SEV Biblia, Chapter 7:11
¶ Pues si la perfeccin era por el sacerdocio levítico (porque bajo l recibi el pueblo la Ley) ¿qu necesidad había an de que se levantase otro sacerdote segn el orden de Melquisedec, y que no fuese llamado segn el orden de Aarn?
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Hebrew 7:11
Verse 11. If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood] The word teleiwsiv, as we have before seen, signifies the completing or finishing of any thing, so as to leave nothing imperfect, and nothing wanting. Applied here to the Levitical priesthood, it signifies the accomplishment of that for which a priesthood is established, viz.: giving the Deity an acceptable service, enlightening and instructing the people, pardoning all offenses, purging the conscience from guilt, purifying the soul and preparing it for heaven, and regulating the conduct of the people according to the precepts of the moral law. This perfection never came, and never could come, by the Levitical law; it was the shadow of good things to come, but was not the substance. It represented a perfect system, but was imperfect in itself. It showed that there was guilt, and that there was an absolute need for a sacrificial offering to atone for sin, and it typified that sacrifice; but every sacrificial act under that law most forcibly proved that it was impossible for the blood of BULLS and GOATS to take away sin. For under it the people received the law] That is, as most interpret this place, under the priesthood, ierwsunh being understood; because, on the priesthood the whole Mosaical law and the Jewish economy depended: but it is much better to understand ep auth on account of it, instead of under it; for it is a positive fact that the law was given before any priesthood was established, for Aaron and his sons were not called nor separated to this office till Moses came down the second time from the mount with the tables renewed, after that he had broken them, Exod. xl. 12-14. But it was in reference to the great sacrificial system that the law was given, and on that law the priesthood was established; for, why was a priesthood necessary, but because that law was broken and must be fulfilled? That another priest should rise] The law was given that the offense might abound, and sin appear exceeding sinful; and to show the absolute necessity of the sacrifice and mediation of the great Messiah, but it was neither perfect in itself, nor could it confer perfection, nor did it contain the original priesthood. Melchisedec had a priesthood more than four hundred years (422) before the law was given; and David prophesied, Psa. cx. 4, that another priest should arise after the order of Melchisedec, nearly five hundred years (476) after the law was given. The law, therefore, did not contain the original priesthood; this existed typically in Melchisedec, and really in Jesus Christ.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 11. If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood , etc..] The priesthood which was established in the tribe of Levi; so called, to distinguish it from that which was before this institution, from the times of Adam, as well as from the priesthood of Melchizedek, and from the priesthood of Christ, and from that of his people under the Gospel, who are all priests; as well as to restrain it to the subject of the apostle's discourse: the design of which is to show, that there is no perfection by it; as is clear from the priests themselves, who were but men, mortal men, sinful men, and so imperfect, and consequently their priesthood; and from their offerings, between which, and sin, there is no proportion; and at best were but typical of the sacrifice of Christ; and could neither make the priests nor the worshippers perfect, neither in their own consciences, nor in the sight of God: moral actions are preferred before them, and yet by these there is no perfection, justification, and salvation; to which may be added, that the sacrifices the priests offered did not extend to all kind of sins, only to sins of ignorance, not to presumptuous ones; and there were many under that dispensation punished with death; and at most they only delivered from temporal, not eternal punishment, and only entitled to a temporal life, not an eternal one. For under it the people received the law : not the moral law, which was given to Adam in innocence, and as it came by Moses, it was before the Levitical priesthood took place; but the ceremonial law, and which was carnal, mutable, and made nothing perfect: the Syriac version renders it, by which a law was imposed upon the people; to regard the office of priesthood, and the priests in it, and bring their sacrifices to them; and the Arabic version reads, the law of a the priest's office; which office was after the law of a carnal commandment, and so imperfect, as is manifest from what follows: for had perfection been by it, what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron ? that there was another priest promised and expected, and that he should arise after the order of Melchizedek, and who was to make his soul an offering for sin, is certain, ( Ezra 2:63 <19B004> Psalm 110:4 Isaiah 53:10) and such an one is risen, even Jesus of Nazareth; and yet there would have been no need of him, and especially that he should be of a different order from Aaron's, had there been perfection by the Levitical priesthood.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 11-25 - The priesthood and law by which perfection could not come, are don away; a Priest is risen, and a dispensation now set up, by which tru believers may be made perfect. That there is such a change is plain The law which made the Levitical priesthood, showed that the priest were frail, dying creatures, not able to save their own lives, muc less could they save the souls of those who came to them. But the Hig Priest of our profession holds his office by the power of endless lif in himself; not only to keep himself alive, but to give spiritual an eternal life to all who rely upon his sacrifice and intercession. The better covenant, of which Jesus was the Surety, is not here contraste with the covenant of works, by which every transgressor is shut u under the curse. It is distinguished from the Sinai covenant with Israel, and the legal dispensation under which the church so lon remained. The better covenant brought the church and every believe into clearer light, more perfect liberty, and more abundant privileges In the order of Aaron there was a multitude of priests, of high priest one after another; but in the priesthood of Christ there is only on and the same. This is the believer's safety and happiness, that thi everlasting High Priest is able to save to the uttermost, in all times in all cases. Surely then it becomes us to desire a spirituality an holiness, as much beyond those of the Old Testament believers, as ou advantages exceed theirs.
Greek Textus Receptus
ει 1487 μεν 3303 ουν 3767 τελειωσις 5050 δια 1223 της 3588 λευιτικης 3020 ιερωσυνης 2420 ην 2258 5713 ο 3588 λαος 2992 γαρ 1063 επ 1909 αυτη 846 νενομοθετητο 3549 5718 τις 5101 ετι 2089 χρεια 5532 κατα 2596 την 3588 ταξιν 5010 μελχισεδεκ 3198 ετερον 2087 ανιστασθαι 450 5733 ιερεα 2409 και 2532 ου 3756 κατα 2596 την 3588 ταξιν 5010 ααρων 2 λεγεσθαι 3004 5745
Vincent's NT Word Studies
11. In Christ, as the Melchisedec-priest, the ideal of the priesthood is realized.
Perfection (teleiwsiv). Only here and Luke i. 45. The act or process of consummating. By this word is signified the establishment of a perfect fellowship between God and the worshipper. See ch. ix. 9; x. 1.
Priesthood (ierwsunhv). Only in Hebrews. See vers. 12, 14. It expresses the abstract notion of the priest's office; while iJeratia ver. 5, expresses the priestly service.
For under it the people received the law (gar ep authv nenomoqethtai). Under, rather on the basis of. The verb lit. the law has been laid down Only here and ch. viii. 6.
What further need (tiv eti creia). Eti after that, assuming that there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood.
Another priest (eteron ierea). Not merely another, but a different kind of priest. See on Matt. vi. 24.
Should rise (anistasqai). In Hebrews only here and ver. 15, both times in connection with priest.
