there is necessarily a change in the law as well

The Greek that is translated as “there is necessarily a change in the law as well” or similar in English is translated in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) with muss sich zwangsläufig auch die Kultordnung, das Gesetz, ändern or “the order of rites, the law, must also inevitably change.”

complete verse (Hebrews 7:12)

Following are a number of back-translations of Hebrews 7:12:

  • Uma: “So, if the priests descendants of Lewi are replaced with another priest, the Law of Musa must certainly also be replaced.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Na, when the priesthood has already been changed, the law also has to be changed.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And when the priests are replaced, it is necessary that the Law which they observe is also replaced.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “And if the priesthood of the one(s) representing people to God is replaced, it is also necessary to replace the law that is being followed.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Well, if the priesthood was made new, of course it would not be possible/acceptable that the laws concerning this priesthood not be made new also.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “And now that the priests have been changed, it is necessary that also the law be changed.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

law

The Greek that is translated in English as “Law” or “law” is translated in Mairasi as oro nasinggiei or “prohibited things” (source: Enggavoter 2004) and in Noongar with a capitalized form of the term for “words” (Warrinya) (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

In Yucateco the phrase that is used for “law” is “ordered-word” (for “commandment,” it is “spoken-word”) (source: Nida 1947, p. 198) and in Central Tarahumara it is “writing-command.” (wsource: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)

See also teaching / law (of God) (Japanese honorifics).

Translation commentary on Hebrews 7:12

Like verse 7, this is a statement of one of the principles on which the argument is based. Since the Law is based on the priesthood (verse 11), a change in the priesthood entails a change of law. There is no the before law in the Greek text. The author means that one entire legal system is replaced by another state, namely the new covenant, not that one or two of the Old Testament laws are changed. In Hebrews the main interest in the Old Testament Law is in its regulations for worship. Has to suggests logical necessity, not any outward pressure.

If the statement in verse 12 is to make sense, priesthood must be understood as “the system of priests” or “the kind of priests.” Therefore when the priesthood is changed may be rendered as “when there is a change in the kind of priests,” “when there are no longer the same kind of priests,” or “when the kind of priests is different.” The manner in which one renders the clause there also has to be a change in the law depends on the way in which the first part of verse 12 is translated.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Letter of the Hebrews. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .