μετατιθεμένης. He here uses the comparatively mild and delicate term “being transferred.” When he has prepared the mind of his readers by a little further argument, he substitutes for μετάθεσις the much stronger word “annulment” (ἀθέτησις, Hebrews 7:18). It is a characteristic of the writer to be thus careful not to shock the prejudices of his readers more than was inevitable. His whole style of argument, though no less effective than that of St Paul in its own sphere, is more conciliatory, more deferential, less vehemently iconoclastic. His relation to St Paul is like that of Melanchthon to Luther.

ἐξ�. The Law and the Priesthood were so inextricably united that the Priesthood could not be altered without disintegrating the whole complex structure of the Law.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising

Old Testament