Bible Commentaries
Hebrews 7

Verse 1

CHRIST, A PRIEST AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHISEDEC

1) "For this Melchisedec," (houtos gar Melchisedek) "Because this particular Melchisedec;” Of the pre-law era, before the beginning of the Levitical Priesthood.

2) "King of Salem," (Basileis Salem) "King of Salem," or chief ruler of Salem, city of peace, the name of a town a few miles south of Bethshean.

3) "Priest of the most high God," (herieustou theou tou hupsistou) "A priest of the most high (most exalted God) or the God above all other gods;” This man was true priest divinely called, not a priest of heathen gods, Genesis 14:18; Psalms 110:4; Hebrews 5:6. This was the first time the term "Priest" occurred in the Bible.

4) "Who met Abraham returning," (ho sunantesas Abraam hupostrephonti) "Who met Abraham who was returning;" or as Abraham was returning, Genesis 14:17-20.

5) "From the slaughter of the kings," (apo tes kopes ton basileon) "From the slaying (decapitating), cutting off the heads of the kings;” in the kings dale, where Absalom later erected a pillar after his own name, 2 Samuel 18:18.

6) "And blessed him," (kai eulogesas auton) "And he, Melchisedec, blessed him," blessed Abraham, Genesis 14:19-20.

Verse 2

1) "To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of aII,” (no kai dekaten apo panton emeresin Abraam) "To whom Abraham also (indeed) gave or divided a tenth from all that he had," Genesis 14:20. It is said that Abraham gave this priest, Melchisedec, tithes of all, Genesis 14:20 - Meaning a tenth of the spoils of war gotten in his recovery of Lot, Genesis 14:14-16; Hebrews 7:14.

2) "First being by interpretation," (proton men hermeneuomenos) "Firstly (in priority), on one hand, being interpreted," that is the word Melchisedec has two meanings, as follows:

3) "King of righteousness," (basileus dikaiosunes) "A king (chief ruler), administrator of righteousness," a type of Jesus Christ as the righteous King to come, King of the saints, righteous ones, Revelation 15:3; On the horses’ bridles during his reign shall be written, "Holiness unto the Lord," Zechariah 14:20.

4) "And after that also King of Salem," (epeita de kai basileus Salem) "Then on the other hand (or additionally) interpreted as King of peace," or peace of righteousness, the peace that King Jesus gives, Luke 2:14; John 14:27.

5) "Which is king of peace," (ho estin basileus eirenes) "Which is (exists as) or means King of Peace," Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33.

Verse 3

1) "Without father, without mother, without descent," (apator, amator, agenealogetos) "Not having (without) a father, not having (without) a mother, not having (without) a family line (pedigree), without foreparents," in the priesthood. Tho he was born of human parents and died as others die, his priestly office was not tied to a family pedigree.

2) "Having neither beginning of days, nor end of life," (mete archen hemeron mete zoes telos echon) "Having, holding, or possessing neither a beginning (origin) of days nor an end of life," in the line of priesthood. Levitical priests had not only a priestly line by natural birth but also ending their official priesthood, Numbers 4:3; Numbers 4:23; Numbers 4:30; Numbers 4:35; Numbers 4:39; Numbers 4:43; Numbers 4:47.

3) "But made like unto the Son of God," (aphomoiomenos de to huio tou theou) "But having been made like (similar to) the Son of God," who was not of the priesthood family line of the Levites, but who could be both a priest, and a king as Melchisedec was a type of the coming Christ, as a common priest while once on earth, John 17:1-26, but now our High Priest in heaven.

4) "Abideth a priest continually," (menei heireus eis to dienekes) "Remains or abides as a priest in perpetuity," without end or cessation. With the passing of the law of Moses, the ceremonies and Mosaic rites passed in fulfilling their purposes, but the intercessory, advocacy High Priesthood of Jesus is one in perpetuity; continuing forever, Colossians 2:14-17; Hebrews 7:24-25; Romans 8:34; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1.

