Hebrews 7:28 - For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath which came after the law appoints a Son forever who has been perfected.
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What does "Hebrews 7:28" mean?
Hebrews 7:28 contrasts the Old Covenant priesthood with the priesthood of Jesus under the New Covenant. Let's break down the verse and its meaning:
"For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness..." This refers to the Levitical priesthood established under the Mosaic Law. These priests were human, flawed, and subject to sin. They were mortal, meaning they died and had to be replaced. Therefore, their priesthood was temporary and imperfect. Their weakness also refers to their inability to fully atone for sin; they could only offer repeated sacrifices that symbolized atonement, but didn't truly cleanse the conscience.
"...but the word of the oath which came after the law..." This refers to God's oath, a solemn promise confirmed by God Himself (likely referencing Psalm 110:4). This oath came after the establishment of the Law. This implies the New Covenant, which God swore with an oath, supersedes the Old Covenant of the Law.
"...appoints a Son forever who has been perfected." This "Son" is Jesus Christ. He is appointed as High Priest not through lineage or law, but by divine oath. His priesthood is eternal ("forever"). He is perfected, meaning He is fully equipped and qualified to be the perfect and final High Priest. He lived a sinless life, died as a perfect sacrifice, and was resurrected. This perfection makes His sacrifice effective once and for all, unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament priests.
In essence, the verse contrasts:
| Feature | Levitical Priesthood (Old Covenant) | Jesus' Priesthood (New Covenant) |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------- |
| Appointment | By Law (Mosaic Law, based on lineage) | By Oath (Divine Promise) |
| Priests | Weak, sinful men | Jesus, the perfect and sinless Son of God |
| Duration | Temporary, mortal | Eternal, immortal |
| Effectiveness | Limited, repeated sacrifices needed | Perfect, a single, once-for-all sacrifice |
Therefore, the main point of Hebrews 7:28 is to demonstrate the superiority of Jesus' priesthood over the Old Testament priesthood. This superiority is based on the fact that Jesus is appointed by God's oath, He is a perfect and eternal High Priest, and His sacrifice provides complete and final atonement for sin.
The author of Hebrews is arguing that believers should place their trust and hope in Jesus, the perfect and eternal High Priest, rather than relying on the imperfect and temporary system of the Old Covenant.
Hebrews 7:28 - For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath which came after the law appoints a Son forever who has been perfected.
What does "Hebrews 7:28" mean?
Hebrews 7:28 contrasts the Old Covenant priesthood with the priesthood of Jesus under the New Covenant. Let's break down the verse and its meaning:
"For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness..." This refers to the Levitical priesthood established under the Mosaic Law. These priests were human, flawed, and subject to sin. They were mortal, meaning they died and had to be replaced. Therefore, their priesthood was temporary and imperfect. Their weakness also refers to their inability to fully atone for sin; they could only offer repeated sacrifices that symbolized atonement, but didn't truly cleanse the conscience.
"...but the word of the oath which came after the law..." This refers to God's oath, a solemn promise confirmed by God Himself (likely referencing Psalm 110:4). This oath came after the establishment of the Law. This implies the New Covenant, which God swore with an oath, supersedes the Old Covenant of the Law.
"...appoints a Son forever who has been perfected." This "Son" is Jesus Christ. He is appointed as High Priest not through lineage or law, but by divine oath. His priesthood is eternal ("forever"). He is perfected, meaning He is fully equipped and qualified to be the perfect and final High Priest. He lived a sinless life, died as a perfect sacrifice, and was resurrected. This perfection makes His sacrifice effective once and for all, unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament priests.
In essence, the verse contrasts:
| Feature | Levitical Priesthood (Old Covenant) | Jesus' Priesthood (New Covenant) |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------- |
| Appointment | By Law (Mosaic Law, based on lineage) | By Oath (Divine Promise) |
| Priests | Weak, sinful men | Jesus, the perfect and sinless Son of God |
| Duration | Temporary, mortal | Eternal, immortal |
| Effectiveness | Limited, repeated sacrifices needed | Perfect, a single, once-for-all sacrifice |
Therefore, the main point of Hebrews 7:28 is to demonstrate the superiority of Jesus' priesthood over the Old Testament priesthood. This superiority is based on the fact that Jesus is appointed by God's oath, He is a perfect and eternal High Priest, and His sacrifice provides complete and final atonement for sin.
The author of Hebrews is arguing that believers should place their trust and hope in Jesus, the perfect and eternal High Priest, rather than relying on the imperfect and temporary system of the Old Covenant.