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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;

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;

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.

Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

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:

But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

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.

The Greatness of Melchizedek

For this Melchizedek—

King of Salem, priest of the Most High God,
who met Abraham and blessed him
as he returned from defeating the kings,
and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything;
first, his name means king of righteousness,
then also, king of Salem,
meaning king of peace;
without father, mother, or genealogy,
having neither beginning of days nor end of life,
but resembling the Son of God(A)

remains a priest forever.

Now consider how great this man was—even Abraham the patriarch(B) gave a tenth of the plunder to him! 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—though they have also descended from Abraham.[a] But one without this[b] lineage collected tenths from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.(D) Without a doubt,[c] the inferior is blessed by the superior. In the one case, men who will die receive tenths, but in the other case, Scripture testifies that he lives.(E) And in a sense Levi himself, who receives tenths, has paid tenths through Abraham, 10 for he was still within his ancestor[d] when Melchizedek met him.

A Superior Priesthood

11 If then, perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law(F)), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in 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 command concerning physical[e] descent but based on the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it has been testified:

You are a priest forever
in the order of Melchizedek.(I)[f]

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:

The Lord has sworn,
and He will not change His mind,
You are a priest forever.(M)[g]

22 So 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 always able to save[h] 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 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.

Notas al pie

  1. Hebrews 7:5 Lit have come out of Abraham’s loins
  2. Hebrews 7:6 Lit their
  3. Hebrews 7:7 Or Beyond any dispute
  4. Hebrews 7:10 Lit still in his father’s loins
  5. Hebrews 7:16 Or fleshly
  6. Hebrews 7:17 Ps 110:4
  7. Hebrews 7:21 Ps 110:4
  8. Hebrews 7:25 Or He is able to save completely

Chapter 7

Melchizedek, a Type of Christ. [a]This “Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High,”[b] “met Abraham as he returned from his defeat of the kings” and “blessed him.”(A) [c]And Abraham apportioned to him “a tenth of everything.” His name first means righteous king, and he was also “king of Salem,” that is, king of peace. Without father, mother, or ancestry, without beginning of days or end of life,[d] thus made to resemble the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.(B)

[e]See how great he is to whom the patriarch “Abraham [indeed] gave a tenth” of his spoils.(C) The descendants of Levi who receive the office of priesthood have a commandment according to the law to exact tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, although they also have come from the loins of Abraham.(D) But he who was not of their ancestry received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had received the promises. Unquestionably, a lesser person is blessed by a greater.[f] In the one case, mortal men receive tithes; in the other, a man of whom it is testified that he lives on. One might even say that Levi[g] himself, who receives tithes, was tithed through Abraham, 10 for he was still in his father’s loins when Melchizedek met him.

11 [h]If, then, perfection came through the levitical priesthood, on the basis of which the people received the law, what need would there still have been for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not reckoned according to the order of Aaron?(E) 12 When there is a change of priesthood, there is necessarily a change of law as well. 13 Now he of whom these things are said[i] belonged to a different tribe, of which no member ever officiated at the altar. 14 It is clear that our Lord arose from Judah,[j] and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.(F) 15 [k]It is even more obvious if another priest is raised up after the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become so, not by a law expressed in a commandment concerning physical descent but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed.[l] 17 For it is testified:

“You are a priest forever
    according to the order of Melchizedek.”(G)

18 On the one hand, a former commandment is annulled because of its weakness and uselessness,(H) 19 for the law brought nothing to perfection; on the other hand, a better hope[m] is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 20 [n]And to the degree that this happened not without the taking of an oath[o]—for others became priests without an oath, 21 but he with an oath, through the one who said to him:

“The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent:(I)
    ‘You are a priest forever’”—

22 (J)to that same degree has Jesus [also] become the guarantee of an [even] better covenant.[p] 23 Those priests were many because they were prevented by death from remaining in office, 24 but he, because he remains forever, has a priesthood that does not pass away.(K) 25 [q]Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them.(L)

26 (M)It was fitting that we should have such a high priest:[r] holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens.[s] 27 He has no need, as did the high priests, to offer sacrifice day after day,[t](N) first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did that once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests, but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law, appoints a son, who has been made perfect forever.(O)

