Hebrews 7:11

If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood At this point begins the argument which occupies the next nine verses. "Perfection" (compare the verb in Hebrews 9:9; Hebrews 10:1; Hebrews 10:14; Hebrews 11:40) means power of perfectionment, capacity to achieve the end in view; but this was not to be attained through the Levitic priesthood. The fifth point of superiority is that the Melchisedek Priesthood implies the abrogation of the Levitic, and of the whole law which was based upon it.

for under it Rather, "for on the basis of it." The writer regards the Priesthood rather than the Law as constituting the basis of the whole Mosaic system; so that into this slight parenthesis he really infuses the essence of his argument. The Priesthood is obviously changed. For otherwise the Theocratic King of Psalms 110 would not have been called "a Priest after the order of Melchisedec" but "after the order of Aaron" Clearly then "the order of Aaron" admitted of no attainment of perfection through its means. But if the Priesthood was thus condemned as imperfect and inefficient, the Law was equally disparaged as a transitory institution. Righteousness did not "come by the Law;" if it could so have come Christ would have died in vain (Galatians 2:21. Comp. Hebrews 10:1-14).

what further need was there There could be no need, since none of God's actions or dispensations are superfluous.

another priest Rather, "a different priest"

and not be called after the order of Aaron Lit., "and that he should not be said (viz. in Psalms 110:4) to be after the order of Aaron."