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Hebrews 8:4

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Hebrews 8:4

Verse 4 of 13

Scripture focus

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

Hebrews 8:4 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Hebrews 8:4

Theological / Devotional

Were on earth. The author is thinking of the time of writing, at which time the Temple was presumably still standing (see p. 389).

Not be a priest. The rules of the Levitical priesthood were strictly enforced, and if Christ were on earth, He would not be able to qualify. Only those of the tribe of Levi were eligible, and Christ belonged to the tribe of Judah. His was an independent and heavenly priesthood, after the order of Melchisedec.

Priests that offer. This statement is an argument in favor of dating the writing of this book before the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in a.d. 70 (see p. 389).

According to the law. That is, the system of law instituted at Sinai.

By SdaBc