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.
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,
These cross references all relate to the idea of succession and continuity in the Levitical priesthood. In 1 Chronicles 6 and Nehemiah 12, we see a long line of priests and their descendants, showing the lineage of the priesthood that has been passed down through generations. This is echoed in Hebrews 7:23, which speaks of the many priests who have been prevented from continuing in office due to death. This emphasizes the idea that the Levitical priesthood is an ongoing tradition, and that it is not limited to a single individual.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| 1 Chronicles 6:3-14: The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Eleazar fathered Phinehas, Phinehas fathered Abishua, Abishua fathered Bukki, Bukki fathered Uzzi, Uzzi fathered Zerahiah, Zerahiah fathered Meraioth, Meraioth fathered Amariah, Amariah fathered Ahitub, | Both passages discuss the lineage of priests that served in the Old Testament. Hebrews 7:23 speaks to the fact that the number of priests was high because of their mortality, while 1 Chronicles 6:3–14 lists the descendants of Aaron, the first high priest, from his son Nadab to his great-grandson Ahitub. This genealogy shows the lineage of the priests that served in the Old Testament and provides a historical context to the discussion in Hebrews 7:23. |
| Nehemiah 12:10-11: And Jeshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim the father of Eliashib, Eliashib the father of Joiada, Joiada the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan the father of Jaddua. | Both passages refer to the lineage of priests in the Old Testament. Hebrews 7:23 speaks of the former priests who, due to death, were not able to continue in office. Nehemiah 12:10-11 lists the names of the priests in the Old Testament, beginning with Jeshua and ending with Jaddua. These two passages are connected because the list of names in Nehemiah 12:10-11 provides examples of the former priests mentioned in Hebrews 7:23. |
| Hebrews 7:8: In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. | Both passages from Hebrews 7 discuss the difference between the priesthood of the Old Covenant and the priesthood of the New Covenant. The first passage (7:23) notes that the former priests were many in number and were prevented from continuing in office due to death. This highlights the transitory nature of the Old Covenant priesthood. The second passage (7:8) contrasts this with the priesthood of the New Covenant, which is received by one of whom it is testified that he lives. This emphasizes the permanence of the New Covenant priesthood and its superiority over the Old Covenant priesthood. |
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the example of the faithful priests of old. We thank You for their dedication to You and Your service. We thank You for the example of Aaron and his sons, who faithfully served You in the tabernacle. We thank You for the faithfulness of Jeshua and Joiakim, Eliashib and Joiada, Jonathan and Jaddua.
We also thank You for the example of Jesus, who showed us the way to true and lasting life. We thank You that His priesthood is eternal, and that He is able to save us to the uttermost.
We pray that You would help us to be faithful to You, just as these priests were. Give us the grace to serve You faithfully, and to trust in Your promises. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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.