Skip to content
Scripture Mapping

Hebrews 7

World English Bible

WEB

1For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, “king of righteousness”, and then also “king of Salem”, which means “king of peace”, 3without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God), remains a priest continually. 4Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth out of the best plunder. 5They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham, 6but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises. 7But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives. 9We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes, 10for he was yet in the body of his father when Melchizedek met him. 11Now if perfection was 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? 12For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law. 13For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15This is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest, 16who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after the power of an endless life; 17for it is testified, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” 18For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and uselessness 19(for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20Inasmuch as he was not made priest without the taking of an oath 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.’” 22By so much, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. 23Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death. 24But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable. 25Therefore 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. 26For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27who 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. 28For 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.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Hebrews Chapter 7 presents a profound exploration of the priesthood of #Melchizedek, establishing its significance in relation to the priesthood of #Aaron and the Levitical system. The chapter begins by recounting the encounter between Abraham and Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of the Most High God. Abraham, after a victorious battle, gives Melchizedek a tenth of the spoils, highlighting Melchizedek's superior priestly status. This act of tithing signifies the honor and authority Melchizedek holds, as the author notes that the lesser is blessed by the greater (Hebrews 7:7). This moment serves to illustrate the eternal nature of Melchizedek's priesthood, which is not based on genealogy or the law, but rather on the power of an indestructible life (Hebrews 7:16).

The chapter further emphasizes that Jesus Christ is a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek, contrasting Him with the Levitical priests who were limited by their mortality and the law. The author explains that the law made nothing perfect, but through Jesus, a better hope is introduced, allowing believers to draw near to God (Hebrews 7:19). The permanence of Christ's priesthood ensures that He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, as He always lives to intercede for them (Hebrews 7:25). This chapter ultimately affirms the superiority of Christ's priesthood, establishing Him as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity, fulfilling the promises of the Old Testament and providing a new covenant of grace.

Study

14 dimensions

Referenced by

  1. Genesis 14:18v1Genesis 14:18 introduces Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, who blesses Abram. Hebrews 7:1-3 elaborates on Melchizedek's role as a type of Christ, emphasizing his eternal priesthood and righteousness.
  2. Genesis 14:20v4Genesis 14:20 describes Abram giving a tenth of everything to Melchizedek. Hebrews 7:4-10 discusses the significance of this tithe, highlighting Melchizedek's superiority and foreshadowing the greater priesthood of Christ.
  3. Exodus 28:29v25Exodus 28:29 describes Aaron bearing the names of the sons of Israel on his heart as he enters the Holy Place, which is a foreshadowing of Christ's intercessory role in Hebrews 7:25, where He always lives to make intercession for His people.
  4. Leviticus 4:3v27Leviticus 4:3 describes the sin offering required for the anointed priest, highlighting the need for atonement. Hebrews 7:27 contrasts this with Jesus, who offered Himself once for all, fulfilling and surpassing the Old Testament sacrificial system.
  5. Leviticus 21:10v26Leviticus 21:10 describes the high priest's unique role and holiness, which is fulfilled in Jesus as the perfect high priest in Hebrews 7:26-28, who is holy, blameless, and exalted above the heavens.
  6. Leviticus 27:32v5Leviticus 27:32 discusses the tithe of the herd and flock, which is referenced in Hebrews 7:5 in the context of the Levitical priesthood receiving tithes.
  7. Numbers 3:45v11Numbers 3:45 discusses the substitution of the Levites for the firstborn of Israel, which prefigures the change in priesthood discussed in Hebrews 7:11-12, where the Levitical priesthood is replaced by the priesthood of Christ.
  8. Numbers 16:46v25Numbers 16:46 shows Aaron making atonement for the people to stop the plague. Hebrews 7:25 speaks of Jesus as the ultimate high priest who always lives to intercede for those who come to God through Him, highlighting the theme of intercession and atonement.
  9. 1 Samuel 7:9v25Samuel offers a burnt offering and prays for Israel, which parallels Christ's role as the ultimate intercessor in Hebrews 7:25, who always lives to intercede for believers.
  10. Psalms 110:4v17Psalm 110:4 is cited in Hebrews 7:17 to affirm Jesus as a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek, establishing His eternal priesthood.
  11. Isaiah 59:16v25Isaiah 59:16 notes that God saw no one to intercede, leading Him to act Himself, which is fulfilled in Christ's eternal intercession as described in Hebrews 7:25.
  12. Zechariah 6:13v1Zechariah 6:13 describes the priestly and kingly roles united in the 'Branch', which is echoed in Hebrews 7:1-3 where Melchizedek is both king and priest, prefiguring Christ's dual role.
  13. Galatians 2:21v18Galatians 2:21 argues that if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing, which is echoed in Hebrews 7:18-19 about the law being set aside for a better hope.
  14. Hebrews 10:10v27Hebrews 10:10 speaks of being sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all, which is paralleled in Hebrews 7:27 where it is stated that Jesus offered Himself once for all, unlike the daily sacrifices of the priests.
  15. 1 John 2:1v251 John 2:1 speaks of Jesus Christ as our advocate with the Father, which is echoed in Hebrews 7:25 where Jesus is described as always living to intercede for us.

Topics in this chapter

Related chapters

Your study

Take it with you

This chapter’s study as a Markdown file. The analysis was written for a notebook originally, so the hashtags arrive as hashtags and the passages as links.

Download the analysisDownload it with your notes and highlights