New Testament
Hebrews 7:28
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
The law appoints men with weaknesses as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son, who is consecrated forever.
Compare translations
For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
What Hebrews 7:28 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the author of Hebrews contrasts the high priests appointed under the law with Jesus, who is appointed by God's oath. The law appoints priests who are flawed and have weaknesses, meaning they are not perfect. In contrast, Jesus, referred to as the Son, is appointed by God's promise and is perfect and eternal. This highlights the superiority of Jesus' priesthood over the traditional priesthood of the Old Testament. While the high priests had to offer sacrifices repeatedly for their own sins and the sins of the people, Jesus, being consecrated forever, offers a once-for-all sacrifice that is sufficient for all. This emphasizes the permanence and effectiveness of Jesus' role as our high priest, who intercedes for us before God.
How to apply Hebrews 7:28 to your life
Understanding that Jesus is our eternal high priest encourages us to rely on His perfect sacrifice for our sins. We can approach God with confidence, knowing that Jesus intercedes for us and that His grace is sufficient for our weaknesses.
Curated for this public verse page. Hebrews Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Paul's story: The Stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:57–8:2)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Paul
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Nazareth
The small town in Galilee where Jesus grew up.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Hebrews 7:28
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Hebrews 7:28
Related Bible verses
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Hebrews
- Author
- Author unknown; traditionally attributed to Paul
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Letter and sermon
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Hebrews 7:28 say about high priests?
Hebrews 7:28 explains that the law appoints high priests who are flawed and have weaknesses. This means that the traditional high priests were not perfect and had their own sins to atone for. In contrast, the verse highlights that Jesus, referred to as the Son, is appointed by God's oath and is consecrated forever, emphasizing His perfection and eternal role as our high priest.
How does Jesus' priesthood differ from the Old Testament priests?
Jesus' priesthood, as described in Hebrews 7:28, is superior to that of the Old Testament priests because He is appointed by God's oath rather than by the law. While the Old Testament priests had to repeatedly offer sacrifices for their own sins and the sins of the people, Jesus offers a once-for-all sacrifice that is perfect and eternal, making Him the ultimate high priest who intercedes for us before God.
What is the significance of Jesus being 'consecrated forever'?
The phrase 'consecrated forever' in Hebrews 7:28 signifies that Jesus' priesthood is eternal and unchanging. Unlike the Old Testament priests who served for a limited time and had to be replaced due to death, Jesus' role as our high priest is permanent. This assures believers that His sacrifice is sufficient for all time, providing a lasting solution for sin and a continual intercession on our behalf.
How can I apply Hebrews 7:28 to my life?
Hebrews 7:28 encourages believers to trust in Jesus as our eternal high priest. This means we can approach God with confidence, knowing that Jesus intercedes for us and that His sacrifice covers all our sins. Understanding this can strengthen our faith and reliance on His grace, reminding us that we do not have to earn God's favor through our own efforts, but can rest in the sufficiency of Christ's work.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.