Hebrews 7 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Hebrews 7

The Priestly Order of Melchizedek

7:1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.

4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers,¹ though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

Jesus Compared to Melchizedek

11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him,

“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”

18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made 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.’”

22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.

23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost² those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

Footnotes

[1] 7:5 Or brothers and sisters
[2] 7:25 That is, completely; or at all times

Commentary

v1-2: There are previous references to Melchizedek in 5.6, 10; 7.20. Now there is a more detailed explanation. The O.T. reference is Gen 14, when Melchizedek met Abraham, and Abraham gave him a tenth part of the spoils. The significance of that event is explained as it points us to Jesus Christ. Even his titles, "king of righteousness" and "king of peace" point us clearly to Jesus Christ, in whom we find both righteousness and peace.

v3: Melchizedek was made like the Son of God, who already existed. Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life. This is, of course, unusual. All key characters in the Old Testament are placed in the story by and of their parents and ancestry. Even Christ is in Matthew 1.

Melchizedek remains a priest continually, not prevented by death from continuing. The writer's purpose is to explain the eternal nature of Christ's own priesthood, not to answer all our questions about Melchizedek. Indeed, some questions remained unanswered.

v4: Melchizedek was perhaps a man of mystery, but he was a great man; Abraham the patriarch gave him a tenth of the spoils.

v5-6: According to the law, mortal men, the sons of Levi, receive tithes. Melchizedek received tithes, from Abraham and Levi; this preceded the law. The priesthood of Melchizedek is therefore greater than that of Levi. Although Melchizedek was not of the line of Levi, for he could not be, he still received tithes, and thus was a true priest of God.

v7-10: Melchizedek the greater blessed Abraham and, through him, Levi. Melchizedek is declared to be living, while Levi, and his sons, all died. Levi effectively paid his tithes, through Abraham, to Melchizedek.

v11: The Melchizedek priesthood, through which perfection comes, contrast v19, the law made nothing perfect. The point is clear; the Levitical priesthood was part of the law of God. But the priest of the new covenant was of the order of Melchizedek, not of the order of Aaron.

v12: The change from old to new covenant necessitated a change of law and of priesthood. Under the second covenant (8.7) there is a better hope (v19), and the law is set aside (v18).

v13-15: Since Jesus was of the order of Melchizedek, outside the twelve tribes, it presented no problem that He was of the tribe of Judah. The calling to be priest in the order of Melchizedek was irrespective of human birth.

Jesus Christ is described as "our Lord". No longer is God our Lord, for He is Father; Jesus Christ is our Lord.

v16-17: The Aaronic priesthood dealt with matters of the flesh, physical things, earthly regulations, and human ancestry. The priesthood of Melchizedek is to be with an indestructible life, and an eternal promise.

Christ has an 'indestructable life.' Levitical priests all died; Christ always lives. He alone has an endless life and therefore endless intercession for His own.

v18-19: The one was set aside, and something better introduced; we can draw near to God (4.16; 10.22), since we have a certain hope in Christ. How sad that we do not take advantage of this as we ought.

v20-22: Jesus Christ became high priest by an oath, the guarantee of a better covenant. Psalm 110, which includes the promise, is addressed to Jesus Christ. And He Himself is the guarantee.

v23-24: Many priests are replaced by one priest; an unchangeable and unending priesthood. He is not prevented from continuing by death, for He has defeated death.

v25: Only in Christ is there sufficient power to save, completely and eternally. He is able to keep (2 Tim 1.2; Jude 24), to deliver (Dan 3.17), to do (Rom 4.21; Eph 3.20); impotent man needs an omnipotent Saviour.

v26: Our High Priest meets our needs; His character is beyond reproach, full of goodness and perfection. In Lev 21.6-8, 10-12, 17.23 there is the need for personal purity; in Lev 21.4, the priest is the chief man.

v27: The priest and the sacrifice; He offered up Himself. The sacrifice that had already been made, a sufficient sacrifice, made once for all. This gives us hope and confidence.

v28: The law being weak and unprofitable, appointed mortal, sinful men as priests. The word of God's promise appointed the Son, eternal and omnipotent.