Hebrewschapter 7

A.Melchizedek: King, Priest, Without Genealogyvv. 1-10

1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without 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. 4 Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder. 5 Now 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. 6 But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In the case of the Levites, mortal men collect the tenth; but in the case of Melchizedek, it is affirmed that he lives on. 9 And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham. 10 For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.

B.A New Priesthood Requires a New Lawvv. 11-19

11 Now 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? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” 18 So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

C.Sworn With an Oath, Able to Save to the Uttermostvv. 20-28

20 And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, 21 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.’” 22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. 23 Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. 24 But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. 26 Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike 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. 28 For 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.

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Chapter summary

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Melchizedek at last: king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and received tithes: King of righteousness, King of peace, 'without father, without mother, without genealogy,' made like unto the Son of God, abiding a priest continually (7:3). Levi, still in Abraham's loins, paid tithes to him. A change of priesthood requires a change of law, and this priest rises from Judah, 'after the power of an endless life.' Because he abides for ever, 'he is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them' (7:25).

Drawn from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory, Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary, John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament and John Calvin, Commentaries.

Context

Epistle · Unknown — Hebrews overview

A. 1–10 Melchizedek: King, Priest, Without Genealogy
B. 11–19 A New Priesthood Requires a New Law
C. 20–28 Sworn With an Oath, Able to Save to the Uttermost

Top cross-references8 chapters ▾

Hebrews 77 verses
- Hebrews 7:3Without 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.
- Hebrews 7:11Now 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?
- Hebrews 7:14For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.
- Hebrews 7:17For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
- Hebrews 7:21but 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.’”
- Hebrews 7:23Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.
- Read Hebrews 7: 1 more there →
Hebrews 94 verses
- Hebrews 9:9It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper.
- Hebrews 9:12He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.
- Hebrews 9:14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!
- Hebrews 9:28so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.
- Read Hebrews 9 →
Hebrews 62 verses
- Hebrews 6:16Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument.
- Hebrews 6:20where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
- Read Hebrews 6 →
Genesis 142 verses
- Genesis 14:18Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High—
- Genesis 14:20and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.
- Read Genesis 14 →

4 more chapters this one speaks with

Hebrews 82 verses
- Hebrews 8:6Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises.
- Hebrews 8:7For if that first covenant had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second.
- Read Hebrews 8 →
Galatians 42 verses
- Galatians 4:3So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world.
- Galatians 4:9But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
- Read Galatians 4 →
Romans 82 verses
- Romans 8:3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,
- Romans 8:34Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.
- Read Romans 8 →
Hebrews 42 verses
- Hebrews 4:14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess.
- Hebrews 4:16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
- Read Hebrews 4 →

Cross-references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and OpenBible.info.