Hebrews 7
7
The Greatness of Melchizedek
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham as he#*Here “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was returning”) which is understood as temporal was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,#This verse contains a number of quotations from Gen 14:17–19 2to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth of everything#A quotation from Gen 14:20—in the first place, his name is translated “king of righteousness,” and then also “king of Salem,” that is, “king of peace”; 3without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God—he remains a priest for all time.
4But see how great this man was, to whom Abraham#Some manuscripts have “even Abraham” the patriarch gave a tenth from the spoils! 5And indeed those of the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have a commandment to collect a tenth from the people according to the law, that is, from their brothers, although they are descended from Abraham#Literally “coming forth from the loins of Abraham”. 6But the one who did not trace his descent from them collected tithes from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. 7Now without any dispute the inferior is blessed by the more prominent. 8And in this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case it is testified that he lives. 9And, so to speak#Literally “as if to say a word”, even Levi, the one who receives tithes, has paid tithes through Abraham. 10For he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
The Superiority of Jesus to Melchizedek
11Thus if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood, for on the basis of it the people received the law, what further need is there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek and not said to be according to the order of Aaron? 12For when#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“changes”) the priesthood changes, of necessity there is a change of the law also. 13For the one about whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord is a descendant of Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses said nothing concerning priests. 15And it is still more clear, if another priest according to the likeness of Melchizedek arises, 16who has become a priest not according to a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. 17For it is testified,
“You are a priest forever#Literally “for the age” according to the order of Melchizedek.”#A quotation from Ps 110:4 (see also Heb 5:6; 6:20)
18For on the one hand a preceding commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19(for the law made nothing perfect), but on the other hand there is the introduction of a better hope through which we draw near to God. 20And by as much as this was not without an oath (for these on the one hand have become priests#Literally “are having become priests” without an oath, 21but he with an oath by the one who said to him,
“The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind,
‘You are a priest forever#Literally “for the age”’ ”#A quotation from Ps 110:4 (see also Heb 5:6; 6:20; 7:17)),
22by so much more#Some manuscripts have “so much more also” Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23And indeed many have become#Literally “are having become” priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24but he, because he continues forever#Literally “for the age”, holds the priesthood permanently. 25Therefore also he is able to save completely those who draw near to God through him, because he#*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“lives”) which is understood as causal always lives in order to intercede on their behalf.
26For a high priest such as this indeed is fitting for us, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and having become exalted above the heavens, 27who does not need every day#Literally “have necessity every day” like the former high priests to offer up sacrifices for his own sins and then for the sins of the people, because he did this once for all when he#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal participle (“offered up”) offered up himself. 28For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the statement of the oath, after the law, appoints a Son, who is made perfect forever#Literally “for the age”.
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Hebrews 7
7
Melchizedek the Priest
1This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
4Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5Now 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. 6This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 9One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.
Jesus Like Melchizedek
11If 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? 12For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16one 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. 17For it is declared:
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”#7:17 Psalm 110:4
18The 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.
20And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21but 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.’ ”#7:21 Psalm 110:4
22Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.
23Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25Therefore he is able to save completely#7:25 Or forever those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
26Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27Unlike 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. 28For 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.
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