Melchizedek the Priest

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) and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without 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.

Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch(F) Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!(G) Now 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. This 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) And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. In 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) One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

Jesus Like Melchizedek

11 If 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? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He 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) 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah,(Q) and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one 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. 17 For it is declared:

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

18 The 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)

20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but 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)

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

23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.(Z) 25 Therefore 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)

26 Such a high priest(AD) truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners,(AE) exalted above the heavens.(AF) 27 Unlike 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) 28 For 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

  1. Hebrews 7:17 Psalm 110:4
  2. Hebrews 7:21 Psalm 110:4
  3. Hebrews 7:25 Or forever

Melchizedek Is Greater Than Abraham

This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against the kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “king of justice,” and king of Salem means “king of peace.” There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors—no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God.

Consider then how great this Melchizedek was. Even Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, recognized this by giving him a tenth of what he had taken in battle. Now the law of Moses required that the priests, who are descendants of Levi, must collect a tithe from the rest of the people of Israel,[a] who are also descendants of Abraham. But Melchizedek, who was not a descendant of Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham. And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon Abraham, the one who had already received the promises of God. And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed.

The priests who collect tithes are men who die, so Melchizedek is greater than they are, because we are told that he lives on. In addition, we might even say that these Levites—the ones who collect the tithe—paid a tithe to Melchizedek when their ancestor Abraham paid a tithe to him. 10 For although Levi wasn’t born yet, the seed from which he came was in Abraham’s body when Melchizedek collected the tithe from him.

11 So if the priesthood of Levi, on which the law was based, could have achieved the perfection God intended, why did God need to establish a different priesthood, with a priest in the order of Melchizedek instead of the order of Levi and Aaron?[b]

12 And if the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed to permit it. 13 For the priest we are talking about belongs to a different tribe, whose members have never served at the altar as priests. 14 What I mean is, our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, and Moses never mentioned priests coming from that tribe.

Jesus Is like Melchizedek

15 This change has been made very clear since a different priest, who is like Melchizedek, has appeared. 16 Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. 17 And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied,

“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”[c]

18 Yes, the old requirement about the priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless. 19 For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

20 This new system was established with a solemn oath. Aaron’s descendants became priests without such an oath, 21 but there was an oath regarding Jesus. For God said to him,

“The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow:
    ‘You are a priest forever.’”[d]

22 Because of this oath, Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God.

23 There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. 24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save[e] those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

26 He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.[f] 27 Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. 28 The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever.

Footnotes

  1. 7:5 Greek from their brothers.
  2. 7:11 Greek the order of Aaron?
  3. 7:17 Ps 110:4.
  4. 7:21 Ps 110:4.
  5. 7:25 Or is able to save completely.
  6. 7:26 Or has been exalted higher than the heavens.

Melchizedek’s Priesthood like Christ’s

For this (A)Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the (B)Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. Without father, without mother, (C)without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like (D)the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the (E)patriarch, (F)gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. And those indeed of (G)the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment [a]in the Law to collect [b]a tenth from the people, that is, from their countrymen, although they [c]are descended from Abraham. But the one (H)whose genealogy is not traced from them (I)collected [d]a tenth from Abraham and [e](J)blessed the one who (K)had the promises. But without any dispute the lesser person is blessed by the greater. In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, (L)of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, has paid tithes, 10 for he was still in the loins of his [f]forefather when Melchizedek met him.

11 (M)So if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it (N)the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise (O)according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. 13 For (P)the one about whom (Q)these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord [g]was (R)descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses said nothing concerning priests. 15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest not on the basis of a law of [h](S)physical requirement, but according to the power of (T)an indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of Him,

(U)You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”

18 For, on the one hand, there is the nullification of a former commandment (V)because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for (W)the Law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, there is the introduction of a better (X)hope, through which we (Y)come near to God. 20 And to the extent that it was not without an oath 21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,

(Z)The Lord has sworn
And (AA)will not change His mind,
You are a priest (AB)forever’”);

22 by the same extent Jesus also has become the [i](AC)guarantee of (AD)a better covenant.

23 [j]The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing; 24 [k]Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues (AE)forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore He is also able to (AF)save [l]forever those who (AG)come to God through Him, since He always lives to (AH)make intercession for them.

26 For it was fitting for us to have such a (AI)high priest, (AJ)holy, (AK)innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and (AL)exalted above the heavens; 27 who has no daily need, like those high priests, to (AM)offer up sacrifices, (AN)first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because He did this (AO)once for all time when He (AP)offered up Himself. 28 For the Law appoints men as high priests (AQ)who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints (AR)a Son, who has been (AS)made perfect forever.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 7:5 Lit according to
  2. Hebrews 7:5 Or tithes
  3. Hebrews 7:5 Lit have come out of the loins of
  4. Hebrews 7:6 Or tithes
  5. Hebrews 7:6 Lit has blessed
  6. Hebrews 7:10 Lit father
  7. Hebrews 7:14 Lit has arisen from
  8. Hebrews 7:16 Lit fleshly commandment; i.e., to be a descendant of Levi
  9. Hebrews 7:22 Or guarantor
  10. Hebrews 7:23 Lit The greater number have become priests...
  11. Hebrews 7:24 Lit He
  12. Hebrews 7:25 Or completely

El sacerdocio de Melquisedec

Porque este Melquisedec(A), rey de Salem, sacerdote del Dios Altísimo(B), salió al encuentro de Abraham cuando este regresaba de la matanza de los reyes, y lo bendijo. Abraham le entregó[a] el diezmo de todos los despojos, cuyo nombre significa primeramente rey de justicia, y luego también rey de Salem, esto es, rey de paz, sin padre, sin madre, sin genealogía(C), no teniendo principio de días ni fin de vida, siendo hecho semejante al Hijo de Dios(D), permanece sacerdote a perpetuidad.

