The Epistles · Chapter 7 of 13

Hebrews 7

The writer expounds Melchisedec, the king and priest who met Abraham and received tithes, as a picture of Christ's superior priesthood. Because Melchisedec had no recorded genealogy and blessed Abraham, his order outranks Levi. Christ, sprung from Judah not Levi, is a priest not by legal descent but by the power of an endless life. His priesthood, confirmed by God's oath, is unchangeable, so he saves completely and ever lives to intercede.

What happens in Hebrews 7

The author revisits Melchisedec from Genesis 14: king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from battle, blessed him, and received a tenth. His name means king of righteousness, and Salem means peace. Without recorded father, mother, or genealogy, he resembles the Son of God, a priest continually. The writer argues his greatness: Abraham, and Levi still in Abraham's loins, paid tithes to him, and the lesser is blessed by the greater. If perfection came through the Levitical priesthood, no other priest would be needed.

But Christ arose after the order of Melchisedec, from the tribe of Judah, made priest not by a fleshly commandment but by the power of an endless life, confirmed by God's oath. This changes the law and the priesthood together. Because he lives forever, his priesthood does not pass to another. He saves to the uttermost, ever living to intercede. Holy and undefiled, he offered himself once.

Hebrews 7 in context

Chapter seven fulfills the promise made in chapters five and six to explain Melchisedec, drawing on Genesis 14 and Psalm 110. Written to Jewish Christians deeply attached to the temple and its priesthood, it makes the boldest case that the old priestly system was provisional.

By showing an older, higher priesthood than Aaron's, the author argues that Christ's priesthood is not a violation of Scripture but its intended goal and fulfillment.

Main themes of Hebrews 7

Hebrews 7 (KJV)

1For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2To 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; 3Without 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. 4Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 5And 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: 6But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. 8And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. 11If 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? 12For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 18For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. 20And 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:) 22By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. 23And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25Wherefore 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. 26For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27Who 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. 28For 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.

Verses to carry from Hebrews 7

“By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.”Hebrews 7:22

“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.”Hebrews 7:25

“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.”Hebrews 7:27

Reflection

Jesus ever lives to make intercession for you. Right now, in heaven, he is praying for you by name. When you feel your prayers are weak, remember your priest never stops. He saves to the uttermost, not partway. Rest today in a salvation that does not depend on your grip but on his endless life.

A prayer from Hebrews 7