4 for if, indeed, he were upon earth, he would not be a priest -- (there being the priests who are offering according to the law, the gifts,
If indeed, then, perfection were through the Levitical priesthood -- for the people under it had received law -- what further need, according to the order of Melchisedek, for another priest to arise, and not to be called according to the order of Aaron? for the priesthood being changed, of necessity also, of the law a change doth come, for he of whom these things are said in another tribe hath had part, of whom no one gave attendance at the altar, for `it is' evident that out of Judah hath arisen our Lord, in regard to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet more abundantly most evident, if according to the similitude of Melchisedek there doth arise another priest,
And the sons of Israel speak unto Moses, saying, `Lo, we have expired; we have perished; we have all of us perished; any who is at all drawing near unto the tabernacle of Jehovah dieth; have we not been consumed -- to expire?'
and they stand up against Uzziah the king, and say to him, `Not for thee, O Uzziah, to make perfume to Jehovah, but for priests, sons of Aaron, who are sanctified to make perfume; go forth from the sanctuary, for thou hast trespassed, and `it is' not to thee for honour from Jehovah God.' And Uzziah is wroth, and in his hand `is' a censer to make perfume, and in his being wroth with the priests -- the leprosy hath risen in his forehead, before the priests, in the house of Jehovah, from beside the altar of perfume.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Hebrews 8
Commentary on Hebrews 8 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 8
In this chapter the apostle pursues his former subject, the priesthood of Christ. And,
Hbr 8:1-5
Here is,
Hbr 8:6-13
In this part of the chapter, the apostle illustrates and confirms the superior excellency of the priesthood of Christ above that of Aaron, from the excellency of that covenant, or that dispensation of the covenant of grace, of which Christ was the Mediator (v. 6): his ministry is more excellent, by how much he is the Mediator of a better covenant. The body and soul too of all divinity (as some observe) consist very much in rightly distinguishing between the two covenants-the covenant of works and the covenant of grace; and between the two dispensations of the covenant of grace-that under the Old Testament and that under the New. Now observe,