Verse 4

Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law.

Referenced Verses

  • Heb 7:11-15 : 11 Jesus and the Priesthood of Melchizedek So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthood– for on that basis the people received the law– what further need would there have been for another priest to arise, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in Aaron’s order? 12 For when the priesthood changes, a change in the law must come as well. 13 Yet the one these things are spoken about belongs to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever officiated at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord is descended from Judah, yet Moses said nothing about priests in connection with that tribe. 15 And this is even clearer if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek,
  • Heb 5:1 : 1 For every high priest is taken from among the people and appointed to represent them before God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
  • Heb 11:4 : 4 By faith Abel offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith he was commended as righteous, because God commended him for his offerings. And through his faith he still speaks, though he is dead.
  • Num 16:40 : 40 It was a memorial for the Israelites, that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to burn incense before the LORD, that he might not become like Korah and his company– just as the LORD had spoken by the authority of Moses.
  • Num 17:12-13 : 12 The Israelites said to Moses,“We are bound to die! We perish, we all perish! 13 (17:28) Anyone who even comes close to the tabernacle of the LORD will die! Are we all to die?”
  • Num 18:5 : 5 You will be responsible for the care of the sanctuary and the care of the altar, so that there will be no more wrath on the Israelites.
  • 2 Chr 26:18-19 : 18 They confronted King Uzziah and said to him,“It is not proper for you, Uzziah, to offer incense to the LORD. That is the responsibility of the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who are consecrated to offer incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have disobeyed and the LORD God will not honor you!” 19 Uzziah, who had an incense censer in his hand, became angry. While he was ranting and raving at the priests, a skin disease appeared on his forehead right there in front of the priests in the LORD’s temple near the incense altar.