Verse 4

1) "Now consider how great this man was," (theoreite de pelikos houtos) "Now behold (consider very closely) how great this man (was)," in personal excellence and official dignity honored as both King of righteousness and High Priest of peace, Hebrews 7:2-3.

2) "Unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave," (ho edkaten abraam edoken) "To whom Abraham gave(doled out) a tenth," of his own will or accord, 2 Corinthians 8:7-12; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Luke 6:38.

3) "The tenth of the spoils," (dekaton ek ton akrothinion ho patriarches) "Out of the spoils, the patriarch (Abraham), a tenth (he gave)," Genesis 14:20. It appears that some Divine revelation had been imparted to man before the law so that it is said that not even one ancient heathen religion existed without the concept that one should dedicate a tithe (one tenth of all he had) to share in carrying on a program of worship and service to his god. Somewhere Abraham and Jacob, even before the Law, had received godly convictions that followed them even while far away from their homes, to dedicate a tithe of material things that came into their hands to God; Genesis 28:20-22.

Verse 5

MELCHISEDEC PRIEST HIGHER THAN AARONIC

1) "And verily they that are of the sons of Levi," (kai hoi men ek ton huion Levi) "And those on the one hand out of the sons of Levi," offering of Levi, of the Levitical tribe line, Numbers 18:21; Numbers 18:26.

2) "Who receive the office of the priesthood," (ten hierateian lombanontes) "Those receiving or taking (holding) the priestly office;” Numbers 18:7-20; Hebrews 5:4.

3) "Have a commandment to take tithes of the people," (entolen echousin apo ekatoun ton laon) "They have a commandment to take or receive tithes from the laity," the people, then give a heave offering from the tithe to the Lord, then to Aaron, the High Priest, Numbers 18:27-28.

4) "According to the law," (kata ton nomon) "according to the (requirement of) law," the law of Moses, Leviticus 27:30; Leviticus 27:32.

5) "That is, of their brethren," (tout’ estin tous adelphous auton) "This tithe is of their brethren, .

6) "Though they come out of the loins of Abraham," (eksele luthotas ek tes osphuos Abraam) "Who have come forth out of the loins of Abraham," Leviticus 27:34; Malachi 4:4; Melchisedec as a patriarch, priest, and king, as a type of Christ, received tithes of the Levites while they were yet in Abraham’s loins. Christ still in heaven receives tithes of men today, Hebrews 7:6-7.

Verse 6

1) "But he whose descent is not counted from them," (ho de me genealogoumenos eks auton) "The one on the other hand not counting his genealogy or pedigree from them," Melchisedec whose genealogy was not from the Levites, Hebrews 7:3.

2) "Received tithes of Abraham," (dedekatosen abraam) "He tithed or was paid a tenth by Abraham," of all the spoils Abraham and his men had taken in war while rescuing his nephew, Lot. Genesis 14:14-20.

3) "And blessed him that had the promises," (kai ton echonta tas epangelias eulogeken) "And has blessed the one having, holding, or possessing the promises," that is, he, Melchisedec, has blessed (did bless) Abraham, Genesis 4:18-20. The blessings of only a godly, most exalted priest would have been acceptable to the patriarch Abraham.

TITHES

That tithes were not confined to the Jewish priesthood we learn from the fact of their having been very generally copied from the patriarchs by Gentile nations. Among the Greeks and Romans tenths were frequently dedicated out of men’s substance to their gods, sometimes as a lasting obligation, sometimes only on particular occasions; but it was customary to dedicate the tenth of the spoils of war to Jupiter Predator, to Mars, and to Hercules. A tenth of private possessions was also, in some places, dedicated to Diana. The Carthaginians sent a tenth of their profits to the Hercules of Tyre, of which city they were a colony. The Persians gave to their gods the tenth of war spoils, The Pelasgians paid tithes to the oracle of Apollo at Delphi,

- Mrs. Mackesy

Verse 7

1) "And without all contradiction," (choris de pases ontilogias) "And apart from (beyond) any contradiction," beyond any successful disputation; John 15:5; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. Without contradiction at all, or beyond successful contradiction at all, ex post facto.

