Hebrews 6:20
New International Version
where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

New Living Translation
Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

English Standard Version
where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Berean Standard Bible
where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.

Berean Literal Bible
where Jesus, the forerunner for us, has entered, having become a high priest to the age, according to the order of Melchizedek.

King James Bible
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

New King James Version
where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

New American Standard Bible
where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

NASB 1995
where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

NASB 1977
where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Legacy Standard Bible
where a forerunner has entered for us—Jesus, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Amplified Bible
where Jesus has entered [in advance] as a forerunner for us, having become a High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Christian Standard Bible
Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because he has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.

American Standard Version
whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus has gone there ahead of us, and he is our high priest forever, just like Melchizedek.

English Revised Version
whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
where Jesus went before us on our behalf. He has become the chief priest forever in the way Melchizedek was a priest.

Good News Translation
On our behalf Jesus has gone in there before us and has become a high priest forever, in the priestly order of Melchizedek.

International Standard Version
where Jesus, our forerunner, has gone on our behalf, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Majority Standard Bible
where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.

NET Bible
where Jesus our forerunner entered on our behalf, since he became a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.

New Heart English Bible
where as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Webster's Bible Translation
Whither the forerunner hath for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Weymouth New Testament
where Jesus has entered as a forerunner on our behalf, having become, like Melchizedek, a High Priest for ever.

World English Bible
where as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
to where a forerunner entered for us—Jesus, having become Chief Priest throughout the age after the order of Melchizedek.

Berean Literal Bible
where Jesus, the forerunner for us, has entered, having become a high priest to the age, according to the order of Melchizedek.

Young's Literal Translation
whither a forerunner for us did enter -- Jesus, after the order of Melchisedek chief priest having become -- to the age.

Smith's Literal Translation
Where the forerunner, Jesus, went in for us, according to the order of Melchisedec, being a high priest forever.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Where the forerunner Jesus is entered for us, made a high priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech.

Catholic Public Domain Version
to the place where the forerunner Jesus has entered on our behalf, so as to become the High Priest for eternity, according to the order of Melchizedek.

New American Bible
where Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner, becoming high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

New Revised Standard Version
where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therein Jesus has previously entered for our sakes, and become the high priest for ever, after the order of Mel-chis'e-dec.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Where Yeshua entered before for our sake and has become The Priest for eternity in the image of Melchizedek.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
whither a forerunner for us has gone, even Jesus, who is made a high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.

Godbey New Testament
whither Jesus the forerunner has entered in our behalf, having been made a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Haweis New Testament
into which the forerunner for us is entered, even Jesus, made after the order of Melchisedec an high-priest for ever.

Mace New Testament
where Jesus is gone to usher us in, having been made an high priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec.

Weymouth New Testament
where Jesus has entered as a forerunner on our behalf, having become, like Melchizedek, a High Priest for ever.

Worrell New Testament
where, as Forerunner in our behalf, Jesus entered, having become a High Priest forever, according to the rank of Melchizedek.

Worsley New Testament
Whither Jesus our fore-runner is entered for us, being made an high-priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Unchangeable Promise
19We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.

Cross References
Psalm 110:4
The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Genesis 14:18-20
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High— / and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, / and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.

Hebrews 5:6
And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 7:17
For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 7:21
but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’”

Hebrews 4:14
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess.

Hebrews 7:1-3
This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, / and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” / Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.

Hebrews 7:24-25
But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. / Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.

Hebrews 9:11-12
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. / He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.

Hebrews 10:19-20
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, / by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body,

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Romans 8:34
Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

Revelation 1:5-6
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood, / who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.

Matthew 27:51
At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split.


Treasury of Scripture

Where the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

the forerunner.

Hebrews 2:10
For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

John 14:2,3
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you…

for.

Hebrews 1:3
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Hebrews 4:14
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Hebrews 8:1
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

an.

Hebrews 3:1
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

Hebrews 5:6,10
As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec…

Hebrews 7:1-21
For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; …

Jump to Previous
Age Behalf Chief Enter Entered Forerunner Forever High Jesus Melchisedec Melchisedek Melchizedek Melchiz'edek Order Priest Whither
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Age Behalf Chief Enter Entered Forerunner Forever High Jesus Melchisedec Melchisedek Melchizedek Melchiz'edek Order Priest Whither
Hebrews 6
1. He exhorts not to fall back from the faith;
11. but to be steadfast,
12. diligent, and patient to wait upon God;
13. because God is most sure in his promise.














where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf.
This phrase highlights Jesus as the "forerunner," a term suggesting someone who goes ahead to prepare the way for others. In the context of Hebrews, this refers to Jesus entering the heavenly sanctuary, symbolizing access to God. The concept of a forerunner is rooted in ancient practices where a scout or herald would go ahead to prepare the way for a king or army. Biblically, this connects to John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus (Isaiah 40:3, Mark 1:2-3). Jesus' role as a forerunner assures believers of their future access to God's presence, as He has already paved the way. The phrase "on our behalf" emphasizes the substitutionary nature of Jesus' work, aligning with the broader New Testament theme of Jesus as the mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5).

