Commentary on Hebrews and the Catholic Epistles John Calvin
HEBREWS: APPENDIX OF ADDITIONAL NOTATIONS
Appendix Z
APPENDIX Z
Chapter 7:14 For under it the people received the Law, etc These words are variously explained. The preposition {ἐπὶ} often means ``for,'' or ``on the account of,'' as {ἐπ᾿} {ἐλπίδι}, ``for the hope,'' (Acts 26:6;) and so Macknight renders it here ``on account of it the people received the Law.'' It is not true that the people were under the priesthood when they were subjected to the Law; for the Law was given before the Levitical priesthood was established: it was after the tabernacle was made and set up that Aaron and his sons were consecrated priests. See Exodus 40:12-15
Stuart gives another rendering, ``For the Law was given to the people in connection with this,'' or ``on this condition,'' as he explains himself in a note. And he observes, ``The meaning is, that the Levitical priesthood and the Mosaic Law are closely and inseparably linked together.''
As the Apostle speaks afterwards of the change of the Law, that is, respecting the priesthood, it is more consistent to regard the same law as intended here, ``though the people had received a law respecting it,'' that is, the priesthood. This is parenthetically put in for two reasons, --- to anticipate an objection on the ground of a divine appointment, and to introduce the subject for the purpose of shewing that it was an appointment intended to be changed.
Appendix A2
APPENDIX A 2
Chapter 7:1117. This passage may be thus rendered, --- 11. ``Now if indeed perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (though the people had received a law respecting it,) what need was there still that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not to be named after the order
12. of Aaron? The priesthood then being changed, there is of 13. necessity a change also of the law; for he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from whom no one
14. attended at the altar. It is indeed evident that our Lord sprang from Judah, of which tribe Moses said nothing
15. respecting the priesthood. And this is still more manifest, since according to the likeness of Melchisedec rises another
16. priest; who is made, not according to the law of carnal 17. precept, but according to the power of perpetual life; for he testifies, `Thou art a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedec.'''
law of carnal precept'' is the rule that refers to the present life, life in the flesh, which is frail and uncertain; and contrasted with it is ``perpetual life, which belongs to Christ as a priest, according to the quotation which follows. The meaning is, that Christ was not made a priest according to that law which