Hebrews 7
New English Translation
The Nature of Melchizedek’s Priesthood
7 Now this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him.[a] 2 To him[b] also Abraham apportioned a tithe[c] of everything.[d] His name first means[e] king of righteousness, then king of Salem,[f] that is, king of peace. 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, he has neither beginning of days nor end of life but is like the son of God, and he remains a priest for all time. 4 But see how great he must be, if[g] Abraham the patriarch gave him a tithe[h] of his plunder. 5 And those of the sons of Levi who receive the priestly office[i] have authorization according to the law to collect a tithe from the people, that is, from their fellow countrymen,[j] although they too are descendants of Abraham.[k] 6 But Melchizedek[l] who does not share their ancestry[m] collected a tithe[n] from Abraham and blessed[o] the one who possessed the promise. 7 Now without dispute the inferior is blessed by the superior, 8 and in one case tithes are received by mortal men, while in the other by him who is affirmed to be alive. 9 And it could be said that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid a tithe through Abraham. 10 For he was still in his ancestor Abraham’s loins[p] when Melchizedek met him.
Jesus and the Priesthood of Melchizedek
11 So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthood—for on that basis[q] the people received the law—what further need would there have been for another priest to arise, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in Aaron’s order? 12 For when the priesthood changes, a change in the law must come[r] as well. 13 Yet the one these things are spoken about belongs to[s] a different tribe, and no one from that tribe[t] has ever officiated at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord is descended from Judah, yet Moses said nothing about priests in connection with that tribe. 15 And this is even clearer if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest not by a legal regulation about physical descent[u] but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For here is the testimony about him:[v] “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”[w] 18 On the one hand a former command is set aside[x] because it is weak and useless,[y] 19 for the law made nothing perfect. On the other hand a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 20 And since[z] this was not done without a sworn affirmation—for the others have become priests without a sworn affirmation, 21 but Jesus[aa] did so[ab] with a sworn affirmation by the one who said to him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever’”[ac]— 22 accordingly Jesus has become the guarantee[ad] of a better covenant. 23 And the others[ae] who became priests were numerous, because death prevented them[af] from continuing in office,[ag] 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently since he lives forever. 25 So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 26 For it is indeed fitting for us to have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need to do every day what those priests do, to offer sacrifices first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people, since he did this in offering himself once for all. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men subject to weakness,[ah] but the word of solemn affirmation that came after the law appoints a son made perfect forever.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 7:1 sn A series of quotations from Gen 14:17-19.
- Hebrews 7:2 tn Grk “to whom,” continuing the description of Melchizedek. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
- Hebrews 7:2 tn Or “a tenth part.”
- Hebrews 7:2 sn A quotation from Gen 14:20.
- Hebrews 7:2 tn Grk “first being interpreted,” describing Melchizedek.
- Hebrews 7:2 sn These words are repeated from the quotation of Gen 14:18 in the previous verse.
- Hebrews 7:4 tn Grk “to whom.”
- Hebrews 7:4 tn Or “a tenth part.”
- Hebrews 7:5 tn Or “the priesthood.”
- Hebrews 7:5 tn Grk “from their brothers.” See BDAG 18-19 s.v. ἀδελφός 2.b.
- Hebrews 7:5 tn Grk “have come from the loins of Abraham.”
- Hebrews 7:6 tn Grk “the one”; in the translation the referent (Melchizedek) has been specified for clarity.
- Hebrews 7:6 tn Grk “is not descended from them.”
- Hebrews 7:6 tn Or “a tenth part.”
- Hebrews 7:6 sn The verbs “collected…and blessed” emphasize the continuing effect of the past actions, i.e., Melchizedek’s importance.
- Hebrews 7:10 tn Grk “in the loins of his father” (a reference to Abraham). The name “Abraham” has been repeated in the translation at this point (cf. v. 9) in order to clarify the referent (i.e., what ancestor was in view).sn The point of the phrase still in his ancestor’s loins is that Levi was as yet unborn, still in his ancestor Abraham’s body. Thus Levi participated in Abraham’s action when Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek.
- Hebrews 7:11 tn Grk “based on it.”
- Hebrews 7:12 tn Grk “of necessity a change in the law comes to pass.”
- Hebrews 7:13 tn Grk “shares in.”
- Hebrews 7:13 tn Grk “from which no one.”
- Hebrews 7:16 tn Grk “a law of a fleshly command.”
- Hebrews 7:17 tn Grk “for he/it is witnessed that.”
- Hebrews 7:17 sn A quotation from Ps 110:4 (see Heb 5:6 and 6:20).
- Hebrews 7:18 tn Grk “the setting aside of a former command comes to pass.”
- Hebrews 7:18 tn Grk “because of its weakness and uselessness.”
