Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 7:21

"(for they indeed have been made priests without an oath; but he with an oath by him that saith of him, The Lord sware and will not repent himself, Thou art a priest for ever);" — Hebrews 7:21 (ASV)

For those priests.—Rather, For they indeed have been made priests without an oath.

By him that said to him.—Better, by (or, through) Him that says of Him. The last five words of the verse are absent from the best authorities: they were not needed for this part of the argument and are therefore omitted from the quotation. All that has been said in chapter 6 (Hebrews 6:13–18) on confirmation by oath must be brought in here (see Notes on Hebrews 6:16-17): the words of the Psalm are really words of promise, and the “more abundant encouragement” is given us by means of the oath that shall never be reversed.