1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man [was], unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he [receiveth them], of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need [was there] that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14 For [it is] evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17 For he testifieth, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath [he was made priest]:
21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24 But this [man], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26 For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
Overview of Hebrews Chapter 7
Hebrews Chapter 7 focuses on the figure of Melchizedek, a mysterious priest-king from the Old Testament, and draws parallels between him and Jesus Christ. The chapter emphasizes the superiority of Christ’s priesthood over the Levitical priesthood, highlighting themes of eternal priesthood, sacrifice, and the fulfillment of the law.
Key Themes
- Melchizedek as a Type of Christ:
Melchizedek is presented as a precursor to Christ, symbolizing an eternal priesthood that transcends the Levitical order.
- The Superiority of Christ’s Priesthood:
The chapter argues that Jesus’ priesthood is superior because it is based on an indestructible life rather than a lineage.
- New Covenant:
Hebrews 7 emphasizes the establishment of a new covenant, which fulfills and surpasses the old covenant established through the Levitical priests.
- Faith and Righteousness:
The text illustrates how righteousness is obtained through faith, as exemplified by Abraham’s encounter with Melchizedek.
Structure of the Chapter
- Verses 1-3: Introduction of Melchizedek
The chapter begins by introducing Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the Most High God, who blessed Abraham and received tithes from him.
- Verses 4-10: The Significance of Melchizedek
These verses discuss the greatness of Melchizedek, emphasizing his lack of genealogy and the implications of this for his priesthood. The author notes that Levi, the ancestor of the Levitical priests, paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham.
- Verses 11-19: The Need for a New Priesthood
The author argues that if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood, there would have been no need for another priest to arise in the order of Melchizedek. This section emphasizes the limitations of the old covenant and the necessity for a new one.
- Verses 20-22: The Oath of Christ’s Priesthood
These verses highlight that Christ’s priesthood is established with an oath from God, which further solidifies its permanence and superiority.
- Verses 23-25: The Eternal Nature of Christ’s Priesthood
The chapter concludes with a declaration of the eternal nature of Christ’s priesthood, emphasizing that He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him.
Theological Implications
- Christ as the Ultimate High Priest:
Hebrews 7 establishes Jesus as the ultimate high priest who mediates between God and humanity, fulfilling the role that Melchizedek foreshadowed.
- Understanding the New Covenant:
This chapter is pivotal in understanding the transition from the old covenant to the new covenant, which is centered on grace rather than law.
- Faith and Assurance:
The assurance of salvation through Christ’s eternal priesthood is a central message, encouraging believers to trust in His ability to intercede on their behalf.
Conclusion
Hebrews Chapter 7 serves as a crucial theological exposition on the nature of Christ’s priesthood, using Melchizedek as a foundational figure to illustrate the transition from the old covenant to the new. The chapter reinforces the themes of faith, righteousness, and the eternal nature of Christ’s sacrifice, providing believers with a profound understanding of their relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
