Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 8:4

"Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law;" — Hebrews 8:4 (ASV)

For if he were . . .—The oldest Greek manuscripts and two important versions read, “If then He were”; and two other changes in the text of this verse also rest on high authority. In its correct form, the verse reads as follows: If then He were on earth, He would not even be a priest (that is, He would not be a priest at all), seeing there are those who according to law offer the gifts. The argument somewhat resembles that of Hebrews 7:13-14; there, however, the impediment is that of tribe; here the thought is that the place is preoccupied by men who by express command are bringing the gifts to God.