2) "The less is blessed of the better," (to hellaton hupo tou kreittonos) "The one less (honored) is blessed by the one of better or higher honor," Melchisedec was greater than Abraham whom he blessed, though Abraham was a great man of faith, example, and experience. Even so Jesus Christ of whom Melchisedec was a type is yet greater than Melchisedec and his priesthood is better, as High Priest forever more; The blessings of Christ and his intercession are also greater than the High Priestly blessings of Israel, Numbers 6:23-27; Ephesians 1:3; Hebrews 11:20-21; John 17:9; John 17:15; John 17:17-24.

Verse 8

1) "And here men that die receive tithes," (kai hode men dekatos apothneskontes anthropoi lambanousin) "And here on the one hand dying men receive tithes," those dying, in dying bodies, as the patriarch priests and the Levite priests, and pastors of churches, as it is appointed to all men once to die, Ecclesiastes 9:5; Hebrews 9:26-27. In this too men are inferior to their High Priest who lives to bless.

2) "But there he receiveth them," (ekei de) "Yet out there, on the other hand," in heaven, he receives them, Jesus Christ, "at the Father’s right hand," receives honor of those who pay tithes to give him honor, thru the church, Ephesians 3:21; 2 Corinthians 8:12.

3) "Of whom it is witnessed that he liveth," (marturoumenos hoti ze) "Of whom it is being witnessed that he lives;” and is alive forevermore, Revelation 1:18; Heb 7-25.

Verse 9

1) "And as I may so say," (kai hos epos eipein) "and as (so to speak), a word to say," if I may, or permit me to say a word - a word of explanation to clarify.

2) "Levi also," (kai Levis) "Even (indeed) Levi," the tribe of Levi, and every member of every family, not just the priests and singers.

3) "Who receiveth tithes," (ho dekatos lambanon) "The one (Levi) receiving tithes," under the Jewish economy of religio-Law practice, as prescribed in the Law, Numbers 18:21-26.

4) "Payed tithes in Abraham," (di Abraam dedekatotai) "Has been tithed through Abraham," or paid tithes in Abraham, in their family covenant line, before the tribes were ever organized or the tithe Law of Moses was ever given, Genesis 14:14-20. In this Abraham represented God’s man of Faith, father of all those are saved and committed to follow wherever he leads them, in worship and obedient service, Romans 4:16.

Verse 10

1) "For he was yet in the loins of his father," (eti gar en te osphui tou patros en) "For he still was (existed) in the loins of his father;” The "he" was Levi, yet unborn son of Jacob by Leah, great grandson of Abraham, after whom the family tribe was named, Genesis 29:34; Genesis 49:1-2; Genesis 49:5-7.

2) "When Melchisedec met him," (hote surientesen auto Melchisedek) “At the time Melchisedec met him," met Abraham as he returned from capturing his nephew Lot, taking him and his goods back from those who had kidnapped him, Genesis 14:11-20.

Verse 11

1) "If therefore perfection were by the Levitical Priesthood," (ei men oun teleiosis dia tes Levitikes heirosunes hen) "If therefore perfection existed through the priestly office;” If the means, instrument, or agency of bringing man from sin’s condemnation, to salvation and sanctification, by the Levitical Priesthood law, under the Mosaic economy. This is a condition, supposition contrary to fact, Hebrews 7:18-19.

2) "For under it the people received the law," (ho laos gar ep’ autes nenomothetetai) "For the people (those) under it has (have) been furnished (the) Law," Hebrews 10:1; Hebrews 10:5-9; Galatians 2:21.

3) "What further need was there," (tis eti chreia kata) "Why was there still a need for," or according to; Because remission of sins could not be received thru the blood of bulls and goats under the Levitical Law economy it was necessary that there be a better sacrifice and a better priest, Hebrews 10:4; Hebrews 10:11-14.

