Bible Commentaries
Hebrews 7

Verses 1-3

A Description of Melchizedek Hebrews 7:1-3 offers an introduction to Melchizedek prior to making a number of arguments as to his superiority over the Levitical priesthood.

The Continual Order of Melchizedek’s Priesthood - In the Greek text Hebrews 7:1-3 forms a single sentence. The base-line sentence of Hebrews 7:1-3 is, “For this Melchizedek…abides a priest forever.” The rest of the sentence clauses simply modify, or explain, how “this former Melchizedek” is superior to Abraham because of his character.

Hebrews 7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

Hebrews 7:1 Comments - Hebrews 7:1 refers to the narrative passage in Genesis 14:1-24, when Abraham defeated the kings of the east. Upon his return, Melchizedek met Abraham with bread and wine and blessed the patriarch. In response, Abraham gave him tithes of the spoils. Salem refers to the city of Jerusalem, which name is found in Psalms 76:2, “In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.”

Hebrews 7:2 To 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;

Hebrews 7:2 “first being by interpretation King of righteousness” - Comments The names “Melchizedek” is formed from two Hebrew words: ( צדק ) = righteousness, and ( םלכץ ) = king.

Hebrews 7:2 Comments The order of names, which are being interpreted, “King of righteousness,” then “King of peace,” follows the order of names “Melchizedek” and “King of Salem” mentioned in Hebrews 7:1.

Sailhamer tells us that Josephus and Philo give similar interpretations of Melchisedek, supporting the view that the author of the epistle of Hebrews was following a long-held Jewish tradition when making this statement. [232] Sailhamer adds that the Palestinian Targum reads, “The righteous king,” for ( םַלְכָּא צַדִּיקָא ).

[232] John H. Sailhamer, Introduction to Old Testament Theology (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, c1995), 311.

“So Abram, when he had saved the captive Sodomites who had been taken by the Assyrians, and Lot also, his kinsman, returned home in peace. Now the king of Sodom met him at a certain place, which they called The King’s Dale, where Melchizedek, king of the city Salem, received him. That name signifies the righteous king; and such he was without dispute, insomuch that, on this account, he was made the priest of God: however, they afterward called Salem Jerusalem.” ( Antiquities, 1.10.2) [233]

[233] Flavius Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews, in The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged, trans. William Whiston (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1996, c1987), in Libronix Digital Library System, v. 2.1c [CD-ROM] (Bellingham, WA: Libronix Corp., 2000-2004), 1:179-180.

“Moreover, God made Melchisedek, the king of peace, that is of Salem, for that is the interpretation of this name, ‘his own high priest,’ without having previously mentioned any particular action of his, but merely because he had made him a king, and a lover of peace, and especially worthy of his priesthood.” (Philo Judaeus, On the Allegories of the Sacred Laws, 25) [234]

[234] C. D. Yonge, The Works of Philo Judaeus, the Contemporary of Josephus, vol. 1 (London: Henry G. Bohn, 1854), 128.

Hebrews 7:3 Without 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.

Hebrews 7:3 “Without father, without mother, without descent” Comments The Levitical priesthood stood upon the foundation of one’s genealogical record. If a priest could not prove his descent from the tribe of Levi, he could not serve in a Jewish priestly office.

Hebrews 7:3 Comments There are a number of passages in the Old Testament that allude to a divine appearance of God (theophanies) or of the pre-incarnate Christ Jesus (Christophanies). For example, Melchizedek king of Salem appears to Abraham and receives the tithe (Genesis 14:17-20). The Lord appeared to Abraham and communed with him prior to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:1-33). God shows His back unto Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 33:18-23). The Lord appeared to Joshua as the Captain of the host of the Lord (Joshua 5:13-15).

There are two interpretations of the appearance of Melchizedek to Abraham.

(1) Literal Interpretation: A Pre-incarnate Appearance of Christ - Some scholars believe this was an appearance of God (called a theophany), or of the pre-incarnate Christ Jesus (called a Christophany) in the Old Testament. The argument is base on his character described in Hebrews 7:3, which implies that Melchizedek had no father or mother, and made like the Son of God, leaving one to conclude a divine nature. Abraham did speak to the Lord at other times (Genesis 18:1; Genesis 18:31), so perhaps Melchizedek is a reference to an Old Testament theophany.

Genesis 18:1, “And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;”

Genesis 18:31, “And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake.”

(2) Figurative Interpretation: An Old Testament Typology of Christ - Others believe that Melchizedek was simply a man holding the office of a priest whose genealogy is not reckoned in the lineage of the Levites. This leads one to interpret Hebrews 7:3 to mean that the book of Genesis offers no genealogical record for Melchizedek regarding his priestly office. In a similar sense, Esther is said to have no father or mother (Esther 2:7), so that this phrase may be a Hebrew idiom. He was made like the Son of God only in respect to his unending priestly office, of which office the book of Genesis does not record its beginning or end.

Esther 2:7, “And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.”