Notas al pie

  1. 7:1–3 Recalling the meeting between Melchizedek and Abraham described in Gn 14:17–20, the author enhances the significance of this priest by providing the popular etymological meaning of his name and that of the city over which he ruled (Hb 7:2). Since Genesis gives no information on the parentage or the death of Melchizedek, he is seen here as a type of Christ, representing a priesthood that is unique and eternal (Hb 7:3).
  2. 7:1 The author here assumes that Melchizedek was a priest of the God of Israel (cf. Gn 14:22 and the note there).
  3. 7:2 In Gn 14, the Hebrew text does not state explicitly who gave tithes to whom. The author of Hebrews supplies Abraham as the subject, according to a contemporary interpretation of the passage. This supports the argument of the midrash and makes it possible to see in Melchizedek a type of Jesus. The messianic blessings of righteousness and peace are foreshadowed in the names “Melchizedek” and “Salem.”
  4. 7:3 Without father, mother, or ancestry, without beginning of days or end of life: this is perhaps a quotation from a hymn about Melchizedek. The rabbis maintained that anything not mentioned in the Torah does not exist. Consequently, since the Old Testament nowhere mentions Melchizedek’s ancestry, birth, or death, the conclusion can be drawn that he remains…forever.
  5. 7:4–10 The tithe that Abraham gave to Melchizedek (Hb 7:4), a practice later followed by the levitical priesthood (Hb 7:5), was a gift (Hb 7:6) acknowledging a certain superiority in Melchizedek, the foreign priest (Hb 7:7). This is further indicated by the fact that the institution of the levitical priesthood was sustained by hereditary succession in the tribe of Levi, whereas the absence of any mention of Melchizedek’s death in Genesis implies that his personal priesthood is permanent (Hb 7:8). The levitical priesthood itself, through Abraham, its ancestor, paid tithes to Melchizedek, thus acknowledging the superiority of his priesthood over its own (Hb 7:9–10).
  6. 7:7 A lesser person is blessed by a greater: though this sounds like a principle, there are some examples in the Old Testament that do not support it (cf. 2 Sm 14:22; Jb 31:20). The author may intend it as a statement of a liturgical rule.
  7. 7:9 Levi: for the author this name designates not only the son of Jacob mentioned in Genesis but the priestly tribe that was thought to be descended from him.
  8. 7:11–14 The levitical priesthood was not typified by the priesthood of Melchizedek, for Ps 110:4 speaks of a priesthood of a new order, the order of Melchizedek, to arise in messianic times (Hb 7:11). Since the levitical priesthood served the Mosaic law, a new priesthood (Hb 7:12) would not come into being without a change in the law itself. Thus Jesus was not associated with the Old Testament priesthood, for he was a descendant of the tribe of Judah, which had never exercised the priesthood (Hb 7:13–14).
  9. 7:13 He of whom these things are said: Jesus, the priest “according to the order of Melchizedek.” According to the author’s interpretation, Ps 110 spoke prophetically of Jesus.
  10. 7:14 Judah: the author accepts the early Christian tradition that Jesus was descended from the family of David (cf. Mt 1:1–2, 16, 20; Lk 1:27; 2:4; Rom 1:3). The Qumran community expected two Messiahs, one descended from Aaron and one from David; Hebrews shows no awareness of this view or at least does not accept it. Our author’s view is not attested in contemporaneous Judaism.
  11. 7:15–19 Jesus does not exercise a priesthood through family lineage but through his immortal existence (Hb 7:15–16), fulfilling Ps 110:4 (Hb 7:17; cf. Hb 7:3). Thus he abolishes forever both the levitical priesthood and the law it serves, because neither could effectively sanctify people (Hb 7:18) by leading them into direct communication with God (Hb 7:19).
  12. 7:16 A life that cannot be destroyed: the life to which Jesus has attained by virtue of his resurrection; it is his exaltation rather than his divine nature that makes him priest. The Old Testament speaks of the Aaronic priesthood as eternal (see Ex 40:15); our author does not explicitly consider this possible objection to his argument but implicitly refutes it in Hb 7:23–24.
  13. 7:19 A better hope: this hope depends upon the sacrifice of the Son of God; through it we “approach the throne of grace” (Hb 4:16); cf. Hb 6:19, 20.
  14. 7:20–25 As was the case with the promise to Abraham (Hb 6:13), though not with the levitical priesthood, the eternal priesthood of the order of Melchizedek was confirmed by God’s oath (Hb 7:20–21); cf. Ps 110:4. Thus Jesus becomes the guarantee of a permanent covenant (Hb 7:22) that does not require a succession of priests as did the levitical priesthood (Hb 7:23) because his high priesthood is eternal and unchangeable (Hb 7:24). Consequently, Jesus is able to save all who draw near to God through him since he is their ever-living intercessor (Hb 7:25).
  15. 7:20 An oath: God’s oath in Ps 110:4.
  16. 7:22 An [even] better covenant: better than the Mosaic covenant because it will be eternal, like the priesthood of Jesus upon which it is based. Hb 7:12 argued that a change of priesthood involves a change of law; since “law” and “covenant” are used correlatively, a new covenant is likewise instituted.
  17. 7:25 To make intercession: the intercession of the exalted Jesus, not the sequel to his completed sacrifice but its eternal presence in heaven; cf. Rom 8:34.
  18. 7:26 This verse with its list of attributes is reminiscent of Hb 7:3 and is perhaps a hymnic counterpart to it, contrasting the exalted Jesus with Melchizedek.
  19. 7:26–28 Jesus is precisely the high priest whom the human race requires, holy and sinless, installed far above humanity (Hb 7:26); one having no need to offer sacrifice daily for sins but making a single offering of himself (Hb 7:27) once for all. The law could only appoint high priests with human limitations, but the fulfillment of God’s oath regarding the priesthood of Melchizedek (Ps 110:4) makes the Son of God the perfect priest forever (Hb 7:28).
  20. 7:27 Such daily sacrifice is nowhere mentioned in the Mosaic law; only on the Day of Atonement is it prescribed that the high priest must offer sacrifice…for his own sins and then for those of the people (Lv 16:11–19). Once for all: this translates the Greek words ephapax/hapax that occur eleven times in Hebrews.