4) "That another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec," (ten taksin Melchisedek heteron anistasthai heirea) "According to the order of Melchisedec another priest to arise or stand up;” A priest of another kind, Hebrews 8:1-2; Hebrews 8:6-8.

5) "And not be called after the order of Aaron?" (kai ou kata ten taksin Aaron legesthai) "And not to be named, or called, according to the order of Aaron?" If perfection (Salvation and spiritual maturity) could have been received thru the Levitical order of Aaron in the priesthood, there would not have been a need for the High-Priest-King, Jesus Christ, after the order or rank of Melchisedec.

Verse 12

1) "For the priesthood being changed," (metatithemenes gar tes heirosunes) "For the priestly off ice being (or existing) changed," at this time. When the Law of Moses was fulfilled, abolished, or taken out of the way, as a system of worship and service, another order of worship succeeded it, that of the church of earth, and the new High Priestly intercession of Christ in heaven, Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2.

2) "There is made of necessity," (ginetai eks anagkes) "Out of necessity there occurs;” As a result of the fulfillment of the Levitical Law and the bringing in of the New Covenant order of worship and High Priestly intercession in heaven, Colossians 2:14-17; 2 Corinthians 3:7-14; Matthew 28:18-20.

3) "A change also of the law," (kai nomou metathesis) "Also a metathesis (a change), of (the) law," an alteration of Divine order of worship. Since the Christ, first priest, and second High Priest has offered himself as a ransom sacrifice, offering himself on Calvary for the sins of the whole world, and then entered heaven with his own blood where he intercedes as High Priest today, it is necessary to recognize the new covenant order of worship. His church administers two pictorial ordinances as testimonies of the Resurrected Redeemer and High Priest King, Jesus Christ. These pictorial ordinances (laws) of the new covenant church worship are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, to be administered in memorial testimony of his completed redemptive work on earth and his continuing redemptive work in heaven, till he comes again, ; 1 Corinthians 11:1-2; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

Verse 13

1) "For he of whom these things are spoken," (eph’ hon gar lelti tauta) "For he with respect to whom these things are said," that is Jesus Christ, who sanctified to the purifying of the soul, while the Levitical law priests sanctified only to the purifying of the flesh. Those obediently offering those law ministrations were delivered from temporal death.

2) "Pertaineth to another tribe," (phules heteras metescheken) "Has partaken of another tribe," of the tribe of Judah, not of the tribe of Levi, Luke 1:31-33; Luke 2:4; Luke 7:14.

3) "Of which no man gave attendance at the altar," (aph’ hes oudeis prosescheken to thusiasteris) "From (among) which tribe (of Judah) no one (not one) has devoted himself to the altar-service," No one had ever been attached to the altar or sacrifice service from the tribe of Judah, from which Jesus sprang; It was restricted by the law to Levites only, Numbers 3:5-8; Deuteronomy 10:8.

Verse 14

1) "For it is evident," (prodelon gar) "For it is perfectly clear," as attested, or as historically certified, by the old and new testament scriptures as follows:

2) "That our Lord sprang out of Judah," (hoti eks louda anatetalken ho kurios hemon) "That our Lord has risen out of Judah," out of the tribal family of Judah and of David, Genesis 49:8-10; Isaiah 11:11; Luke 3:23; Luke 3:31; Luke 3:33; Romans 1:3; Revelation 5:5; Revelation 22:16.

3) "Of which tribe," (eis hen phulen)"With reference to which tribe," of Judah. Yet Christ was a priest and a king, of the tribe of Judah, after God’s purpose and after the rank of Melchisedec, Hebrews 7:21.

4) "Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood,”(peri heireon ouden Mouses elalesen) "Moses spoke not one thing concerning priests," or that lawful priests should ever be of the tribe of Judah; In fact when Uzziah, King of Judah imposed himself into the priesthood to offer sacrifices he was struck with leprosy to the day of his death, 2 Chronicles 26:1; 2 Chronicles 26:16-21.

