Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life.

“"Carnal," as being only outward and temporary, is contrasted with "endless," or, as Greek, "indissoluble." Commandments is contrasted with "life." The law can give a commandment, but it cannot give life (Heb 7:19).”

For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

“For--proving His life to be "endless" or indissoluble (Heb 7:16). The emphasis is on "for ever." The oldest manuscripts read, "He is testified of, that Thou art," &c.”

(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

“The access through the legal sacrifices was only symbolical and through the medium of a priest; that through Christ is immediate, perfect, and spiritual.”

but 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.’”

“Translate in the Greek order, "For they indeed (the existing legal priests) without the (solemn) promise on oath (so the Greek [TITTMANN]) are made priests." by him--God. unto him--the Lord, the Son of God (Ps 110:1). not repent--never change His purpose.”

Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

“13:20, "everlasting." testament--sometimes translated, "covenant." The Greek term implies that it is appointed by God, and comprises the relations and bearings partly of a covenant, partly of a testament: (1) the appointment made without the concurrence of a second party, of somewhat concerning that second…”

Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.

“Christ dies not, and so hath a priesthood which passes not from one to another. were--Greek, "are made." many--one after another; opposed to His "unchangeable (that does not pass from one to another) priesthood" (Heb 7:24).”

But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood.

“Greek, "Himself." So in Ps 110:4, "THOU art a priest"; singular, not priests, "many." continueth--Greek, simple verb, not the compound as in Heb 7:23. "Remaineth," namely, in life. unchangeable--Greek, "hath His priesthood unchangeable"; not passing from one to another, intransmissible.”

Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.

“Therefore, He has become not only a sacrifice, but an intercessor; His intercession being founded on His voluntary offering of Himself without spot to God.”

Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

“Though justifying through faith the ungodly, He hath no contact with them as such. He is lifted above our sinful community, being "made higher than the heavens," at the same time that He makes believers as such (not as sinners), "to sit together (with Him)…”

and who ministers in the sanctuary and true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.

“Here the heavenly sanctuary is meant. the true--the archetypal and antitypical, as contrasted with the typical and symbolical (Heb 9:24).”

And since every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, it was necessary for this One also to have something to offer.

“But as the high priest did not enter the Holy Place without blood, so Christ has entered the heavenly Holy Place with His own blood. That "blood of sprinkling" is in heaven.”

Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer gifts according to the law.

“The place (the heavenly Holy of Holies) was as essential to the atonement being made as the oblation (the blood). The body was burnt without the gate; but the sanctification was effected by the presentation of the blood within the sanctuary by the high priest.”

The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven.

“But as in Heb 13:10, "serve the tabernacle," that is, do it service: so "serve (the tabernacle which is but) the outline and shadow."”

Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises.

“"The messenger (angel) of the covenant." which--Greek, "one which" [ALFORD]: inasmuch as being one which. established--Greek, "enacted as a law." So Ro 3:27, "law of faith"; and Ro 8:2; 9:31, apply "law" to the Gospel covenant.”

For if that first covenant had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second.

“The law in its morality was blameless (Greek, "amomos"); but in saving us it was defective, and so not faultless (Greek, "amemptos"). should no place have been sought--as it has to be now; and as it is sought in the prophecy (Heb 8:8-11).”

But God found fault with the people and said: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and…

“Behold, the days come--the frequent formula introducing a Messianic prophecy. make--Greek, "perfect"; "consummate." A suitable expression as to the new covenant, which perfected what the old could not (compare end of Heb 8:9, with end of Heb 8:10).”

It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they…

“Even after the return from Babylon, idolatry was succeeded by what was not much better, formalism and hypocrisy (Mt 12:43).”

For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord.

“I will put--literally, "(I) giving." This is the first of the "better promises" (Heb 8:6). mind--their intelligent faculty. in, &c.--rather, " ON their hearts." Not on tables of stone as the law (2Co 3:3). write--Greek, "inscribe."”

No longer will each one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest.

“Not that the mutual teaching of brethren is excluded while the covenant is being promulgated; but when once the Holy Spirit shall have fully taught all the remission of their sins and inward sanctification, then there shall be no further' need of man teaching his…”

For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”

“Sin being abolished, sinners obtain grace. I will be merciful--Greek, "propitious"; the Hebrew, "salach," is always used of God only in relation to men.”

By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.

“Both covenants cannot exist side by side. Mark how verbal inspiration is proved in Paul's argument turning wholly on the one word "NEW" (covenant), occurring but once in the Old Testament.”

Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary.

“In accordance with the command given to Moses, "the first covenant had," &c. had--not "has," for as a covenant it no longer existed, though its rites were observed till the destruction of Jerusalem. ordinances--of divine right and institution. service--worship.”

A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place.

“It was carried in Vespasian's triumph, and the figure is to be seen on Titus' arch at Rome. The table of shittim wood, covered with gold, was for the showbread (Ex 25:23-30).”

Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,

“And--Greek, "But." after--behind; within. second veil--There were two veils or curtains, one before the Holy of Holies (catapetasma), here alluded to, the other before the tabernacle door (calumma). called--as opposed to "the true."”

containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant.

“In 1Ki 6:22, Hebrew, "the altar" is said to belong to the oracle, or holiest place (compare Ex 30:6). ark--of shittim wood, that is, acacia.”