Genesis 14:18-23

New King James Version

Abram and Melchizedek^(A)

¹⁸Then ^(B)Melchizedek king of Salem brought out ^(C)bread and wine; he was ^(D)the priest of ^(E)God Most High. ¹⁹And he blessed him and said:

^(F)“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
^(G)Possessor of heaven and earth;
²⁰And ^(H)blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”

And he ^(I)gave him ^[a]a tithe of all.

²¹Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the ^[b]persons, and take the goods for yourself.”

²²But Abram ^(J)said to the king of Sodom, “I ^(K)have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, ^(L)the Possessor of heaven and earth, ²³that ^(M)I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’—

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Footnotes

Genesis 14:20 one-tenth
Genesis 14:21 Lit. souls

Genesis 14:18-23

New International Version

¹⁸Then Melchizedek^(A) king of Salem^(B) brought out bread^(C) and wine.^(D) He was priest of God Most High,^(E) ¹⁹and he blessed Abram,^(F) saying,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,^(G)
Creator of heaven and earth.^(H)
²⁰And praise be to God Most High,^(I)
who delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.^(J)

²¹The king of Sodom^(K) said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods^(L) for yourself.”

²²But Abram said to the king of Sodom,^(M) “With raised hand^(N) I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High,^(O) Creator of heaven and earth,^(P) ²³that I will accept nothing belonging to you,^(Q) not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’

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Psalm 110

New King James Version

Announcement of the Messiah’s Reign^(A)

A Psalm of David.

110 The ^(B)Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your ^(C)footstool.”
²The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength ^(D)out of Zion.
^(E)Rule in the midst of Your enemies!

³^(F)Your people shall be volunteers
In the day of Your power;
^(G)In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning,
You have the dew of Your youth.
⁴The Lord has sworn
And ^(H)will not relent,
“You are a ^(I)priest forever
According to the order of ^(J)Melchizedek.”

⁵The Lord is ^(K)at Your right hand;
He shall ^[a]execute kings ^(L)in the day of His wrath.
⁶He shall judge among the nations,
He shall fill the places with dead bodies,
^(M)He shall ^[b]execute the heads of many countries.
⁷He shall drink of the brook by the wayside;
^(N)Therefore He shall lift up the head.

Footnotes

Psalm 110:5 Lit. break kings in pieces
Psalm 110:6 Lit. break in pieces

Psalm 110

New International Version

Psalm 110

Of David. A psalm.

¹The Lord says^(A) to my lord:^[a]

“Sit at my right hand^(B)
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”^(C)

²The Lord will extend your mighty scepter^(D) from Zion,^(E) saying,
    “Rule^(F) in the midst of your enemies!”
³Your troops will be willing
    on your day of battle.
Arrayed in holy splendor,^(G)
    your young men will come to you
    like dew from the morning’s womb.^[b]^(H)

⁴The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind:^(I)
“You are a priest forever,^(J)
in the order of Melchizedek.^(K)”

⁵The Lord is at your right hand^[c];^(L)
    he will crush kings^(M) on the day of his wrath.^(N)
⁶He will judge the nations,^(O) heaping up the dead^(P)
    and crushing the rulers^(Q) of the whole earth.
⁷He will drink from a brook along the way,^[d]
    and so he will lift his head high.^(R)

Footnotes

Psalm 110:1 Or Lord
Psalm 110:3 The meaning of the Hebrew for this sentence is uncertain.
Psalm 110:5 Or My lord is at your right hand, Lord
Psalm 110:7 The meaning of the Hebrew for this clause is uncertain.

Hebrews 5:1-10

New King James Version

Qualifications for High Priesthood

5 For every high priest taken from among men ^(A)is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. ²He can ^[a]have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to ^(B)weakness. ³Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for ^(C)himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. ⁴And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as ^(D)Aaron was.

A Priest Forever

⁵^(E)So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:

^(F)“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.”