Verse 15

1) "And it is yet far more evident," (kai perissoteron eti katadelon estin) "And more abundantly still it is quite clear," or it is far more evident, from biblical evidence.

2) "For that after the similitude of Melchisedec," (ei kata ten homoioteta Melchisedek) "(For) if according to the likeness of Melchisedec," according to the account of, Hebrews 7:6-10.

3) "There ariseth another priest," (anistatai hereus heteros) "There arises another in kind of character, of a different order from, that of Aaron or the tribe of Levi; He is one who continually offers his own blood as an atonement for our sins, in the presence of God, Hebrews 9:21-26.

Verse 16

1) "Who is made," (hos gegonen) "Who has become," come to be, to exist, as an High Priest, John 1:14; He is appointed a priest, an High Priest by the Father.

2) "Not after the law of a carnal commandment," (ou kata nomon entoles sarkines) "Not according to the law of a fleshly commandment," a commandment of priestly service that had restrictions and limitations of days for every priest, Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 9:10.

3) "But after the power of an endless life," (alla kata dunamin zoes akatalutou) "But according to the power of an indissoluble life," a life that cannot be dissolved or cease to exist, as that of Jesus Christ the ever-living and interceding High Priest who is alive forevermore, Hebrews 7:3; Hebrews 7:25; Revelation 1:18; John 5:26; Acts 3:15; James 1:12; John 5:20; Revelation 1:17-18; Job 19:25.

Verse 17

1) "For he testifieth," (martureitai gar) "For it is witnessed," certified; Because God witnessed, bare witness himself, Psalms 110:4. The repeated testamentary evidence called up by the writer of the book of Hebrews is, in literary structure, that of a lawyer who was perhaps the Apostle Paul, who accepted the entire old testament as trustworthy, 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

2) "Thou art a priest forever," (hoti su heireus eis ton aiona) "That thou art (dost exist) a priest (forever), into the age," into eternity, an everlasting priest, Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 6:20.

3) "After the order of Melchisedec," (kata ten taksin Melchisedek) "According to the order, rank, or classification of Melchisedec;” having neither father nor mother, beginning or ending of priesthood lineage, Hebrews 5:5-6.

Verse 18

1) "For there is verily a disannulling," (athetesis men gar ginetai) "For there comes about abrogation, or setting aside," putting aside like a worn out or useless garment, Colossians 2:14-17; Christ took the Law of Moses "out of the way," nailing it to his cross, fulfilled its requirements, when he offered himself as a sacrifice and bore our sins in his own body on the tree, 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24.

2) "Of the commandment going before," (proagouses entoles) "Of a preceding commandment," the one that prescribed an earthly priesthood to offer sacrifices, etc., of the carnal kind of commandment, Hebrews 7:16; Hebrews 9:10.

3) "For the weakness and unprofitableness thereof," (dia to autes asthenes kai anopheles) "Because of the weakness and unprofitableness of it;” as a projector of types, shadows, and object lessons of which Jesus Christ was and is the substance, Hebrews 10:3-4; Romans 8:3.

The law of sacrifices, other than typical, was unprofitable, could not remit sins, but only as a school-master pointed men to the need of a redeeming sacrifice, even to Jesus Christ, Galatians 3:19-25; Galatians 4:9.

Verse 19

1) "For the law made nothing perfect," (ouden gar eteleiosen ho nomos) "For the law perfected or made nothing complete," Romans 8:3; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:11; Galatians 3:13; Galatians 3:24.

2) "But the bringing in of a better hope did," (epeisagoge de kreeittonos elpidos) "On the other hand a bringing in of a better hope did;” It pointed to the perfect sacrifice, Jesus Christ, by and thru faith in whom men receive holiness and perfection, Matthew 5:48; Colossians 1:27.

