Hebrews 7:23

23 Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office;

Hebrews 7:23 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 7:23

And they truly were many priests
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 ^F21, 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 ^F23.

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 9. 1. Piske Tosephot Zebachim, Art. 72.
F23 T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 8. 2.

Hebrews 7:23 In-Context

21 but this one became a priest with an oath, because of the one who said to him, "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a priest forever' "—

22 accordingly Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.

23 Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office;

24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.

25 Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.