⁶As He also says in another place:

^(G)“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek”;

⁷who, in the days of His flesh, when He had ^(H)offered up prayers and supplications, ^(I)with vehement cries and tears to Him ^(J)who was able to save Him from death, and was heard ^(K)because of His godly fear, ⁸though He was a Son, yet He learned ^(L)obedience by the things which He suffered. ⁹And ^(M)having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, ¹⁰called by God as High Priest ^(N)“according to the order of Melchizedek,”

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Footnotes

Hebrews 5:2 deal gently with

Hebrews 5:1-10

New International Version

5 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God,^(A) to offer gifts and sacrifices^(B) for sins.^(C) ²He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray,^(D) since he himself is subject to weakness.^(E) ³This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.^(F) ⁴And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.^(G)

⁵In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory^(H) of becoming a high priest.^(I) But God said^(J) to him,

“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.”^[a]^(K)

⁶And he says in another place,

“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.^(L)”^[b]^(M)

⁷During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions^(N) with fervent cries and tears^(O) to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard^(P) because of his reverent submission.^(Q) ⁸Son^(R) though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered^(S) ⁹and, once made perfect,^(T) he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him ¹⁰and was designated by God to be high priest^(U) in the order of Melchizedek.^(V)

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Footnotes

Hebrews 5:5 Psalm 2:7
Hebrews 5:6 Psalm 110:4

Hebrews 6:13-20

New King James Version

God’s Infallible Purpose in Christ

¹³For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, ^(A)He swore by Himself, ¹⁴saying, ^(B)“Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” ¹⁵And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the ^(C)promise. ¹⁶For men indeed swear by the greater, and ^(D)an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. ¹⁷Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to ^(E)the heirs of promise ^(F)the ^[a]immutability of His counsel, ^[b]confirmed it by an oath, ¹⁸that by two ^[c]immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to ^(G)lie, we ^[d]might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope ^(H)set before us.

¹⁹This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, ^(I)and which enters the Presence behind the veil, ²⁰^(J)where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, ^(K)having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

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Footnotes

Hebrews 6:17 unchangeableness of His purpose
Hebrews 6:17 guaranteed
Hebrews 6:18 unchangeable
Hebrews 6:18 M omits might

Hebrews 6:13-20

New International Version

The Certainty of God’s Promise

¹³When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,^(A) ¹⁴saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”^[a]^(B) ¹⁵And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.^(C)

¹⁶People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.^(D) ¹⁷Because God wanted to make the unchanging^(E) nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,^(F) he confirmed it with an oath. ¹⁸God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie,^(G) we who have fled to take hold of the hope^(H) set before us may be greatly encouraged. ¹⁹We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,^(I) ²⁰where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.^(J) He has become a high priest^(K) forever, in the order of Melchizedek.^(L)

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Footnotes

Hebrews 6:14 Gen. 22:17

Hebrews 7

New King James Version

The King of Righteousness^(A)

7 For this ^(B)Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, ²to 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,” ³without 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.

⁴Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the ^[a]spoils. ⁵And indeed ^(C)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; ⁶but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham ^(D)and blessed ^(E)him who had the promises. ⁷Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. ⁸Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, ^(F)of whom it is witnessed that he lives. ⁹Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, ¹⁰for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

Need for a New Priesthood^(G)

¹¹^(H)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 rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? ¹²For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. ¹³For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has ^[b]officiated at the altar.

¹⁴For it is evident that ^(I)our Lord arose from ^(J)Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning ^[c]priesthood. ¹⁵And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest ¹⁶who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. ¹⁷For ^[d]He testifies:

^(K)“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”

¹⁸For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of ^(L)its weakness and unprofitableness, ¹⁹for ^(M)the law made nothing ^[e]perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of ^(N)a better hope, through which ^(O)we draw near to God.

Greatness of the New Priest

²⁰And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath ²¹(for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him:

^(P)“The Lord has sworn
And will not relent,
‘You are a priest ^[f]forever
According to the order of Melchizedek’ ”),

²²by so much more Jesus has become a ^[g]surety of a ^(Q)better covenant.

²³Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. ²⁴But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. ²⁵Therefore He is also ^(R)able to save ^[h]to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives ^(S)to make intercession for them.

