SEV Biblia, Chapter 7:23
Y, los otros, cierto, fueron muchos sacerdotes en cuanto por la muerte no podían permanecer;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Hebrew 7:23
Verse 23. And they truly were many priests] Under the Mosaic law it was necessary there should be a succession of priests, because, being mortal, they were not suffered to continue always by reason of death.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 23. And they truly were many priests , etc..] There were many common priests at a time; and though there was but one high priest at a time, yet there were many of them in a line of succession from Aaron down to the apostle's time. The Jews say f116 , that under the first temple eighteen high priests ministered, and under the second temple more than three hundred: this shows the imperfection of this priesthood, since it was in many hands; no one continuing and being sufficient to execute it; but Christ is the one and only high priest; there is no other, nor is there any need of any other: the reason why there were so many under the law was, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death ; death has a power to forbid a long continuance in this world, and no man does continue long here: death puts a stop to men's works, and to the exercise of their several callings; no office, even the most sacred, exempts from it; no, not the office of high priests: these were but men, sinful men, and so died; and their discontinuance by reason of death shows the imperfection of their priesthood: there was another reason besides this which the apostle gives, why the high priests were so many, and especially about this time; and that is, the office was bought for money, and men that would give most were put into it: hence there were frequent changes; the Jews themselves say, they changed every twelve months f117 .
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
και 2532 οι 3588 μεν 3303 πλειονες 4119 εισιν 1526 5748 γεγονοτες 1096 5756 ιερεις 2409 δια 1223 το 3588 θανατω 2288 κωλυεσθαι 2967 5745 παραμενειν 3887 5721
Vincent's NT Word Studies
23. Were many priests (pleionev eisin gegonotev iereiv). Comp. ver. 21 for the construction. Rend. have been made priests many in number.
Because they were not suffered to continue (dia to kwluesqai paramenein). Rend. because they are hindered from continuing. Paramenein "to abide by their ministration."