For gar this houtos · ho Melchizedek Melchisedek, king basileus of Salem Salēm, priest hiereus of the ho Most High hypsistos God theos, · ho · ho met synantaō Abraham Abraam returning hypostrephō from apo the ho defeat kopē of the ho kings basileus and kai blessed eulogeō him autos, and kai to him hos Abraham Abraam alloted merizō a tenth part dekatos of apo everything pas. Translated hermēneuō, his name means first prōton, “ king basileus of righteousness dikaiosynē,” then epeita · de it also kai means, “ king basileus of Salem Salēm,” that hos is eimi, “ king basileus of peace eirēnē.” He is without father apatōr, without mother amētōr, without genealogy agenealogētos, having echō neither mēte beginning archē of days hēmera nor mēte end telos of life zōē; but de like aphomoioō the ho Son hyios of ho God theos he continues menō a priest hiereus for eis all ho time diēnekēs.

But de see theōreō how great pēlikos this houtos man was to whom hos · kai the ho patriarch patriarchēs Abraham Abraam gave didōmi a tithe dekatos of ek the ho finest plunder akrothinion. And kai those ho of ek the ho sons hyios of Levi Leui who receive lambanō the ho priestly office hierateia have echō a mandate entolē according to kata the ho law nomos to collect a tithe apodekatoō from the ho people laos, that houtos is eimi, from · ho their autos fellow countrymen adelphos, although kaiper they too come exerchomai from ek the ho loins osphys of Abraham Abraam. But de this ho man who does not trace genealogeō his descent from ek them autos received tithes from dekatoō Abraham Abraam and kai blessed eulogeō the ho one who had echō the ho promises epangelia. It is without chōris · de any pas dispute antilogia that the ho person of lesser status elassōn is blessed eulogeō by hypo the ho one of greater status kreittōn. · kai In the one case hōde, mortal apothnēskō men anthrōpos receive lambanō tithes dekatos, but de in the other case ekei, by one of whom it is testified martyreō that hoti he lives zaō. And kai it could be said hōs that Levi Leui himself, who ho receives lambanō tithes dekatos, paid tithes dekatoō through dia Abraham Abraam, · kai 10 for gar he was eimi still eti in en the ho loins osphys of his ho ancestor patēr when hote Melchizedek Melchisedek met synantaō Abraham autos.

