Hebrews 7:11

Authorized King James Version

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If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

Original Language Analysis

Εἰ If G1487
Εἰ If
Strong's: G1487
Word #: 1 of 32
if, whether, that, etc
μὲν G3303
μὲν
Strong's: G3303
Word #: 2 of 32
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
οὖν therefore G3767
οὖν therefore
Strong's: G3767
Word #: 3 of 32
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
τελείωσις perfection G5050
τελείωσις perfection
Strong's: G5050
Word #: 4 of 32
(the act) completion, i.e., (of prophecy) verification, or (of expiation) absolution
διὰ by G1223
διὰ by
Strong's: G1223
Word #: 5 of 32
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 6 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Λευιτικῆς the Levitical G3020
Λευιτικῆς the Levitical
Strong's: G3020
Word #: 7 of 32
levitic, i.e., relating to the levites
ἱερωσύνης priesthood G2420
ἱερωσύνης priesthood
Strong's: G2420
Word #: 8 of 32
sacredness, i.e., (by implication) the priestly office
ἦν were G2258
ἦν were
Strong's: G2258
Word #: 9 of 32
i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 10 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαὸς the people G2992
λαὸς the people
Strong's: G2992
Word #: 11 of 32
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
γὰρ (for G1063
γὰρ (for
Strong's: G1063
Word #: 12 of 32
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἐπ' under G1909
ἐπ' under
Strong's: G1909
Word #: 13 of 32
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
αὐτῇ it G846
αὐτῇ it
Strong's: G846
Word #: 14 of 32
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
νενομοθέτητο, received the law G3549
νενομοθέτητο, received the law
Strong's: G3549
Word #: 15 of 32
to legislate, i.e., (passively) to have (the mosaic) enactments injoined, be sanctioned (by them)
τίς what G5101
τίς what
Strong's: G5101
Word #: 16 of 32
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ἔτι further G2089
ἔτι further
Strong's: G2089
Word #: 17 of 32
"yet," still (of time or degree)
χρεία need G5532
χρεία need
Strong's: G5532
Word #: 18 of 32
employment, i.e., an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution
κατὰ after G2596
κατὰ after
Strong's: G2596
Word #: 19 of 32
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 20 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τάξιν the order G5010
τάξιν the order
Strong's: G5010
Word #: 21 of 32
regular arrangement, i.e., (in time) fixed succession (of rank or character), official dignity
Μελχισέδεκ of Melchisedec G3198
Μελχισέδεκ of Melchisedec
Strong's: G3198
Word #: 22 of 32
melchisedek (also melchisedec or malki-tsedek)
ἕτερον was there that another G2087
ἕτερον was there that another
Strong's: G2087
Word #: 23 of 32
(an-, the) other or different
ἀνίστασθαι should rise G450
ἀνίστασθαι should rise
Strong's: G450
Word #: 24 of 32
to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
ἱερέα priest G2409
ἱερέα priest
Strong's: G2409
Word #: 25 of 32
a priest (literally or figuratively)
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 26 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὐ not G3756
οὐ not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 27 of 32
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
κατὰ after G2596
κατὰ after
Strong's: G2596
Word #: 28 of 32
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 29 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τάξιν the order G5010
τάξιν the order
Strong's: G5010
Word #: 30 of 32
regular arrangement, i.e., (in time) fixed succession (of rank or character), official dignity
Ἀαρὼν of Aaron G2
Ἀαρὼν of Aaron
Strong's: G2
Word #: 31 of 32
aaron, the brother of moses
λέγεσθαι be called G3004
λέγεσθαι be called
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 32 of 32
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Analysis & Commentary

A devastating question: 'If perfection were through the Levitical priesthood...what further need was there for another priest to arise?' The word 'perfection' (Greek 'teleiōsis') means completion/maturity, particularly in relationship with God. The Levitical priesthood couldn't perfect because it couldn't finally deal with sin (10:1-4). The emergence of another priesthood (Psalm 110:4) proves the first was insufficient. This demolishes any claim that old covenant mechanisms can save.

Historical Context

Psalm 110:4, a royal psalm attributed to David, predicted a future priest-king after Melchizedek's order. This prophecy indicated even in David's time that the Levitical priesthood wouldn't be permanent or sufficient.

Questions for Reflection