- Hebrews 7:20 sn The Greek text contains an elaborate comparison between v. 20a and v. 22, with a parenthesis (vv. 20b-21) in between; the comparison is literally, “by as much as…by so much” or “to the degree that…to that same degree.”
- Hebrews 7:21 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Hebrews 7:21 tn The words “did so” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.
- Hebrews 7:21 sn A quotation from Ps 110:4 (see Heb 5:6; 6:20, and 7:17).
- Hebrews 7:22 tn Or “surety.”
- Hebrews 7:23 tn Grk “they on the one hand” in contrast with “he on the other hand” in v. 24.
- Hebrews 7:23 tn Grk “they were prevented by death.”
- Hebrews 7:23 tn Grk “from continuing” (the words “in office” are supplied for clarity).
- Hebrews 7:28 sn See Heb 5:2 where this concept was introduced.
希伯来书 7
Chinese Union Version Modern Punctuation (Simplified)
麦基洗德为祭司与神的儿子相似
7 这麦基洗德就是撒冷王，又是至高神的祭司，本是长远为祭司的。他当亚伯拉罕杀败诸王回来的时候，就迎接他，给他祝福。 2 亚伯拉罕也将自己所得来的，取十分之一给他。他头一个名翻出来就是“仁义王”，他又名“撒冷王”，就是“平安王”的意思。 3 他无父、无母、无族谱，无生之始，无命之终，乃是与神的儿子相似。
4 你们想一想，先祖亚伯拉罕将自己所掳来上等之物取十分之一给他，这人是何等尊贵呢！ 5 那得祭司职任的利未子孙，领命照例向百姓取十分之一；这百姓是自己的弟兄，虽是从亚伯拉罕身[a]中生的，还是照例取十分之一。 6 独有麦基洗德，不与他们同谱，倒收纳亚伯拉罕的十分之一，为那蒙应许的亚伯拉罕祝福。 7 从来位分大的给位分小的祝福，这是驳不倒的理。 8 在这里收十分之一的都是必死的人，但在那里收十分之一的，有为他作见证的说他是活的。 9 并且可说那受十分之一的利未，也是借着亚伯拉罕纳了十分之一， 10 因为麦基洗德迎接亚伯拉罕的时候，利未已经在他先祖的身[b]中。
11 从前百姓在利未人祭司职任以下受律法，倘若借这职任能得完全，又何用另外兴起一位祭司，照麦基洗德的等次，不照亚伦的等次呢？ 12 祭司的职任既已更改，律法也必须更改。 13 因为这话所指的人本属别的支派，那支派里从来没有一人伺候祭坛。 14 我们的主分明是从犹大出来的，但这支派，摩西并没有提到祭司。 15 倘若照麦基洗德的样式，另外兴起一位祭司来，我的话更是显而易见的了。 16 他成为祭司，并不是照属肉体的条例，乃是照无穷[c]之生命的大能； 17 因为有给他作见证的说：“你是照着麦基洗德的等次永远为祭司。” 18 先前的条例因软弱无益，所以废掉了—— 19 律法原来一无所成——就引进了更美的指望，靠这指望，我们便可以进到神面前。
耶稣长远活着替人祈求
20 再者，耶稣为祭司，并不是不起誓立的。 21 至于那些祭司，原不是起誓立的，只有耶稣是起誓立的，因为那立他的对他说：“主起了誓，决不后悔，你是永远为祭司。” 22 既是起誓立的，耶稣就做了更美之约的中保。 23 那些成为祭司的，数目本来多，是因为有死阻隔，不能长久。 24 这位既是永远常存的，他祭司的职任就长久不更换。 25 凡靠着他进到神面前的人，他都能拯救到底，因为他是长远活着，替他们祈求。
26 像这样圣洁、无邪恶、无玷污、远离罪人、高过诸天的大祭司，原是于我们合宜的。 27 他不像那些大祭司，每日必须先为自己的罪，后为百姓的罪献祭；因为他只一次将自己献上，就把这事成全了。 28 律法本是立软弱的人为大祭司，但在律法以后起誓的话，是立儿子为大祭司，乃是成全到永远的。
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.
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, 2 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,” 3 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.
4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the [a]spoils. 5 And 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; 6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham (D)and blessed (E)him who had the promises. 7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. 8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, (F)of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 9 Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, 10 for 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? 12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has [b]officiated at the altar.
14 For it is evident that (I)our Lord arose from (J)Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning [c]priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For [d]He testifies:
(K)“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”
18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of (L)its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for (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
20 And 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’ ”),
22 by so much more Jesus has become a [g]surety of a (Q)better covenant.
23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore 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.
26 For 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; 27 who 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. 28 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.
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
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
