Hebrews 7:18 kjv

For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

Hebrews 7:18 nkjv

For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,

Hebrews 7:18 niv

The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless

Hebrews 7:18 esv

For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness

Hebrews 7:18 nlt

Yes, the old requirement about the priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless.

Hebrews 7 verses

Hebrews 7 18 Meaning

Hebrews 7:18 concisely declares that the prior divine command related to the Levitical priesthood was set aside or made null. This annulment occurred because that ancient system, with its associated regulations, was inherently deficient. It lacked the necessary power ("weakness") and ultimately failed to achieve true spiritual perfection or lasting benefit for humanity ("uselessness"), thus necessitating a new and superior arrangement.

Hebrews 7 18 Context

Hebrews chapter 7 meticulously builds the argument for Jesus Christ's priesthood, asserting its profound superiority over the Levitical order. The author introduces Melchizedek as a prototype, whose priesthood prefigured Christ's by being eternal and not dependent on lineage or human law. Verses 11-17 establish the absolute necessity of a change in priesthood because the Levitical system was inherently imperfect and unable to bring true perfection or provide complete access to God. Verse 18 then delivers the conclusion of this argument: because the old priesthood could not perfect, the law establishing it had to be nullified. This historical and cultural context for the Jewish Christian audience was vital, as their spiritual heritage was deeply intertwined with the Mosaic Law and the temple service. By articulating the abrogation of this "former commandment," the writer directly challenged any lingering reliance on the old covenant for salvation, presenting a radical polemic for the New Covenant established through Christ's unchangeable priesthood as the only definitive way to draw near to God.

Hebrews 7 18 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): This particle introduces an explanation or justification. It connects the previous point about the necessity of a new priesthood (v. 11-17) to the conclusion that the old law must be abolished.
• on the one hand (μέν - men): This indicates a correlation, implying a contrasting "on the other hand" (often unstated or stated later, as in the introduction of "a better hope" in v. 19). It sets up a contrast between the obsolescence of the old and the advent of the new.
• a former (προαγούσης - proagousēs): Meaning "preceding" or "going before," it describes something that existed earlier in time. Here, it refers to the prior divine ordinance or commandment.
• commandment (ἐντολῆς - entolēs): This refers to a divine injunction, ordinance, or specific statute. In this context, it pertains particularly to the Mosaic Law that regulated the Levitical priesthood and its rituals (see Heb 7:12 for "change of the law as well").
• is annulled (ἀθέτησις - athetesis): This strong noun means "setting aside," "cancellation," "disannulment," or "nullification." It implies a definite and authoritative act of making something void, indicating it no longer has force or legal validity for its ultimate purpose. It signifies a decisive end, not a modification.
• because of (διά - dia): A preposition that identifies the cause or reason. The annulment is not arbitrary but has a specific basis: the inherent flaws of the previous system.
• its weakness (αὐτῆς ἀσθένειαν - autēs astheneian): "Weakness" (ἀσθένειαν - astheneian) denotes a lack of strength, inability, or powerlessness. The Old Covenant system and the Levitical priesthood lacked the intrinsic power to fully cleanse from sin or bring ultimate perfection and unending access to God. It was incapable of achieving a final solution.
• and uselessness (καὶ ἀνωφέλειαν - kai anōfelian): "Uselessness" (ἀνωφέλειαν - anōfelian) signifies "unprofitableness," "ineffectiveness," or "valuelessness" concerning its highest purpose. While the Law had value (e.g., exposing sin, revealing God's holiness), it was "useless" in terms of providing ultimate salvation, complete atonement, or perfected conscience, rendering it ineffective for lasting spiritual benefit and intimacy with God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "a former commandment is annulled": This powerful declarative statement signifies the definitive termination of the old Mosaic legal and priestly order as the means of access to God. It's not about reforming the old, but completely replacing it with something new and superior. The "commandment" here specifically refers to the ordinance that established and governed the Levitical priesthood (Heb 7:12).
• "because of its weakness and uselessness": This crucial phrase provides the divine justification for the annulment. The old covenant system was not faulty in its origin (being divinely given) but fundamentally deficient in its ability to achieve perfection and eternal reconciliation with God. Its "weakness" implies a lack of inherent spiritual power to provide genuine forgiveness and a clear conscience. Its "uselessness" points to its failure to confer any lasting or ultimate benefit regarding salvation or direct, perfected access to a holy God, thus showing its temporary and provisional nature.

Hebrews 7 18 Bonus section

The "annulment" of the "former commandment" underscores the fundamental theological truth of the New Covenant's superiority and completeness. This does not mean that the Mosaic Law was "bad" or from a different source than God; rather, it indicates its functional limitations as a provisional arrangement. It perfectly fulfilled its design in revealing sin, demonstrating God's holiness, and pointing forward to the necessary perfect sacrifice. The Greek word athetesis implies an intentional act of setting aside due to perceived inadequacy for a higher purpose. This verse firmly establishes the finality of Christ's work in replacing the shadow with the substance, demonstrating that God Himself initiated this change due to His unfailing commitment to providing a perfect way for humanity to be reconciled to Him.

Hebrews 7 18 Commentary

Hebrews 7:18 delivers a profound theological declaration: the Mosaic Law, specifically as it pertained to the Levitical priesthood, has been abolished. This abrogation was neither arbitrary nor a divine oversight, but a necessary consequence of the Law's inherent limitations. Its "weakness" resided in its inability to perfectly deal with sin, offering only temporary covering rather than complete cleansing of the conscience. The repeated sacrifices highlighted its provisional nature, as they could not fundamentally remove sin or provide eternal life. Its "uselessness" in achieving God's ultimate salvific purposes meant it could not bring human beings into a truly perfected state before Him or grant direct, lasting access to the divine presence. The Law was a custodian, guiding humanity to a greater truth, but never the ultimate destination itself. Thus, Christ's coming marked not a modification of the old system but its definitive end, paving the way for a "better hope" (Heb 7:19) under the New Covenant and His perfect, unchangeable priesthood. This transition demonstrates God's consistent plan for humanity's redemption, with the Law serving its purpose as a temporary, imperfect shadow, leading ultimately to the perfect and permanent reality found in Jesus Christ.