Hebrews 7:23

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

And on one hand, many people were appointed to be [Levitical] priests because they were prevented by death from continuing [to serve]. [Note: The idea is that Levitical priests had to be constantly replaced].

Cross References

Matthew 3:14

But John tried to discourage Him [from being immersed], when he said, “I should be immersed by you, and you are coming to me [for immersion]?”

Hebrews 7:21

(for [Levitical] priests were appointed without [God] taking [such] an oath, but Christ was appointed with an oath by God when He said to Him [Psa. 110:4], “The Lord made a vow and will not change His mind [when He said], ‘You are a priest forever’).”

Hebrews 7:22

So therefore, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better Agreement [between God and mankind].

Hebrews 7:24

But on the other hand, Jesus has a permanent priesthood because He lives forever.

Hebrews 7:8

And in the one case, men here [on earth, that is, the Levites] who die, collect a tenth [from the rest of the Israelites], but there [i.e., in the case of Melchizedek] it is collected by someone about whom it is declared [by Scripture] that he continues to live.