Hebrews 7
7
Melchisedec
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.
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Hebrews 7: KJV
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Rights in the Authorized (King James) Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Published by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press.
Learn More About King James VersionHebrews 7
7
1This Melchizedek, who was king of Salem and priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he returned from the defeat of the kings, and Melchizedek blessed him. 2Abraham gave a tenth of everything to him. His name means first “king of righteousness,” and then “king of Salem,” that is, “king of peace.” 3He is without father or mother or any family. He has no beginning or end of life, but he’s like God’s Son and remains a priest for all time.
A priest like Melchizedek
4See how great Melchizedek was! Abraham, the father of the people, gave him a tenth of everything he captured. 5The descendants of Levi who receive the office of priest have a commandment under the Law to collect a tenth of everything from the people who are their brothers and sisters, though they also are descended from Abraham. 6But Melchizedek, who isn’t related to them, received a tenth of everything from Abraham and blessed the one who had received the promises. 7Without question, the less important person is blessed by the more important person. 8In addition, in one case a tenth is received by people who die, and in the other case, the tenth is received by someone who continues to live, according to the record. 9It could be said that Levi, who received a tenth, paid a tenth through Abraham 10because he was still in his ancestor’s body when Abraham paid the tenth to Melchizedek.
11So if perfection came through the levitical office of priest (for the people received the Law under the priests), why was there still a need to speak about raising up another priest according to the order of Melchizedek rather than one according to the order of Aaron? 12When the order of the priest changes, there has to be a change in the Law as well. 13The person we are talking about belongs to another tribe, and no one ever served at the altar from that tribe. 14It’s clear that our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, but Moses never said anything about priests from that tribe. 15And it’s even clearer if another priest appears who is like Melchizedek. 16He has become a priest by the power of a life that can’t be destroyed, rather than a legal requirement about physical descent. 17This is confirmed:
“You are a priest forever, ”
“according to the order of Melchizedek.”#7.17 Ps 110:4
Able to save completely
18On the one hand, an earlier command is set aside because it was weak and useless 19(because the Law made nothing perfect). On the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 20And this was not done without a solemn pledge! The others have become priests without a solemn pledge, 21but this priest was affirmed with a solemn pledge by the one who said,
“The Lord has made a solemn pledge ”
“and will not change his mind: ”
“You are a priest forever.”#7.21 Ps 110:4
22As a result, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. 23The others who became priests are numerous because death prevented them from continuing to serve. 24In contrast, he holds the office of priest permanently because he continues to serve forever. 25This is why he can completely save those who are approaching God through him, because he always lives to speak with God for them.
26It’s appropriate for us to have this kind of high priest: holy, innocent, incorrupt, separate from sinners, and raised high above the heavens. 27He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day like the other high priests, first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people. He did this once for all when he offered himself. 28The Law appoints people who are prone to weakness as high priests, but the content of the solemn pledge, which came after the Law, appointed a Son who has been made perfect forever.
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