3) "By the which we draw nigh unto God," (di hes engizomen to theo) "Through which (hope) we draw near to God;” even by Jesus Christ the anchor of the believers hope, anchored to that one within the veil, heaven itself where Jesus Christ ever lives and intercedes, Hebrews 4:1-16; Hebrews 6:17-20; Hebrews 9:6-9; Ephesians 2:13-15; Hebrews 10:19-24.

Verse 20

1) "And inasmuch as," (kai kath’ hoson) "And in proportion;" To establish ones truthfulness or honesty in a statement or testimony the law provided for one to take an oath of pledge in the name of Deity. Priests were not required to take an oath, but God did this to the human race regarding the sending of His son as High Priest and King, Exodus 22:11.

2) "Not without an oath," (he was made priest) (ou choris horkomosias) "Not without an oath taking," without the taking of a priestly oath, he, Jesus, became a priest, Hebrews 6:16-20.

3) "For those priests were made without an oath," (hoi men gar choris horkomosias eisin hieeis gegonotes) "For they (those law priests) on the one hand, apart from or without oath-taking, have become priests," an oath was taken or immutability of the thing pledged or sworn, under God.

Verse 21

1) "But this with an oath," (ho de meta horkomosias) "He (Christ) on the other hand with an oath taking," became a priest, and an High Priest-King.

2) "By him that said unto him," (dia tou legontis pros auton) "Through the one saying, or him who said to him," God, the Father, pledged to the Son with an oath of his character and integrity to raise him from the dead, make him (Jesus) live forevermore, as High-Priest and King over all His universe, Romans 8:11; Revelation 1:18; 1 Corinthians 15:23-28; Luke 1:31-33.

3) "The Lord sware and will not repent," (homosen kurios kai ou meta mele thesetai) "The Lord swore and will not change his mind," will not equivocate, vacillate, or reverse his determination, Psalms 110:4.

4) "Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec," (su heireus eis ton aiona) "Thou art a priest unto the age," eternity; forever a priest he is; He exists an eternal priest, intercessor for every need of the redeemed forever, Hebrews 6:16-20; Hebrews 7:25.

Verse 22

1) "By so much was Jesus," (kata tosouto kai clesous) "By so much indeed (has) Jesus;” As Melchisedec’s priesthood was combined by regal authority so is the High Priesthood of Jesus attached to his coming reign as King of kings and Lord of lords, Revelation 19:16; Isaiah 9:6-7.

2) "Made a surety of a better testament," (kreittonos disthekes gegonen enguos) "Has become (come to be) surety of a better covenant," to save to the uttermost those that approach God thru him, John 6:37; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2. As Melchisedec was known as king of righteousness and king of peace, so shall Jesus as our High Priest and coming king even in a more excellent way. While Melchisedec’s priesthood ceased administration at his death, our Lord’s High Priestly work continues forever, as a better testament, never ceasing, Isaiah 53:5; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24.

A PRIEST FOREVER

"Oh!" says one good Israelite, "the venerable high priest who has just fallen asleep was my friend; we took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in company." Beloved, here is our comfort: we have only one Priest, and He ever liveth. My soul reposes in the faith of His one sacrifice, offered once and no more. Jesus reads my heart and has always read it since it began to beat: He knows my griefs and has carried my sorrows from old, and He will bear both them and me when old age shall shrivel up my strength. When I myself shall fall asleep in death He will not die, but will be ready to receive me into His own undying blessedness.

- Spurgeon.

Verse 23

1) "And they truly were many priests," (kai hoi men pleiones eisin gegonotes heireis) "And they, on the one hand, are having become many priests;” But Christ was greater than all of them. They had always been first to offer sacrifices for their own sins, then for the masses of people; but Jesus had no inherent sin or deed of personal sin for which he had to sacrifice, Leviticus 4:3; Leviticus 9:7; Leviticus 16:6; Leviticus 16:17; Hebrews 7:27; Hebrews 9:7.

