Hebrews 7

Hebrews 7 delves into the priesthood of Melchizedek, presenting him as a figure superior to the Levitical priests and a typology for Christ's eternal priesthood. This chapter argues that Jesus, like Melchizedek, is a priest not by genealogical descent but by the power of an indestructible life, marking a new covenant and a better hope for believers.

Hebrews 7:1-2 (NKJV)
For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,”

Melchizedek is introduced as both a king and a priest, uniquely holding dual roles, paralleling Jesus who later fulfills the same roles in a superior form. His meeting with Abraham, who gave him a tenth of the spoils, underscores his great status, higher than that of the patriarchs, indicating a priesthood greater than the Levitical order.

Hebrews 7:3 (NKJV)
Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

The description of Melchizedek as having no recorded lineage or life timeline symbolically aligns him with Christ, whose priesthood is eternal. This verse emphasizes the timeless and perpetual nature of Christ's priesthood, unlike the Levitical priests whose service was interrupted by death.

Hebrews 7:4 (NKJV)
Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.

This verse highlights Melchizedek's greatness, evidenced by Abraham's tithing to him, a gesture of respect and acknowledgment of Melchizedek's higher spiritual status and authority.

Hebrews 7:5-6 (NKJV)
And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.

These verses contrast the Levitical priests, who by law received tithes from their Israelite brethren, with Melchizedek, who received tithes from Abraham despite not being his descendant. This distinction underscores the superior and divine endorsement of Melchizedek’s priesthood, prefiguring Christ's superior and universal priesthood.

Hebrews 7:7 (NKJV)
Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better.

This succinct statement encapsulates a key principle: the act of blessing by Melchizedek, who is superior, to Abraham, indicates the greater authority and status of Melchizedek's priesthood over Abraham and, by extension, the Levitical priesthood.

Hebrews 7:8-10 (NKJV)
Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

The author contrasts the mortality of the Levitical priests who receive tithes with the enduring life of Melchizedek, suggesting a parallel to the eternal priesthood of Christ. The notion that Levi, the ancestor of the priestly tribe, effectively paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham, argues that Melchizedek's priesthood is foundational and superior, predating and thus superseding the Levitical order.

Hebrews 7:11 (NKJV)
Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?

This verse challenges the completeness of the Levitical priesthood by questioning its ability to bring perfection, which the law could not accomplish. The arising of a new priest, Jesus, in the order of Melchizedek rather than Aaron, signifies a necessary shift to a more perfect and effective priesthood, able to accomplish what the law and Levitical priests could not.

Hebrews 7:12 (NKJV)
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

The change in priesthood from the Levitical to that of Melchizedek (Christ) necessitates a corresponding change in the law. This highlights the interconnectedness of the priesthood and the law, implying that a transformation in one inherently leads to alterations in the other, pointing to the new covenant established through Christ.

Hebrews 7:13-14 (NKJV)
For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

These verses point out that Jesus came from the tribe of Judah, not Levi, which had no traditional claim to the priesthood under the old covenant. This underlines the revolutionary nature of Jesus' priesthood, not bound by the tribal or legal norms of the old covenant but established by the power and decree of God as prophesied.

Hebrews 7:15-17 (NKJV)
And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. For He testifies: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

These verses affirm that the new priest, Christ, resembles Melchizedek not by earthly lineage but through the power of an eternal, indestructible life. This priestly appointment is underscored by a divine declaration, setting it apart from the temporal and genealogy-based Levitical priesthood, emphasizing the eternal and unchangeable nature of Christ’s priesthood.

Hebrews 7:18-19 (NKJV)
For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

This passage highlights the transition from the old covenant, characterized by its inability to bring spiritual perfection, to a new covenant that offers a better hope. The old commandments are annulled due to their ineffectiveness in perfecting the conscience of the worshiper, setting the stage for a superior covenant through Christ that enables a closer relationship with God.

Hebrews 7:20-22 (NKJV)
And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek’”), by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

The distinction of Jesus’ priesthood is emphasized by the oath God took when appointing Him, contrasting with the Levitical priests who received no such divine oath. This solemn divine promise assures the permanence and superiority of Jesus' priesthood and guarantees the better covenant He mediates.

Hebrews 7:23-25 (NKJV)
Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Unlike the Levitical priests who were limited by mortality, Jesus' priesthood is eternal, allowing Him to perpetually intercede for humanity. This ongoing intercession provides believers with a continuous source of salvation and support, ensuring that Jesus can completely save those who approach God through Him.

Hebrews 7:26-28 (NKJV)
For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for He did this once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

These concluding verses of the chapter present Jesus as the ideal High Priest, perfectly holy and separated from sin, transcending the human limitations of previous priests. Unlike Levitical priests who needed to make daily sacrifices for sins—including their own—Jesus offered a once-for-all sacrifice by offering Himself. This act, coupled with His divine appointment confirmed by an oath, establishes Him as the perfect and eternal mediator of the new covenant, continually effective and unmatched in its capacity to reconcile humanity with God.