Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 7:23

"And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing:" — Hebrews 7:23 (ASV)

Were many priests.—Rather, have been made priests many (i.e., in large numbers), because by death they were prevented from continuing. (Compare to Hebrews 7:8, where the thought is somewhat similar.)