης]
Old word, in N.T. only here, Hebrews 7:12, Hebrews 7:24. Cf. ιερετια — hieretia in Hebrews 7:5. The adjective Λευειτικη — Leueitikē occurs in Philo. Received the law Perfect passive indicative of νομοτετεω — nomotheteō old compound to enact law No copula expressed, but it would normally be ην — ēn an not just ετερον ιερεα — ēn “What need still would there be?” Another priest (ετερον — heteron hierea). Of a different line (αλλον — heteron), not just one more (ανιστασται — allon). Accusative of general reference with the infinitive ανιστημι — anistasthai (present middle of και ου λεγεσται — anistēmi intransitive). And not to be reckoned (ου — kai ou legesthai). The negative ou belongs rather to the descriptive clause than just to the infinitive. [source]

What do the individual words in Hebrews 7:12 mean?

Being changed for of the priesthood from necessity also of law a change takes place
μετατιθεμένης γὰρ τῆς ἱερωσύνης ἐξ ἀνάγκης καὶ νόμου μετάθεσις γίνεται

μετατιθεμένης  Being  changed 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: μετατίθημι  
Sense: to transpose (two things, one of which is put in place of the other).
τῆς  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἱερωσύνης  priesthood 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἱερωσύνη  
Sense: priesthood, the priestly office.
ἀνάγκης  necessity 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἀνάγκη  
Sense: necessity, imposed either by the circumstances, or by law of duty regarding to one’s advantage, custom, argument.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
νόμου  of  law 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: νόμος  
Sense: anything established, anything received by usage, a custom, a law, a command.
μετάθεσις  a  change 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: μετάθεσις  
Sense: transfer: from one place to another.
γίνεται  takes  place 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.

What are the major concepts related to Hebrews 7:12?

Loading Information...