Hebrews 7:20
New International Version
And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath,

New Living Translation
This new system was established with a solemn oath. Aaron’s descendants became priests without such an oath,

English Standard Version
And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath,

Berean Standard Bible
And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,

Berean Literal Bible
And inasmuch as it was not apart from an oath, for those ones truly are becoming priests without an oath,

King James Bible
And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

New King James Version
And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath

New American Standard Bible
And to the extent that it was not without an oath

NASB 1995
And inasmuch as it was not without an oath

NASB 1977
And inasmuch as it was not without an oath

Legacy Standard Bible
And inasmuch as it was not without an oath

Amplified Bible
And indeed it was not without the taking of an oath [that Christ was made priest]

Christian Standard Bible
None of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
None of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,

American Standard Version
And inasmuch as it is not without the taking of an oath

English Revised Version
And inasmuch as it is not without the taking of an oath

GOD'S WORD® Translation
None of this happened without an oath. The men from the tribe of Levi may have become priests without an oath,

Good News Translation
In addition, there is also God's vow. There was no such vow when the others were made priests.

International Standard Version
Now none of this happened without an oath. Others became priests without any oath,

Majority Standard Bible
And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,

NET Bible
And since this was not done without a sworn affirmation--for the others have become priests without a sworn affirmation,

New Heart English Bible
Inasmuch as he was not made priest without the taking of an oath,

Webster's Bible Translation
And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

Weymouth New Testament
And since it was not without an oath being taken--

World English Bible
Inasmuch as he was not made priest without the taking of an oath
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And inasmuch as [it is] not apart from oath

Berean Literal Bible
And inasmuch as it was not apart from an oath, for those ones truly are becoming priests without an oath,

Young's Literal Translation
And inasmuch as it is not apart from oath, (for those indeed apart from oath are become priests,

Smith's Literal Translation
And as much as not without sacrifice sanctioned by solemn oath:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And inasmuch as it is not without an oath, (for the others indeed were made priests without an oath;

Catholic Public Domain Version
Moreover, it is not without an oath. For certainly, the others were made priests without an oath.

New American Bible
And to the degree that this happened not without the taking of an oath —for others became priests without an oath,

New Revised Standard Version
This was confirmed with an oath; for others who became priests took their office without an oath,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he confirmed it for us by oath.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he confirmed it to us by an oath.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And inasmuch as he was made a priest, not without an oath,

Godbey New Testament
And in as much as it is without an oath, for the priests were made without an oath;

Haweis New Testament
Moreover, forasmuch as he was not made priest without an oath,

Mace New Testament
Besides those priests were establish'd without any oath: but this with an oath,

Weymouth New Testament
And since it was not without an oath being taken--

Worrell New Testament
And inasmuch as it was not without the taking of an oath

Worsley New Testament
Moreover inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Superior Priesthood
19(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. 20And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, 21but 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.’ ”…

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

Hebrews 5:10
and was designated by God as high priest 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 7:17
For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 7:28
For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

Hebrews 8:6
Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises.

Hebrews 9:15
Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

Hebrews 10:9
Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second.

Hebrews 10:21
and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

Hebrews 12:24
to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Hebrews 13:20
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

Matthew 26:28
This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.


Treasury of Scripture

And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

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Hebrews 7
1. Christ Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek;
11. and so far more excellent than the priests of Aaron's order.














And none of this happened without an oath
And none of this
This phrase refers to the preceding discussion in Hebrews 7 about the priesthood of Jesus Christ, which is established as superior to the Levitical priesthood. The "this" specifically points to the establishment of Jesus as a high priest in the order of Melchizedek. The author of Hebrews is emphasizing the divine and eternal nature of Christ's priesthood, which is not based on ancestry or the law but on a direct appointment by God.

happened without an oath
The use of an "oath" here is significant. In the ancient world, an oath was a solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one's future action or behavior. The Greek word for "oath" is "horkos," which underscores the seriousness and unchangeable nature of God's promise. In the context of Hebrews, the oath refers to God's promise to Jesus, as highlighted in Psalm 110:4, "The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: 'You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.'" This divine oath sets Jesus' priesthood apart from the Levitical priests, who were appointed without such an oath. The oath signifies God's unbreakable commitment to establish Jesus as the eternal high priest, providing believers with a firm foundation for their faith. This assurance is meant to inspire confidence and hope, as it underscores the reliability and permanence of God's promises.

(20) This and the next two verses constitute one sentence, the third verse answering to the first, and Hebrews 7:21 being parenthetical. Hitherto no reference has been made to the remarkable opening of Psalm 110:4, so often quoted: these three verses are occupied with the thought of the oath--or rather (for a very uncommon word is used, one that answers well to the importance of the thought) the "swearing of an oath." This is a further illustration of the words of Hebrews 7:15, "a different priest."

He was made priest.--Some supplement is needed to give clearness to the English sentence; but one of general meaning, such as "all this was done," will best answer the purpose.

Verses 20-22. - And inasmuch as not without an oath [properly, swearing of an oath, ὁρκωμοσίας] he was made priest: (for they indeed have been made priests without an oath; but he with an oath by him that saith unto him, Thou art a Priest for ever); by so much of a better covenant hath Jesus become surety. The significance of the Divine oath, in connection with the promise to Abraham, has been dwelt on above: the oath of Psalm 110. is here similarly referred to, as imitating a priesthood that rests on no mere temporary ordinance, but on the immutable Divine counsels. (Observe the first occurrence here of the word διαθήκη, introducing in the way of hint (as is usual in the Epistle) an idea to be afterwards expanded, as it is in Hebrews 8. and 9. The meaning of the word will be considered below.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

none
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

of this
ὅσον (hoson)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3745: How much, how great, how many, as great as, as much. By reduplication from hos; as As.

[happened] without
χωρὶς (chōris)
Preposition
Strong's 5565: Apart from, separately from; without. Adverb from chora; at a space, i.e. Separately or apart from.

an oath.
ὁρκωμοσίας (horkōmosias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3728: The taking of an oath, an oath. From a compound of horkos and a derivative of omnuo; asseveration on oath.

For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

[others]
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

became
γεγονότες (gegonotes)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
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.

priests
ἱερεῖς (hiereis)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2409: A priest, one who offers sacrifice to a god (in Jewish and pagan religions; of Christians only met.). From hieros; a priest.

without
χωρὶς (chōris)
Preposition
Strong's 5565: Apart from, separately from; without. Adverb from chora; at a space, i.e. Separately or apart from.

an oath,
ὁρκωμοσίας (horkōmosias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3728: The taking of an oath, an oath. From a compound of horkos and a derivative of omnuo; asseveration on oath.


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NT Letters: Hebrews 7:20 Inasmuch as he was not made priest (Heb. He. Hb)
Hebrews 7:19
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