Hebrews 8:4

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Hebrews 8:2–6 · Berean Standard Bible

2 and who ministers in the sanctuary and true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.

3 And since every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, it was necessary for this One also to have something to offer.

4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer gifts according to the law.

5 The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

6 Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises.

Greek words

Data created by STEPBible.org based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).

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Cross-references

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.

Hebrews 7:11

Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?

Hebrews 7:12

For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.

Hebrews 7:13

He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.

Hebrews 7:14

For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.

Hebrews 7:15

And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,

Numbers 16:40

just as the LORD commanded him through Moses. This was to be a reminder to the Israelites that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his followers.

Numbers 17:12

Then the Israelites declared to Moses, “Look, we are perishing! We are lost; we are all lost!

Numbers 17:13

Anyone who comes near the tabernacle of the LORD will die. Are we all going to perish?”

Numbers 18:5

And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and of the altar, so that wrath may not fall on the Israelites again.

2 Chronicles 26:18

They took their stand against King Uzziah and said, “Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD. Only the priests, the descendants of Aaron, are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully; you will not receive honor from the LORD God.”

2 Chronicles 26:19

Uzziah, with a censer in his hand to offer incense, was enraged. But while he raged against the priests in their presence in the house of the LORD before the altar of incense, leprosy broke out on his forehead.

Hebrews 11:4

By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.