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
The Priestly Order of Melchizedek
1This “King Melchizedek of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him”; 2and to him Abraham apportioned “one-tenth of everything.” His name, in the first place, means “king of righteousness”; next he is 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 forever.
4See how great he is! Even#7.4 Other ancient authorities lack Even Abraham the patriarch gave him a tenth of the spoils. 5And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to collect tithes#7.5 Or a tenth from the people, that is, from their kindred,#7.5 Gk brothers though these also are descended from Abraham. 6But this man, who does not belong to their ancestry, collected tithes#7.6 Or a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had received the promises. 7It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8In the one case, tithes are received by those who are mortal; in the other, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.
Another Priest, Like Melchizedek
11Now if perfection had been attainable through the levitical priesthood—for the people received the law under this priesthood—what further need would there have been to speak of another priest arising according to the order of Melchizedek, rather than one according to the order of Aaron? 12For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13Now the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
15It is even more obvious when another priest arises, resembling Melchizedek, 16one who has become a priest, not through a legal requirement concerning physical descent, but through the power of an indestructible life. 17For it is attested of him,
“You are a priest forever,
according to the order of Melchizedek.”
18There is, on the one hand, the abrogation of an earlier commandment because it was weak and ineffectual 19(for the law made nothing perfect); there is, on the other hand, the introduction of a better hope, through which we approach God.
20This was confirmed with an oath; for others who became priests took their office without an oath, 21but this one became a priest with an oath, because of the one who said to him,
“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
‘You are a priest forever’ ”—
22accordingly Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; 24but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25Consequently he is able for all time to save#7.25 Or able to save completely those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
26For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27Unlike the other#7.27 Gk lacks other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. 28For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
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New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.