Verses 1-10

The Order of Melchizedek is Superior to the Levites Because They Paid Tithes The author offers his argument for the superiority for the order of Melchizedek. After describing the character of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:1-3), he explains how he represents a superior order because Abraham (and the Levites) paid him tithes (Hebrews 7:4-10), and because this order offered a superior sacrifice through the atonement of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:11-28).

Outline Here is a proposed outline:

1. A Description of Melchizedek Hebrews 7:1-3

2. Superior to Levites Because They Paid Tithes Hebrews 7:1-10

3. Superior to Levites because it is Unending Hebrews 7:11-28

Verses 1-28

Jesus Offers a New and Better Covenant through a Superior Priesthood and Sacrifice Jesus Christ offers a new and better covenant through a superior priesthood and a superior sacrifice. Hebrews 7:1-28 explains how the superior priesthood of Jesus Christ under the order of Melchizedek offers a new and better covenant for God’s people. Hebrews 8:1 to Hebrews 10:18 explains how Jesus Christ offers a new and better covenant through a superior sacrifice.

Outline Here is a proposed outline:

1. A Superior Order of Melchizedek Hebrews 7:1-28

2. A Superior Sacrifice Hebrews 8:1 to Hebrews 10:18

Verses 4-10

The Order of Melchizedek is Superior to that of the Levites Because They Paid Tithes to Him Through Abraham While Hebrews 7:1-3 explains how Jesus Christ is identified with the order of Melchizedek, Hebrews 7:4-10 serves as an argument to explain how the order of Melchizedek is superior to that of the Levites because they paid tithes to him through Abraham. Since Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek and receive his blessing, then Melchizedek is greater than Abraham. Since Levi paid tithes in the loins of Abraham, then the Levitical order is also inferior to the order of Melchizedek (and of the priesthood of Jesus Christ).

Hebrews 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

Hebrews 7:4 Comments The author describes Abraham as “the patriarch” in Hebrews 7:4 for a very important reason. He is arguing that the order of Melchisedec is superior to that of the Levitical priesthood. Since Abraham is the patriarch of the Levitical priesthood, he is superior to the Levites, and thus, their priestly order.

Hebrews 7:5 And 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:

Hebrews 7:5 Scripture Reference - Note:

Numbers 18:21, “And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.”

Hebrews 7:6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

Hebrews 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

Hebrews 7:4-7 Comments - The Order of Melchizedek is Superior to that of the Levites - Hebrews 7:4-7 serves as a summary to explain that Melchizedek is better than Abraham, so the order of Melchizedek is better than the order of Levi.

Hebrews 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

Hebrews 7:8 “And here men that die receive tithes” Comments The men that died who received tithes is a reference to the Levites.

“but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth” - Comments The one who received tithes and lives eternally is a reference to Melchisedec.

Hebrews 7:9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

Hebrews 7:10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

Hebrews 7:10 Comments Just as Levi was in Abraham’s loins, so are we in Christ. During His death, burial, resurrection and glorification, we were in His loins.

Verses 11-28

The Order of Melchizedek is Superior to that of the Levites because it is Unending - Hebrews 7:11-28 argues the point that the order of Melchizedek is superior to that of the Levites because it is unending. This passage of Scripture serves largely as an exegesis of Psalms 110:4, “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”

God Judged Israel Because They Failed to Provide Atonement for the People Through the Mosaic Law - Had the Israelites honored the Temple service, and the Levitical priests properly performed their duties in behalf of the people, Israel would not have backslidden and God would not have judged His people. However, Israel failed to perform the Law in every aspect. God judged Israel because they failed to provide atonement for the people through the Mosaic Law.

Hebrews 7:11 If 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?

Hebrews 7:11 “If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood” Comments - The concept of perfection before God is mentioned a number of times in the epistle of Hebrews (Hebrews 6:1; Hebrews 7:19; Hebrews 7:28).

Hebrews 6:1, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection ; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,”

Hebrews 7:19, “For the law made nothing perfect , but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.”

Hebrews 7:28, “For 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.”

Hebrews 7:11 “for under it the people received the law” - Comments The people received the Law through the Levitical priesthood, beginning with Aaron and his son; but through the centuries that followed, the Levitical priests settled in towns throughout the Promised Land with the duties of teaching the people how to serve God under the Law. Unfortunately, this strategy failed because of human weakness. Hebrews 7:11 presents man’s efforts of perfection and failure before God in observing the Law.

Hebrews 7:11 “what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron” - Comments In Hebrews 7:11 the author begins to explain the need of Jesus Christ and a new priestly order.

Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

Hebrews 7:12 Comments - The Priesthood changed from a Levitical priesthood to Melchizedek. Thus, we have been placed under a new law, which is the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, and the words of Jesus Christ, His teachings.

Hebrews 7:13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

Hebrews 7:13 Comments - Judah did not serve at the altar of the Mosaic Law.

