Melchizedek and Abraham
This section proclaims the superiority of Melchizedek’s priesthood...
This section proclaims the superiority of Melchizedek’s priesthood over that of the Levites, based primarily on Genesis 14:17–20.
Hebrews 7 expands on the idea from 5:1...
Hebrews 7 expands on the idea from 5:1–10: Jesus is chosen as a high priest like Melchizedek.
1This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High.† He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.
4Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.
Collecting the tithe was both a duty and...
Collecting the tithe was both a duty and an honor for the priests under the law of Moses (Numbers 18:21–32).
from the people: This refers to all the people of Israel.
Although Melchizedek was not a descendant of Levi, he collected a tenth from Abraham, the ancestor of the Levites. This shows Melchizedek’s greater status over both Abraham and his descendants, including the priests (Hebrews 7:8–10).
Collecting the tithe was both a duty and an honor for the priests under the law of Moses (Numbers 18:21–32).
from the people: This refers to all the people of Israel.
Although Melchizedek was not a descendant of Levi, he collected a tenth from Abraham, the ancestor of the Levites. This shows Melchizedek’s greater status over both Abraham and his descendants, including the priests (Hebrews 7:8–10).
5Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.
Melchizedek blessed Abraham (Genesis 14:19 – 20). This...
Melchizedek blessed Abraham (Genesis 14:19–20). This blessing is like one a superior gives to a subordinate, such as a father blessing his son or a priest blessing his people (Genesis 49:1–28; Numbers 6:22–27). The ability to give a blessing shows that Melchizedek is greater than Abraham.
6But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.
8In the case of the Levites, mortal men collect the tenth; but in the case of Melchizedek, it is affirmed that he lives on.
And so to speak: The author knows that...
And so to speak: The author knows that saying the Levites paid a tithe to Melchizedek is not literally true, since Levi was not born yet. Abraham represented all his descendants when he paid his tithe to Melchizedek. Levi was connected to Abraham because he came from Abraham's lineage. All of Abraham's descendants were united with him. So, his action could be seen as their action.
9And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham. 10For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.
A Superior Priesthood
After explaining why Melchizedek is greater than the...
After explaining why Melchizedek is greater than the Levites (Hebrews 7:1–10), the author now argues that Jesus, our high priest like Melchizedek, is also greater than the Levitical priests of the old covenant.
11Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? 12For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.
belonged to a different trib e: Under the...
belonged to a different tribe: Under the old covenant, priests came from the tribe of Levi, but Jesus was from the tribe of Judah.
13He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.
This change in how God appoints priests (Hebrews...
This change in how God appoints priests (Hebrews 7:11–14) is clear through Jesus being appointed as a different kind of priest. Like Melchizedek, Jesus is a priest forever. His resurrection from the dead shows he has the power of an indestructible life. Since his priesthood, in the order of Melchizedek, is superior to the Levites' (7:1–10), he replaces them as priest.
15And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17For it is testified:
“You are a priest foreverin the order of Melchizedek.”†18So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless
The priests under the old covenant were weak...
The priests under the old covenant were weak because they died, which ended their service, and they were also sinful. In contrast, Jesus is the new high priest. He never sinned and he defeated death, so his priesthood is permanent and more effective.
19(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
This new system is about how God chooses...
This new system is about how God chooses a priest.
God’s serious promise is shown in the quote from Psalm 110:4.
This new system is about how God chooses a priest.
God’s serious promise is shown in the quote from Psalm 110:4.
20And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, 21but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him:
“The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind:‘You are a priest forever.’”†22Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
The old covenant needed many priests because each...
The old covenant needed many priests because each one eventually died. In contrast, Jesus's priesthood is permanent. This term refers to something unchangeable, like the sun's daily path across the sky or the regular change of seasons.
23Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. 24But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. 25Therefore He is able to save completely† those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
Jesus is free from sin and different from...
Jesus is free from sin and different from sinners (see Hebrews 4:15). This makes him better than the old covenant priests, who had to handle their own sins and those of the people (see also 5:1–3).
He holds the highest place of honor in heaven, affirming his unique role as high priest (see 2:9; 5:9; Philippians 2:5–11).
once for all: This means once, never to be repeated, not once for all people.
Jesus is free from sin and different from sinners (see Hebrews 4:15). This makes him better than the old covenant priests, who had to handle their own sins and those of the people (see also 5:1–3).
He holds the highest place of honor in heaven, affirming his unique role as high priest (see 2:9; 5:9; Philippians 2:5–11).
once for all: This means once, never to be repeated, not once for all people.
26Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself. 28For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.