²⁶For such a High Priest was fitting for us, ^(T)who is holy, ^[i]harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, ^(U)and has become higher than the heavens; ²⁷who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His ^(V)own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. ²⁸For 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.

Footnotes

Hebrews 7:4 plunder
Hebrews 7:13 served
Hebrews 7:14 NU priests
Hebrews 7:17 NU it is testified
Hebrews 7:19 complete
Hebrews 7:21 NU ends the quotation after forever.
Hebrews 7:22 guarantee
Hebrews 7:25 completely or forever
Hebrews 7:26 innocent

Hebrews 7

New International Version

Melchizedek the Priest

7 This Melchizedek was king of Salem^(A) and priest of God Most High.^(B) He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him,^(C) ²and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” ³Without father or mother, without genealogy,^(D) without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God,^(E) he remains a priest forever.

⁴Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch^(F) Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!^(G) ⁵Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people^(H)—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. ⁶This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed^(I) him who had the promises.^(J) ⁷And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. ⁸In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.^(K) ⁹One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, ¹⁰because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

Jesus Like Melchizedek

¹¹If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people^(L) established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come,^(M) one in the order of Melchizedek,^(N) not in the order of Aaron? ¹²For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. ¹³He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe,^(O) and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar.^(P) ¹⁴For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah,^(Q) and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. ¹⁵And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, ¹⁶one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. ¹⁷For it is declared:

“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”^[a]^(R)

¹⁸The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless^(S) ¹⁹(for the law made nothing perfect),^(T) and a better hope^(U) is introduced, by which we draw near to God.^(V)

²⁰And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, ²¹but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:

“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind:^(W)
‘You are a priest forever.’”^[b]^(X)

²²Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.^(Y)

²³Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; ²⁴but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.^(Z) ²⁵Therefore he is able to save^(AA) completely^[c] those who come to God^(AB) through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.^(AC)

²⁶Such a high priest^(AD) truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners,^(AE) exalted above the heavens.^(AF) ²⁷Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices^(AG) day after day, first for his own sins,^(AH) and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all^(AI) when he offered himself.^(AJ) ²⁸For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness;^(AK) but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son,^(AL) who has been made perfect^(AM) forever.

Footnotes

Hebrews 7:17 Psalm 110:4
Hebrews 7:21 Psalm 110:4
Hebrews 7:25 Or forever

Genesis 14:18-23 New King James Version

Abram and Melchizedek(A)

Footnotes

Cross references

Genesis 14:18-23 New International Version

Cross references

Psalm 110 New King James Version

Announcement of the Messiah’s Reign(A)

A Psalm of David.

Footnotes

Cross references

Psalm 110 New International Version

Psalm 110

Of David. A psalm.

Footnotes

Cross references

Hebrews 5:1-10 New King James Version

Qualifications for High Priesthood

A Priest Forever

Footnotes

Cross references

Hebrews 5:1-10 New International Version

Footnotes

Cross references

Hebrews 6:13-20 New King James Version

God’s Infallible Purpose in Christ

Footnotes

Cross references

Hebrews 6:13-20 New International Version

The Certainty of God’s Promise

Footnotes

Cross references

Hebrews 7 New King James Version

The King of Righteousness(A)

Need for a New Priesthood(G)

Greatness of the New Priest

Footnotes

Cross references

Hebrews 7 New International Version

Melchizedek the Priest

Jesus Like Melchizedek

Footnotes

Cross references

More on the NIV

Genesis 14:18-23

New King James Version

Abram and Melchizedek^(A)

Genesis 14:18-23

New International Version

Psalm 110

New King James Version

Announcement of the Messiah’s Reign^(A)

Psalm 110

New International Version

Hebrews 5:1-10

New King James Version

Hebrews 5:1-10

New International Version

Hebrews 6:13-20

New King James Version

Hebrews 6:13-20

New International Version

Hebrews 7

New King James Version

The King of Righteousness^(A)

Need for a New Priesthood^(G)

Hebrews 7

New International Version