Hebrews 7:16
Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Original Language Analysis
ὃς
Who
G3739
ὃς
Who
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 12
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
κατὰ
after
G2596
κατὰ
after
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
3 of 12
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
νόμον
the law
G3551
νόμον
the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
4 of 12
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
σαρκίκης
of a carnal
G4559
σαρκίκης
of a carnal
Strong's:
G4559
Word #:
6 of 12
pertaining to flesh, i.e., (by extension) bodily, temporal, or (by implication) animal, unregenerate
γέγονεν
is made
G1096
γέγονεν
is made
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
7 of 12
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
κατὰ
after
G2596
κατὰ
after
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
9 of 12
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
Cross References
Revelation 1:18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.Hebrews 7:28For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.Hebrews 10:1For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.Hebrews 7:3Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.Colossians 2:20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,Colossians 2:14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;Galatians 4:9But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?Galatians 4:3Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
Historical Context
Levitical priests qualified by birth into Levi's tribe and Aaron's line. They served until age 50 or death. Christ's priesthood, based on His resurrection life, never ends.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's indestructible life give you confidence that your salvation is secure?
- What difference does it make that your High Priest operates by resurrection power, not human limitation?
Analysis & Commentary
Christ became priest 'not after the law of a carnal commandment' (the Levitical requirement of tribal descent) but 'after the power of an endless life' (Greek 'zoes akatalytou'—indestructible life). His priesthood rests not on physical qualifications but on resurrection power. The Aaronic priesthood was 'carnal' (Greek 'sarkikos'—fleshly) in being based on physical descent; Christ's is spiritual and eternal.