Hebrews 7

Levitical Priesthood Compared Hebrews 7:5–10

⁵Verse 5. They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham, ⁶Verse 6. but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises. ⁷Verse 7. But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. ⁸Verse 8. Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives. ⁹Verse 9. We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,

¹⁰Verse 10. for he was yet in the body of his father when Melchizedek met him.

Need for a New Priesthood Hebrews 7:11–19

¹¹Verse 11. Now if there were perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? ¹²Verse 12. For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law. ¹³Verse 13. For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. ¹⁴Verse 14. For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. ¹⁵Verse 15. This is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest,

¹⁶Verse 16. who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after the power of an endless life: ¹⁷Verse 17. for it is testified, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” ¹⁸Verse 18. For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and uselessness ¹⁹Verse 19. (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Oath and Covenant Hebrews 7:20–22

²⁰Verse 20. Inasmuch as he was not made priest without the taking of an oath ²¹Verse 21. (for they indeed have been made priests without an oath), but he with an oath by him that says of him, “The Lord swore and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’” ²²Verse 22. By so much, Jesus has become the collateral of a better covenant.

Eternal Priesthood of Jesus Hebrews 7:23–25

²³Verse 23. Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death. ²⁴Verse 24. But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable. ²⁵Verse 25. Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.

The Perfect High Priest Hebrews 7:26–28

²⁶Verse 26. For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; ²⁷Verse 27. who doesn’t need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices daily, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself. ²⁸Verse 28. For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath which came after the law appoints a Son forever who has been perfected.