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.
Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law.
The cross references for Hebrews 8:4 emphasize the importance of having a priestly line of descent and the need for an appropriate sacrifice to be given to God. They also emphasize the importance of keeping the law and the consequences of breaking it. Finally, they point to the idea of faith and its power to speak even after death. All of these themes relate to Hebrews 8:4, which emphasizes the need for a priestly line of descent and the offering of gifts according to the law.
| 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 priests in the Old Testament. Hebrews 8:4 states that, had Jesus been on earth, he would not have been a priest according to the law, as there were already priests offering gifts. Numbers 16:40 reminds the people of Israel that only priests descended from Aaron should come near to offer incense to the Lord, as Korah and his company had been warned by Moses. |
| Numbers 18:5: And you shall keep guard over the sanctuary and over the altar, that there may never again be wrath on the people of Israel. | Both passages refer to the Levitical priesthood, which is the priesthood of Aaron and his descendants. Hebrews 8:4 speaks to the fact that since the priestly service is done in the earthly tabernacle, according to the law, Jesus could not serve as a priest if He were on earth. Numbers 18:5 refers to the responsibility of the priests to guard the sanctuary and altar, so that the wrath of God would not come upon the people of Israel. |
| 2 Chronicles 26:18-19: 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. | Both passages discuss the role of priests in offering gifts to the LORD. Hebrews 8:4 explains that if Christ were on earth, he would not be a priest, since there are already priests offering gifts according to the law. 2 Chronicles 26:18-19 describes how King Uzziah attempted to offer gifts to the LORD, but the priests reminded him that it was their role to do so, not his. Uzziah became angry and was struck with leprosy as a result. |
| Hebrews 5:1: For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. | Both passages refer to the role of a priest in relation to God, and how they offer gifts and sacrifices. Hebrews 8:4 states that if Jesus were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are already priests offering gifts according to the law. Hebrews 5:1 explains that a high priest is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, offering gifts and sacrifices for sins. |
| Hebrews 7:11-15: 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? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, | Both passages refer to the Levitical priesthood and the law. Hebrews 8:4 explains that if Jesus was on earth, he would not be a priest since there are already priests who offer gifts according to the law. Hebrews 7:11-15 compares the Levitical priesthood to the priesthood of Jesus, noting that there must be a change in the law when there is a change in the priesthood. The passage also explains that Jesus belongs to the tribe of Judah, which Moses did not mention in connection with priests. Finally, the passage states that Jesus is in the likeness of Melchizedek. |
| Hebrews 11:4: By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. | Both passages discuss the concept of offering a sacrifice to God. Hebrews 8:4 explains that offering a sacrifice is a role of a priest, who is only able to do so according to the law. Hebrews 11:4 explains that faith is also an important factor when offering a sacrifice to God, as Abel did, and was commended as righteous by God. Through his faith, even after his death, Abel still speaks. |
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus, who is our High Priest, the One who offers the perfect sacrifice for our sins. We thank You for the reminder of the Levitical priesthood, and how it served as an example of Your holiness and justice. We thank You for the faith of Abel, and for the example of his obedience and sacrifice.
Help us to follow the example of Your priests, and to offer up our lives as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to You. Give us the courage to stand against the temptation to stray from Your will, and to faithfully follow the path You have laid out for us.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our High Priest. 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.