Hebrews 8:4

Translations

Modern

Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer gifts according to the law.

Traditional

For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

Literal

Then indeed, if He were on earth, not even would He be a priest, there being those offering the gifts according to law,

Latin

Si ergo esset super terram, nec esset sacerdos: cum essent qui offerent secundum legem munera,

Original

Greek

English

Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer gifts according to the law.

Notes

Hebrews 8:4

If Jesus were on earth, he would not be a priest under the old system (see Hebrews 7:13 –14). However, Jesus is in heaven, making his priestly role unique and better than the priests of the old covenant (8:5; 9:11, 24; 10:12).

Hebrews 8:1–10:18

This passage explains that the role of Jesus as the heavenly high priest is better than the role of earthly priests.

Theme notes and profiles

Aaron The Cities of Refuge The Superiority of the Son

Related verses

Hebrews 7:11–15
Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?
Hebrews 5:1
Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
Numbers 18:5
And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and of the altar, so that wrath may not fall on the Israelites again.
2 Chronicles 26:18–19
They took their stand against King Uzziah and said, “Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD. Only the priests, the descendants of Aaron, are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully; you will not receive honor from the LORD God.”
Numbers 17:12–13
Then the Israelites declared to Moses, “Look, we are perishing! We are lost; we are all lost!
Numbers 16:40
…just as the LORD commanded him through Moses. This was to be a reminder to the Israelites that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his followers.
Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Heaven Hebrews, Letter to the Lord’s Supper, the Mediate, Mediator

Topics

Covenant: The Second Covenant Law: Temporary The High Priest: Inferior to Christ in Being of the Order of Aaron

Hebrews 8:4

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