2) "Because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death," (dia to thanato koluesthai paramenein) On account of being prevented by death from continuing," in their priesthood, Exodus 29:29-30; Leviticus 16:30-33; Numbers 20:28.

Death limited, cut short, the duration or tenure of all earthly priests. But it did not cause the everlasting tenure of our Lord’s priesthood to be broken or to cease. This is why he is the High Priest of a better testament, Hebrews 8:6; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 2 Corinthians 3:8-9; Revelation 1:18.

Verse 24

1) "But this man," (ho de) "But this one," Jesus, this heavenly, regal Priest-King, after the order of Melchisedec.

2) "Because he continueth ever," (dia to menein auton eis ton aiona) "Because he remains unto the age," continues unto the eternal age, forever, to live and to intercede for his own forever, Hebrews 7:27; Revelation 1:18.

3) "Hath an unchangeable priesthood;" (aparabaton echei ten heirosunen) "Has, holds, or possesses the intransmissible priestly office," the office that may not, can not be transmitted to any other, John 14:1; Acts 4:12; Hebrews 7:25. In this official position of dignity Jesus appears "in the presence of God for us," Hebrews 9:24. Our High Priest’s eyes never grow dim; His ears never grow dull; His voice never grows weak; and His hands never grow numb as he ever lives and listens to our cries, to make intercession in heaven for us; In this he is the unchanging, understanding, Intercessor, the "yesterday, today, and forever." Hebrews 1:12; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 13:8; Revelation 1:4.

Verse 25

1) "Wherefore he is able," (othen kai dunatai) "From whence indeed (surely), certainly, he is able," dynamic, empowered, because of his unchangeableness as the Son of God, creating one, the ever-Iiving- never- more-dying one; Both Paul and Jude witnessed this, Romans 16:25; 2 Timothy 1:12; Judges 1:24.

2) "To save them to the uttermost," (sozein eis to panteles) "To save (them) entirely," to completely save them, in contrast with imperfection of the Levitical priesthood, Hebrews 7:11, and the unprofitableness of it, Hebrews 7:18. This Priest saves to the uttermost the trusting soul who comes to him with remorse; He saves from all sin and its eternal consequences, John 6:37.

3) "That come unto God by him," (tous prosercho menous di’ autou to theo) "Those approaching God through him;” None can come to God except by the way of Jesus Christ, the way of the cross, on the basis of his shed blood, which enables one to come to God by him, John 14:6; Hebrews 9:22; all other efforts to reach the Father are like those of thieves and robbers, John 10:1; John 10:9; John 10:27-29.

4) "Seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them," (pantote zon eis to entugchanein huper auton) "For he is always living to intercede on behalf of them," John 14:19; Romans 8:34; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:24. This assertion is based on the continuing mediatorial work of Jesus Christ for his own, 1 John 1:7; Romans 5:9-10.

Verse 26

1) "For such an high priest became us who is," (toioutos gar hemin kai epreoin archiereus) "For such an high priest was indeed suitable to us;” He "filled the bill," or met our need, Leviticus 21:1; Leviticus 21:6; Leviticus 21:11; Ex 28-36-38. He is one who is, who exists, or has his nature and character of being as follows:

2) "Holy" (hosios) "holy" in every physical, moral, ethical and Divine sense, sanctified in and to holiness, Acts 3:14; angels and the redeemed, in glory, cry holy unto him, ; Re IT 4:8.

3) "Harmless," (akakos) "Without evil," or badness, or wrong; without guile, unreviling, 1 Peter 2:23; His children are to seek to be like minded, Matthew 5:11; Romans 12:17; Matthew 10:15.

4) "Undefiled," (amiantos) "Without contracted uncleanness," uncontaminated, unpolluted, not defiled in thought, word, or deed, Matthew 5:48; Luke 23:4; Luke 23:14.

