Hebrews 7
Christian Standard Bible
The Greatness of Melchizedek
7 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham and blessed him as he returned from defeating the kings, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means king of righteousness, then also, king of Salem, meaning king of peace. 3 Without father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God,(A) he remains a priest forever.
4 Now consider how great this man was: even Abraham the patriarch(B) gave a tenth of the plunder to him. 5 The sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a command according to the law to collect a tenth from the people(C)—that is, from their brothers and sisters—though they have also descended from Abraham. 6 But one without this[a] lineage collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.(D) 7 Without a doubt, the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case, men who will die receive a tenth, but in the other case, Scripture testifies that he lives.(E) 9 And in a sense Levi himself, who receives a tenth, has paid a tenth through Abraham, 10 for he was still within his ancestor[b] when Melchizedek met him.
A Superior Priesthood
11 Now if perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the law(F)), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be according to the order of Melchizedek and not according to the order of Aaron?(G) 12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well. 13 For the one these things are spoken about belonged to a different tribe. No one from it has served at the altar. 14 Now it is evident that our Lord came from Judah,(H) and Moses said nothing about that tribe concerning priests.
15 And this becomes clearer if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 who did not become a priest based on a legal regulation about physical[c] descent but based on the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it has been testified:
18 So the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable(J) 19 (for the law perfected(K) nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.(L)
20 None of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath made by the one who said to him:
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.(N)
23 Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office. 24 But because he remains forever, he holds his priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede(O) for them.
26 For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.(P) 27 He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do—first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all time when he offered himself.(Q) 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promise of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son,(R) who has been perfected(S) forever.
Hebrews 7
Revised Geneva Translation
7 For this Melchizedek - King of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he returned from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
2 and to whom Abraham also gave a tithe of all things - is by first interpretation “King of Righteousness”, and after that “King of Salem” (that is, “King of Peace”);
3 without father or mother or family, having neither beginning of days nor end of life. But he is likened to the Son of God and continues as a priest forever.
4 Now consider how great this man was to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tithe of the spoils.
5 For indeed those who are the children of Levi (who receive the office of the priesthood) have a Commandment to take tithes from the people according to the Law (that is, from their brothers), though they came out of the loins of Abraham.
6 But the one whose family is not counted among them received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him who had the promises.
7 And without any dispute, the less is blessed by the greater.
8 And here, men who die receive tithes. But there, he who lives (about Whom it is witnessed).
9 And truth be told, Levi (who receives tithes) also paid tithes to Abraham.
10 For he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
11 Therefore, if perfection had been by the priesthood of the Levites (for under it the people received the Law) what further need was there for another priest to rise after the order of Melchizedek, and not to be called after the order of Aaron?
12 For if the priesthood is changed, then the Law must be changed.
13 For He of Whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man served at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing regarding the priesthood.
15 And it is even more evident because there has risen up another priest in the likeness of Melchizedek,
16 Who is made priest not after the Law of carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17 For He testifies, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
18 For indeed the preceding commandment is annulled because of its weakness and uselessness.
19 For the Law made nothing perfect, but rather the introduction of a better hope (by which we draw near to God).
20 And inasmuch as it is not without an oath (for these priests are made without an oath,
21 but this One was made with an oath by Him Who said to Him, “The Lord has sworn, and will not repent. You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”)
22 By so much has Jesus made a surety of a better Testament.
23 And many were made priests among them, because they were not allowed to endure by the reason of death.
24 But this Man, because He endures forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Therefore, He is also able to perfectly save those who come to God through Him (seeing He forever lives to make intercession for them).
26 For it was fitting for us to have such a High Priest: holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who does not need to offer up daily sacrifices (first for His own sins, and then for the people’s) as those High Priests. For He did that once and for all when He offered up Himself.
28 For the Law makes men (who have weakness) High Priests. But the Word of the oath (which came after the Law) makes the Son, Who is consecrated for evermore.
Hebrews 7
King James Version
7 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
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