Heb 7:10-17 | RWP | e4.org | In the loins of his father ( εν τη οσφυ του πατρος ). Levi was not yet born. The reference is to Abraham, the forefather ( πατρος ) of Levi. This is a rabbinical imaginative refinement appealing to Jews.

‏ Hebrews 7:10-17

In the loins of his father ( εν τη οσφυ του πατρος ). Levi was not yet born. The reference is to Abraham, the forefather ( πατρος ) of Levi. This is a rabbinical imaginative refinement appealing to Jews.

Perfection ( τελειωσις ). Abstract substantive of τελειοω. More the act than the quality or state ( τελειοτης, 6:1). 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 ( ιεροσυνης ). Old word, in N.T. only here, verses 12, 24. Cf. ιερετια in verse 5. The adjective Λευειτικη occurs in Philo.

Received the law ( νενομοθετητα ). Perfect passive indicative of νομοθετεω, old compound to enact law ( νομοσ, τιθημ ), to furnish with law (as here), only other N.T. example in 8:6.

What further need was there? ( τις ετ χρεια; ). No copula expressed, but it would normally be ην αν, not just ην: "What need still would there be?"

Another priest ( ετερον ιερεα ). Of a different line ( ετερον ), not just one more ( αλλον ). Accusative of general reference with the infinitive ανιστασθα (present middle of ανιστημ intransitive).

And not to be reckoned ( κα ου λεγεσθα ). The negative ου belongs rather to the descriptive clause than just to the infinitive.

The priesthood being changed ( μετατιθεμενης της ιεροσυνης ). Genitive absolute with present passive participle of μετατιθημ, old word to transfer (Ga 1:6).

A change ( μεταθεσις ). Old substantive from μετατιθημ. In N.T. only in Heb. (7:12; 11:5; 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 ταξιν Ααρων ).

Belongeth to another tribe ( φυλης ετερας μετεσχηκεν ). See 2:14 for μετεχω, perfect active indicative here. A different ( ετερας ) tribe.

Hath given attendance at ( προσεσχηκεν ). Perfect active indicative (watch perfects in Hebrews, not "for" aorists) of προσεχω, old verb, here with either νουν (mind) or self ( εαυτον ) understood with dative case ( τω θυσιαστηριω, the altar, for which word see Mt 5:23; Lu 1:11).

It is evident ( προδηλον ). Old compound adjective ( προ, δηλος ), openly manifest to all, in N.T. only here and 1Ti 5:24f.

Hath sprung ( ανατεταλκεν ). Perfect active indicative of ανατελλω, old compound to rise up like the sun (Mt 5:45).

Yet more abundantly evident ( περισσοτερον ετ καταδηλον ). Only N.T. instance of the old compound adjective καταδηλος thoroughly clear with ετ (still) added and the comparative περισσοτερον (more abundantly) piling Ossa on Pelion like Php 1:23.

Likeness ( ομοιοτητα ). See 4:15, only N.T. examples. Cf. the verb in verse 3.

Ariseth another priest ( ανιστατα ιερευς ετερος ). As said in verse 11, now assumed in condition of first class.

Carnal ( σαρκινης ). "Fleshen" as in 1Co 3:1, not σαρκικης (fleshlike, 1Co 3:3). The Levitical priests became so merely by birth.

Of an endless life ( ζωης ακαταλυτου ). Late compound (alpha privative and verbal adjective from καταλυω, to dissolve, as in 2Co 4:1), indissoluble. Jesus as priest lives on forever. He is Life.

It is witnessed ( μαρτυρειτα ). Present passive indicative of μαρτυρεω. The author aptly quotes again Ps 110:4.