5) "Separate from sinners," (kechorismenos apo ton hamartolon) "Having been separated from sinners;” 2 Corinthians 5:21; In a different class from moral law-breakers, of his own accord, will, or nature, he lived apart from sin, could thus make himself a sacrifice for man’s sin, then with his own blood as High Priest enter heaven to offer it for the daily sins of his people, Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 8:6.

6) "And made higher than the heavens," (kai hupseloteros ton ouranon genomenos) "Even becoming (existing) higher (in a moral state or condition) than the heavens," where Satan and his fallen angels have been and yet approach the throne of God to accuse the brethren. Yes, he shall one day cause the present heaven and earth to pass away, yet he shall not, Ephesians 4:10.

Verse 27

1) "Who needeth not daily," (hos ouk echei kath’ hemeran anagken) "Who has not a daily need or necessity," as required under the Mosaic Law, Exodus 29:38; Leviticus 16:6; Leviticus 16:15.

2) "As those high priests," (hosper hoi archiereis) "As those high priests had a daily need," under the type and shadow or pictorial, sacrificial age, Galatians 3:19-24.

3) "To offer up sacrifice," (thusias anapherein) "To (repeatedly) offer up sacrifices," Hebrews 10:1-4; Hebrews 10:14. Jesus personally offered up no sacrifice for himself while on earth because he had no sins to acknowledge and no need of personal redemption.

4) "First for his own sins," (proteron huper ton idion hamartion) "Firstly (in priority) on behalf of his own moral and ethical wrongs," as those Jewish priests did by law, Leviticus 9:7; Leviticus 16:6; Leviticus 16:11; Hebrews 5:3; Hebrews 9:7.

5) "And then for the people’s," (epeita ton you laou) "Then on behalf of the sins (moral and ethical) wrongs of the laity," the masses of common people, Leviticus 16:15.

6) "For this he did once," (touto gar epoiesen ephapaks) "For this he did once on behalf of all," of all people, for all times, Romans 6:10; .

7) "When he offered up himself," (heauton anenegkas) "Offering up himself," John 10:18; Titus 2:14; 1 Timothy 2:5-6. A perfect sacrifice needed not be repeated. Christ offered himself "once for all," all people and all times, Hebrews 10:10; Hebrews 10:12.

Verse 28

1) "For the law maketh men," (ho nomos gar anthropous kathistesin) "For the law (of Moses) appoints man," ordains or sets men in office of the high priesthood.

2) "High priests which have infirmities," (archiereis echontas theneian) "As high priests who have or possess weaknesses, sicknesses, infirmities, or imperfections," of physical, moral and spiritual nature, Hebrews 5:1-2; Hebrews 8:3.

3) "But the word of the oath," (ho logos de tes horkomosias) "But the word of the oath taking one," as described by David, Psalms 110:4.

4) "Which was since the law," (tes meta ton nomon) "Which exists after the law appointments;" This High Priest since the Law, or supplanting the earthly priesthood law, is Jesus Christ, his regal and royal highness, as both High Priest and King of righteousness and peace in spiritual matters excelling Melchisedec, .

5) "Maketh the Son, who is consecrated forevermore," (huion eis ton aiona teteleiomenon) "That oath makes the Son who is having been consecrated or perfected an eternal priest, into the ages of ages," Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 5:9; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 7:25.

THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST

When Aaron entered the Most Holy Place, he was bound to carry the names of the tribes of Israel upon his shoulders and upon his breast, on his shoulders, in token that he bore the burden of their wickedness and their infirmities; upon his breast, in token of his love and care for them as next to his heart. Such a High Priest is our Advocate. "We have not a High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." He died to make satisfaction. He lives to make intercession. We are on His shoulders, to have our burdens borne for us. We are near His heart, that He may both die and live for us ... It is a glorious thought: we have in heaven One we can think of, know, believe, love, delight in, bone of our bone, flesh of our flesh, One whom no accident can disable, no quarrel can estrange, no death remove: for He ever liveth to make intercession for us.

R. B. Nichol.