11 If ei, then oun, perfection teleiōsis had been eimi attainable through dia the ho Levitical Leuitikos priesthood hierōsynē ( for gar under epi it autos the ho people laos had received the law nomotheteō), what tis further eti need chreia would there have been for another kind heteros of priest hiereus to arise anistēmi according to kata the ho order taxis of Melchizedek Melchisedek, · kai rather ou than one designated legō after kata the ho order taxis of Aaron Aarōn? 12 For gar whenever the ho priesthood hierōsynē is altered metatithēmi, there is ginomai necessarily ek anankē an alteration metathesis in nomos the law nomos as well kai. 13 For gar the one of epi whom hos these things houtos are said legō belongs to metechō a different heteros tribe phylē, from apo which hos no one oudeis has ever served prosechō at the ho altar thusiastērion. 14 For gar it is perfectly clear prodēlos that hoti our hēmeis Lord kyrios is descended anatellō from ek Judah Ioudas, · ho and in regard to eis that hos tribe phylē Moses Mōysēs said laleō nothing oudeis about peri priests hiereus. 15 And kai it is eimi even eti more perissoteros obvious katadēlos that if ei, according to kata the ho likeness homoiotēs of Melchizedek Melchisedek, another heteros priest hiereus arises anistēmi, 16 he hos does so not ou on the basis of kata a law nomos expressed ginomai in a carnal sarkinos commandment entolē, but alla on the basis of kata the power dynamis of an indestructible akatalytos life zōē. 17 For gar it is attested martyreō of him, “ You sy are a priest hiereus for eis all ho time aiōn, according to kata the ho order taxis of Melchizedek Melchisedek.”

18 For gar there is ginomai an annulment athetēsis of a former proagō commandment entolē because of dia · ho its autos weakness asthenēs and kai uselessness anōphelēs 19 ( for gar the ho law nomos made nothing oudeis perfect teleioō); but de the introduction epeisagōgē of a better kreittōn hope elpis through dia which hos we draw near engizō to ho God theos.

20 And kai since kata hosos this was not ou done without chōris an oath horkōmosia ( for gar others ho have eimi become ginomai priests hiereus without chōris an oath horkōmosia, 21 but de he ho became a priest with meta an oath horkōmosia by dia the ho one who said legō to pros him autos, “The Lord kyrios has sworn omnyō and kai will not ou change metamelomai his mind , ‘ You sy are a priest hiereus for eis all ho time aiōn’” 22 accordingly kata tosoutos Jesus Iēsous has become ginomai the guarantor engyos of a better kreittōn covenant diathēkē.

23 Now kai on the one hand men, these ho many polys have eimi become ginomai priests hiereus because dia they were hindered kōlyō by death thanatos from continuing in office paramenō, 24 but de on the other hand , Jesus ho, because dia he autos remains menō for eis all ho time aiōn, has echō a priesthood hierōsynē that is permanent aparabatos. · ho 25 Consequently hothen kai, he is able dynamai to save sōzō completely eis ho · ho those ho who draw near proserchomai to ho God theos through dia him autos, because he continually pantote lives zaō to eis intercede entynchanō for hyper them autos.

26 For gar such toioutos a high priest archiereus was appropriate prepō for us hēmeis, · kai one who is holy hosios, innocent akakos, undefiled amiantos; having been separated chōrizō from apo · ho sinners hamartōlos, · kai he became ginomai exalted hypsēlos above the ho heavens ouranos. 27 He hos has echō no ou need anankē to offer up anapherō daily kata hēmera sacrifices thusia, like hōsper those ho other high priests archiereus, first proteros for hyper · ho their own idios sins hamartia and then epeita for the ho sins of the ho people laos, for gar this houtos he did poieō once ephapax for all when he offered up anapherō himself heautou. 28 For gar the ho law nomos appoints kathistēmi men anthrōpos as high archiereus priests echō who have weaknesses astheneia, but de the ho word logos of the ho oath horkōmosia, which ho came later than meta the ho law nomos, appoints the Son hyios who has been made perfect teleioō for eis all ho time aiōn.

Now Observe How Great This Melchizedek Is

For this Melchizedek[a], king of Salem, priest of the Most-High God, remains[b] a priest perpetually[c]— the one having met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and having blessed him; to whom also Abraham divided a tenth from everything; who is first ([his name] being translated), king of righteousness; and then also king of Salem, which is[d] king of peace; fatherless, motherless, genealogy-less, having[e] neither a beginning of days nor an end of life, but having been made-like[f] the Son of God. Now observe how great this one is to whom indeed Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth from the choicest-spoils:

He Is Greater Than Abraham

Indeed, the ones from the sons of Levi receiving the priestly-office have a commandment to be collecting-a-tenth-from the people according to the Law (that is, from their brothers, even though their brothers have come-out of the loins of Abraham)— yet the one not tracing-his-genealogy from them has collected-a-tenth from Abraham, and has blessed the one having the promises! And apart from all dispute, the lesser one is blessed by the better one.

He Is Living As a Priest Perpetually

And here, dying men[g] receive the tenths— yet there, it is being attested[h] that he is living!

He Is Greater Than Levi And His Priesthood

And so to speak, through Abraham even Levi[i], the one receiving the tenths, has paid-a-tenth. 10 For he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him!

Now Why Did Another Priesthood Need To Arise After Aaron?

