Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
The cross references for Hebrews 7:13 provide support for the idea that Jesus did not come from the tribe of Levi, which was the tribe of priests, but from the tribe of Judah. This is further emphasized by the references to Numbers 16 and 17, which speak of the need for only priests from the tribe of Aaron to serve at the altar, and the reference to 2 Chronicles 26, which speaks of the consequences of Uzziah, who was not from the tribe of Levi, attempting to serve at the altar. The reference to Hebrews 7:11 and 14 further emphasize this point, as the author of Hebrews is making the point that Jesus did not come from the tribe of Levi, which was the tribe of priests. The overall theme of these cross references is that Jesus did not come from the tribe of Levi, and thus was not qualified to serve at the altar, and that this was in accordance with God's plan.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| Numbers 16:40: to be a reminder to the people of Israel, so that no outsider, who is not of the descendants of Aaron, should draw near to burn incense before the Lord, lest he become like Korah and his company—as the Lord said to him through Moses. | Both passages refer to the role of Aaron and his descendants in the service of the Lord. Hebrews 7:13 is a reference to Jesus, who was not a descendant of Aaron and thus did not serve at the altar. Numbers 16:40 is a reminder to the Israelites that only those of Aaron's descendants should come near to burn incense before the Lord, as Korah and his company were punished for attempting to do so. |
| Numbers 17:5: And the staff of the man whom I choose shall sprout. Thus I will make to cease from me the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against you.” | Both passages discuss the importance of the tribe of Levi in the Israelite religion. In Hebrews 7:13, it is made clear that Jesus did not belong to the tribe of Levi, which was necessary to serve in the altar. Numbers 17:5, on the other hand, explains that the tribe of Levi was chosen by God to serve in the altar, and their presence would put an end to the grumblings of the people of Israel. |
| 2 Chronicles 26:16-21: But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. But Azariah the priest went in after him, with eighty priests of the Lord who were men of valor, and they withstood King Uzziah and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary, for you have done wrong, and it will bring you no honor from the Lord God.” Then Uzziah was angry. Now he had a censer in his hand to burn incense, and when he became angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead in the presence of the priests in the house of the Lord, by the altar of incense. And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and behold, he was leprous in his forehead! And they rushed him out quickly, and he himself hurried to go out, because the Lord had struck him. | Both passages discuss the importance of the Levitical priesthood in relation to the altar of incense. Hebrews 7:13 explains that Jesus, who belonged to the tribe of Judah, did not serve at the altar, thus emphasizing the importance of the Levitical priesthood. 2 Chronicles 26:16-21 further highlights the importance of the Levitical priesthood by recounting the story of King Uzziah, who attempted to burn incense on the altar of incense but was stopped by the priests. This story demonstrates the consequences of attempting to usurp the role of the Levitical priesthood. |
| Hebrews 7:11: Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? | Both passages reference the priesthood of Jesus. Hebrews 7:13 explains that Jesus did not come from the tribe of Levi, which was responsible for the Levitical priesthood. Hebrews 7:11 goes on to explain that if the Levitical priesthood was sufficient, there would be no need for another priest to arise, such as Jesus, who was of the order of Melchizedek. Therefore, these two passages show how Jesus, who was not from the tribe of Levi, fulfilled a priestly role that was not attainable under the Levitical priesthood. |
| Hebrews 7:14: For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. | Both passages in Hebrews 7 discuss the fact that Jesus was not from the tribe of Levi, the tribe from which priests were traditionally chosen. Hebrews 7:13 states that Jesus belonged to the tribe of Judah, from which no one has ever served at the altar. Hebrews 7:14 further explains that Moses said nothing about priests coming from the tribe of Judah, making Jesus' priesthood even more remarkable. |
Heavenly Father, we come before You today to thank You for Your perfect plan of salvation through Your Son, Jesus. We thank You that He was born of the tribe of Judah, and not the tribe of Levi, to fulfill Your plan of redemption. We thank You that He was the perfect High Priest, who had no need to offer sacrifices for Himself, and who was not bound by the law of the Levitical priesthood.
We thank You for Your grace and mercy, that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to be our perfect High Priest, and to offer the perfect sacrifice for our sins. We pray that we would always remember the great love You
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.