Hebrews 8:4

If he had been on earth he would not have been a priest at all, because there are other priests who make the offerings ordered by the law;

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

In Context

3Now every high priest is given authority to take to God the things which are given and to make offerings; so that it is necessary for this man, like them, to have something for an offering.

5Being servants of that which is a copy and an image of the things in heaven, as Moses, when he was about to make the Tent, had special orders from God: for, See, he said, that you make everything like the design which you saw in the mountain.

Read all of Hebrews 8

Cross References

Numbers 16:40To be a sign, kept in memory for ever by the children of Israel, that no man who is not of the seed of Aaron has the right of burning spices before the Lord, so that he may not be like Korah and his band: as the Lord said to him by the mouth of Moses.

Numbers 18:5You are to be responsible for the holy place and the altar, so that wrath may never again come on the children of Israel.

Hebrews 5:1Every high priest who is taken from among men is given his position to take care of the interests of men in those things which have to do with God, so that he may make offerings for sins.

Hebrews 11:4By faith Abel made a better offering to God than Cain, and he had witness through it of his righteousness, God giving his approval of his offering: and his voice still comes to us through it though he is dead.

Matthew Henry on Hebrews 8:2-6

The Priesthood of Christ. ( a. d. 62.) 1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. 4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests… Read the whole commentary →

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