Add parallel Print Page Options

11 (A)Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it (B)the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise (C)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 (D)the one concerning whom (E)these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord [a]was (F)descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. 15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become such not according to a law of [b](G)physical requirement, but according to the power of (H)an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed about Him,

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

18 For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment (J)because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for (K)the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better (L)hope, through which we (M)draw near to God.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 7:14 Lit has arisen from
  2. Hebrews 7:16 To be a descendant of Levi; lit fleshly commandment

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?[a]

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.”[b]

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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 7:11 Greek the order of Aaron?
  2. 7:17 Ps 110:4.