Hebrews 7 Meaning and Commentary
Hebrews 7
This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 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.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 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. 9 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.
11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, 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, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, 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.”18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
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:
‘You are a priest forever.’”22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.
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. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
Hebrews 7 Meaning
Hebrews 7 discuss the character and superiority of the priesthood of Jesus Christ in comparison to the priesthood of Melchizedek. It emphasizes the eternal and unchangeable nature of Jesus’ priesthood and how it fulfills and surpasses the temporary nature of the Levitical priesthood. The verses also highlight the significance of Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.
Hebrews 7 Commentary and Explanation
Hebrews 7:1-3 introduces Melchizedek, a lesser-known figure from the Old Testament, who was a priest and king in the time of Abraham. The author of Hebrews compares Melchizedek to Jesus, highlighting his unique and significant attributes. Melchizedek’s name means “king of righteousness” and he was the king of Salem, which means “peace”. In this way, he embodies righteousness and peace, which are characteristics that perfectly align with the ministry of Jesus.
Verse 3 says that Melchizedek was “without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life.” This does not mean that Melchizedek literally had no parents or life-span, but rather that his genealogy is not mentioned in the Bible. This absence of genealogy emphasizes his never-ending priesthood, as there is no record of his death or the appointment of a successor. In this sense, he serves as a type or foreshadowing of Jesus, who is the eternal High Priest.
Hebrews 7:4-10 demonstrates the superiority of Melchizedek over Abraham and the Levitical priesthood. Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, recognized Melchizedek’s authority by giving him a tenth of the spoils from a battle. This act signifies Melchizedek’s superiority over Abraham, who was also a respected figure.
Furthermore, the author of Hebrews argues that the Levitical priests, who descended from Abraham, were also inferior to Melchizedek. This is because the priests under the Law of Moses received tithes from the people, including from Abraham himself, before they were even born. The fact that the Levitical priests were still in Abraham’s loins during this interaction with Melchizedek illustrates their subordinate position.
Hebrews 7:11-19 explains the need for a new priesthood like that of Melchizedek and Jesus. The Levitical priesthood could not bring perfection or eternal salvation because it was based on the law, which was weak and ineffective in achieving these goals. The author states that if perfection could be attained through the Levitical system, there would have been no need for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek.
However, Jesus, who came from the tribe of Judah and not from the Levitical line, brings a new and better hope. He establishes a new priesthood, not based on the law, but on the power of an indestructible life. Jesus’ priesthood is unchangeable and eternal, making him able to save completely those who come to God through him.
Context of Hebrews 7
The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were considering returning to the practices of Judaism due to societal pressure and persecution. The author seeks to encourage and strengthen them in their faith, emphasizing the superiority of Jesus and His New Covenant in comparison to the Old Covenant and its associated rituals.
In Hebrews 7, the author specifically addresses the priesthood of Jesus, establishing its superiority over the Levitical priesthood. This was particularly relevant to the Jewish audience, who placed great importance on the role of the priests in their religious practices. The author demonstrates that Jesus’ priesthood is not only superior but also essential for complete salvation.
Lessons From Hebrews 7
- The priesthood of Jesus Christ is eternal and superior to any human priesthood.
- Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is sufficient to save completely those who put their trust in Him.
- Salvation is not achieved through human effort or the keeping of the law but through faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross.
- Jesus’ priesthood provides a new and better hope, grounded in His indestructible life and His ability to save to the uttermost.
Final Thoughts
Hebrews 7 beautifully portrays the character and superiority of Jesus’ priesthood, drawing upon the figure of Melchizedek. It emphasizes the eternal and unchangeable nature of His priesthood, contrasting it with the temporary and imperfect nature of the Levitical system.
The verses remind us of the greatness of Jesus’ sacrifice and the hope we have in Him for complete salvation. Let us hold fast to this truth and constantly draw near to God through Jesus, our eternal and compassionate High Priest.