He has become a high priest forever
This part of the verse underscores the eternal nature of Jesus' priesthood. Unlike the Levitical priests who served temporarily and were subject to death, Jesus' priesthood is perpetual. This eternal aspect is crucial because it assures believers of a constant intercessor before God. The concept of a high priest is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, where the high priest was the only one allowed to enter the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). Jesus surpasses this by offering a once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 9:12), fulfilling and transcending the Old Testament sacrificial system.

in the order of Melchizedek.
Melchizedek is a mysterious figure who appears in Genesis 14:18-20 as the king of Salem and priest of God Most High. His priesthood is unique because it predates the Levitical priesthood and is not based on lineage. Psalm 110:4 prophesies a priesthood "in the order of Melchizedek," which the author of Hebrews applies to Jesus, indicating a superior and eternal priesthood. Melchizedek's lack of genealogy in the biblical record symbolizes an eternal priesthood, which is fulfilled in Christ. This connection emphasizes Jesus' superiority over the Levitical priests and His role as both king and priest, uniting the two offices in a way that was not possible under the Old Covenant.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
Central figure in Christianity, the Son of God, who serves as our forerunner and high priest.

2. Melchizedek
A mysterious figure from the Old Testament, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, who blesses Abraham.

3. High Priest
In Jewish tradition, the high priest was the chief religious leader, responsible for making sacrifices on behalf of the people.

4. Order of Melchizedek
A unique priestly order that predates the Levitical priesthood, signifying an eternal and superior priesthood.

5. Forerunner
A term indicating someone who goes ahead to prepare the way, in this context, Jesus entering the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf.
Teaching Points
Jesus as Our Forerunner
Jesus has gone ahead of us into the heavenly sanctuary, preparing a place for us and ensuring our access to God.

The Eternal Priesthood of Christ
Unlike the Levitical priests, whose service was temporary, Jesus' priesthood is eternal, offering us a permanent intercession.

The Significance of Melchizedek
Melchizedek's priesthood points to a higher order, one that is not based on genealogy but on divine appointment, highlighting the uniqueness of Christ's priesthood.

Assurance of Salvation
Jesus' role as high priest assures us of our salvation, as He continually intercedes for us before the Father.

Living with Confidence
Knowing that Jesus is our high priest should give us confidence to approach God with boldness and live out our faith with assurance.(20) Whither the forerunner.--Rather, Whither, as forerunner, Jesus entered for us, having become High Priest after the order of Melchizedek for ever. The Jewish high priest entered the Holiest Place by himself--a representative but not a leader. Jesus has entered the true sanctuary (Hebrews 9:24) that He may give His people entrance there (Hebrews 10:19; John 14:2-3). With this renewed mention of the great high-priestly act (Hebrews 4:14), the writer returns to the words of Scripture on which he was about to dwell (Hebrews 5:10), when the painful thought of the unpreparedness of his readers for higher Christian teaching forced itself upon his mind. In this verse the order of the words taken from the Psalm is changed; in the last words "for ever" is declared with unequalled impressiveness the permanence of our Christian hope.

. . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
where
ὅπου (hopou)
Adverb
Strong's 3699: Where, whither, in what place. From hos and pou; what(-ever) where, i.e. At whichever spot.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

[our] forerunner
πρόδρομος (prodromos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4274: A precursor, forerunner, advance guard. From the alternate of protrecho; a runner ahead, i.e. Scout.

has entered
εἰσῆλθεν (eisēlthen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1525: To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter.

on our behalf.
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

He has become
γενόμενος (genomenos)
Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

a high priest
ἀρχιερεὺς (archiereus)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 749: High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.

forever
αἰῶνα (aiōna)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 165: From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period.

in
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

order
τάξιν (taxin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5010: From tasso; regular arrangement, i.e. fixed succession, official dignity.

of Melchizedek.
Μελχισέδεκ (Melchisedek)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3198: Melchizedek, king and priest of Salem. Of Hebrew origin; Melchisedek, a patriarch.


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NT Letters: Hebrews 6:20 Where as a forerunner Jesus entered (Heb. He. Hb)
Hebrews 6:19
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