Grandeza de Melquisedec

Considerad, pues, la grandeza de este hombre a quien Abraham, el patriarca(E), dio el diezmo(F) de lo mejor del botín[b]. Y en verdad los de los hijos de Leví(G) que reciben el oficio de sacerdote, tienen mandamiento en[c] la ley de recoger el diezmo[d] del pueblo, es decir, de sus hermanos, aunque estos son descendientes de Abraham[e]. Pero aquel cuya genealogía(H) no viene de ellos, recibió el diezmo[f](I) de Abraham y bendijo(J) al que tenía las promesas(K). Y sin discusión alguna, el menor es bendecido por el mayor. Aquí, ciertamente hombres mortales reciben el diezmo, pero allí, los recibe uno de quien se da testimonio de que vive(L). Y, por decirlo así, por medio de Abraham aun Leví, que recibía diezmos, pagaba diezmos, 10 porque aún estaba en los lomos de su padre cuando Melquisedec le salió al encuentro.

Cristo, sacerdote para siempre

11 Ahora bien, si la perfección era por medio del sacerdocio levítico(M) (pues sobre esa base recibió el pueblo la ley(N)), ¿qué necesidad había de que se levantara otro sacerdote según el orden de Melquisedec(O), y no designado según el orden de Aarón? 12 Porque cuando se cambia el sacerdocio, necesariamente ocurre también un cambio de la ley. 13 Pues aquel(P) de quien se dicen estas cosas(Q), pertenece a otra tribu, de la cual nadie ha servido en el altar. 14 Porque es evidente que nuestro Señor descendió[g] de Judá(R), una tribu de la cual Moisés no dijo nada tocante a sacerdotes. 15 Y esto es aún más evidente, si a semejanza de Melquisedec se levanta otro sacerdote, 16 que ha llegado a serlo, no sobre la base de una ley de requisitos físicos(S), sino según el poder de una vida indestructible(T). 17 Pues de Él se da testimonio:

Tú eres sacerdote para siempre
según el orden de Melquisedec(U).

18 Porque ciertamente, queda anulado el mandamiento anterior por ser débil e inútil(V) 19 (pues la ley nada hizo perfecto(W)), y se introduce una mejor esperanza(X), mediante la cual nos acercamos a Dios(Y). 20 Y por cuanto no fue sin juramento, 21 pues en verdad ellos llegaron a ser sacerdotes sin juramento, pero Él por un juramento del que le dijo:

El Señor ha jurado
y no cambiará[h](Z):
«Tú eres sacerdote para siempre[i](AA)»,

22 por eso, Jesús ha venido a ser fiador[j](AB) de un mejor pacto(AC). 23 Los sacerdotes anteriores eran más numerosos porque la muerte les impedía continuar, 24 pero Él conserva su sacerdocio inmutable[k] puesto que permanece para siempre(AD). 25 Por lo cual Él también es poderoso para salvar para siempre[l](AE) a los que por medio de Él se acercan a Dios(AF), puesto que vive perpetuamente para interceder por ellos(AG).

26 Porque convenía que tuviéramos tal Sumo Sacerdote(AH): santo(AI), inocente(AJ), inmaculado, apartado de los pecadores y exaltado más allá de los cielos(AK), 27 que no necesita, como aquellos sumos sacerdotes, ofrecer sacrificios diariamente(AL), primero por sus propios pecados y después por los pecados del pueblo(AM); porque esto lo hizo una vez para siempre(AN), cuando se ofreció a sí mismo(AO). 28 Porque la ley designa como sumos sacerdotes a hombres débiles(AP), pero la palabra del juramento, que vino después de la ley, designa al Hijo(AQ), hecho perfecto para siempre(AR).

Footnotes

  1. Hebreos 7:2 Lit., repartió
  2. Hebreos 7:4 Lit., de los botines
  3. Hebreos 7:5 Lit., según
  4. Hebreos 7:5 O, los diezmos
  5. Hebreos 7:5 Lit., salieron de los lomos de Abraham
  6. Hebreos 7:6 O, los diezmos
  7. Hebreos 7:14 Lit., se levantó
  8. Hebreos 7:21 O, no se arrepentirá
  9. Hebreos 7:21 Algunos mss. agregan: según el orden de Melquisedec
  10. Hebreos 7:22 O, la garantía
  11. Hebreos 7:24 O, intransferible, o, permanentemente
  12. Hebreos 7:25 O, completamente