11 Now indeed, if perfection had been through the Levitical priesthood (for the [Jewish] people have received-the-Law on the basis of it) what further need would there have been that another priest should arise according to the order[j] of Melchizedek, and not be named according to the order of Aaron?

For This New Priesthood Also Brings a Change of Law

12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is[k] also a change of law.

For Its High Priest Is From The Tribe of Judah

13 For the One about Whom these[l] things are spoken has partaken of another tribe from which no one has attended-to the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord has risen from Judah— for which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.

And He Became High Priest Based On His Indestructible Life

15 And it is still even-more very-clear[m] if Another Priest arises in accordance with the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 Who has become such not based-on the law of a fleshy[n] commandment, but based on the power of an indestructible life! 17 For it is attested that “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” [Ps 110:4].

The New Sets Aside The Old And Brings In a Better Hope

18 For a setting-aside[o] of the preceding commandment takes place because of its weakness and unprofitableness 19 (for the Law perfected nothing)— and a bringing-in of a better hope through which we draw-near to God.

Jesus Is a Better Priest Because His Priesthood Is Based On God’s Oath

20 And[p] to the degree that it was not without an oath-swearing (for the ones have become[q] priests without an oath-swearing, 21 but the One with an oath-swearing, through the One saying to Him [in Ps 110:4]: “The Lord swore and He will not change-His-mind, You are a priest forever”)— 22 to that degree also Jesus has become the guarantee[r] of a better covenant.

Jesus Serves As High Priest Forever

23 And[s] the many have been [Levitical] priests because of their being prevented from continuing by death— 24 but the One, because of His remaining forever, has a permanent[t] priesthood. 25 Hence also, He is able to save completely[u] the ones coming-to God through Him, always living so as to intercede for them.

God’s Son Perfected Forever Is a Fitting High Priest For Us

26 For such a High Priest was indeed fitting for us— holy, innocent, undefiled, having been separated[v] from sinners, and having become higher than the heavens— 27 Who does not have the daily necessity (as indeed the high priests) to be offering sacrifices first for His own sins, then the sins of the people. For He did this once-for-all, having offered Himself. 28 For the Law appoints men having weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath-swearing after[w] the Law appoints a Son having been perfected forever.

Notas al pie

  1. Hebrews 7:1 The meaning of this man is explained by examining the two places he is mentioned in the OT, Gen 14:17-20 (in v 1-10) and Ps 110 (in v 11-28).
  2. Hebrews 7:1 remains a priest perpetually. In the Greek word order this phrase is at the end of v 3, placing emphasis on it.
  3. Hebrews 7:1 Or, continually, and in this sense, for all time, forever.
  4. Hebrews 7:2 That is, means.
  5. Hebrews 7:3 That is, in the OT record.
  6. Hebrews 7:3 Or, made-to-resemble, copied-from. He is made to appear as a prefigurement of Christ.
  7. Hebrews 7:8 That is, Levitical priests, who all eventually die.
  8. Hebrews 7:8 That is, because Genesis records no end of life, v 3.
  9. Hebrews 7:9 Thus, the entire Levitical priesthood is inferior to the priesthood of Melchizedek.
  10. Hebrews 7:11 This new priestly order is mentioned in Ps 110, long after the establishment of the Levitical priesthood. This implies that the Levitical priesthood was imperfect and temporary.
  11. Hebrews 7:12 Or, occurs.
  12. Hebrews 7:13 That is, Ps 110:4.
  13. Hebrews 7:15 That is, that there is a change of law.
  14. Hebrews 7:16 That is, a law pertaining to the flesh, to the candidate’s physical lineage.
  15. Hebrews 7:18 Or, annulment, abolishment, abrogation. The conclusion is that Ps 110 predicts a new High Priest in a new priesthood, which requires a new law. This means the old is set aside and the new brought in by Jesus.
  16. Hebrews 7:20 Now an inference is drawn from ‘swore’ in Ps 110.
  17. Hebrews 7:20 The grammar implies have become and continue to be.
  18. Hebrews 7:22 Or, pledge, security.
  19. Hebrews 7:23 Now an inference is drawn from ‘forever’ in Ps 110.
  20. Hebrews 7:24 Or, unchangeable. It does not pass to another.
  21. Hebrews 7:25 That is, in contrast to the Law, which perfected nothing. Or, forever.
  22. Hebrews 7:26 That is, in character, taking this with what precedes; or, physically, to heaven, taking it with what follows.
  23. Hebrews 7:28 That is, written after, in Ps 110.