Hebrews 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

Hebrews 7:14 “For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda” Scripture References - Note similar verses:

Genesis 49:10, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”

Isaiah 11:1, “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:”

Matthew 1:3, “And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;”

Luke 3:33, “Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda ,”

Romans 1:3, “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;”

Revelation 5:5, “And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.”

Hebrews 7:15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

Hebrews 7:15 Comments - What is far more evident? That Jesus is after order of Melchizedek. See verses15-17.

Hebrews 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

Hebrews 7:16 Comments Hebrews 7:16 says Jesus’ similarity to Melchisedec was not in a systems of laws, but in the eternal nature of both of them.

Hebrews 7:17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 7:17 Old Testament Quotes in the New Testament - This is a quote from Psalms 110:4.

Psalms 110:4, “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”

This quote points out the “endless life” of Jesus as High Priest.

Hebrews 7:18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

Hebrews 7:18 “For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before” Comments - The Mosaic law proceeded Jesus.

Hebrews 7:18 “for the weakness” Comments - How was the law weak? It was weak through the carnal flesh of man (Romans 8:3, Galatians 4:9).

Romans 8:3, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:”

Galatians 4:9, “But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?”

Hebrews 7:18 “and unprofitableness thereof” Comments How was the law unprofitable? Verse19 says that the Law made nothing perfect.

Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

Hebrews 7:19 “For the law made nothing perfect” Comments - The Law made nothing perfect in regards to man’s nature and habits. The epistle of Hebrews makes a number of references to the need of perfection, and the failure of the Law to accomplish this goal of mankind (Hebrews 6:1; Hebrews 7:19; Hebrews 7:28).

Hebrews 6:1, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection ; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,”

Hebrews 7:19, “For the law made nothing perfect , but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.”

Hebrews 7:28, “For 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.”

Scripture References - Note similar verses:

Acts 13:39, “And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”

Romans 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

Galatians 2:16, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Hebrews 7:19 “but the bringing in of a better hope did” Comments - Our better hope is Jesus. Note Hebrews 6:18.

Hebrews 6:18, “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:”

Scripture Reference - Note also:

Colossians 1:27, “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

Hebrews 7:19 “by the which we draw nigh unto God” - Scripture Reference - Note:

Romans 5:2, “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Hebrews 3:6, “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”

Hebrews 3:14, “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;”

Hebrews 7:19 Comments - The Law was for exposing sin, and not for perfecting men. Note:

Galatians 3:19, “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”

Hebrews 7:20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

Hebrews 7:20 Comments - God swore by Himself (Hebrews 7:21).

Hebrews 7:21, “(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:)”.

Hebrews 7:21 (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:)

Hebrews 7:21 Comments According to Hebrews 7:28, the Levitical priests were appointed to their offices by the Mosaic Law rather than by an oath.

Hebrews 7:28, “For 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.”

Hebrews 7:20-21 Comments The Oath of the Priesthood - Jesus was made a priest with an oath, but the Levites without an oath.

Hebrews 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

Hebrews 7:22 Comments The word “surety” means “a guarantee.” To the degree Jesus was made a priest by an oath (verse 20), this is the degree that He was guaranteed to provide mankind a better covenant.

Scripture References - Note:

Hebrews 8:6, “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”

Hebrews 12:24, “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”

Hebrews 7:25 “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him” Comments Jesus is able to save εἰς τὸ παντελὲς . BDAG says the phrase εἰς τὸ παντελὲς is found in Luke 13:11 and Hebrews 7:25 and it can be used in two possible senses, that of completeness or of time. Modern English versions are divided between both senses.

(1) Completeness - As in Luke 13:11, it could mean, “completely, fully, wholly”; thus, “to the uttermost” ( ASV, ESV, KJV, Weymouth), or “completely” ( ISV, NET, NIV), or “fully” ( BBE), or “always” ( GodsWord).

(2) Time This phrase could refer to time and mean, “forever, for all time”; thus, “always” ( NCV), or “once and forever” ( NLT), or “for all time” ( NRSV, RSV), or “now and always” ( GNB), or “forever” ( DRB, CEV, Goodspeed, Murdock), or “(un)to the very end” ( Rotherham, YLT), or “from now to eternity” ( Message).

Note that Luke 13:11 is used in the negative sense of completeness, “And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.”

A similar phrase εἰς τέλος is used in the New Testament and means, “unto the end, forever.”

“seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” - Comments Jesus feels our pains and sufferings. He is at the right hand of the Father as our great High Priest, interceding for our greatest needs.

Scripture References - Note other references to Jesus’ office as our Great High Priest:

Romans 8:34, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

1 John 2:1, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”

Hebrews 7:25 Comments Our salvation is complete in Christ Jesus, from the day we were saved until the time we go to Heaven. Once we are saved, our salvation is secure in Christ Jesus. If we stumble and fall in sin, it does not make our salvation incomplete or insufficient. He blood paid for our sins, past, present, and future. However, the epistle of Hebrews warns us several times not to willing renounce our faith in Jesus Christ, at which time we walk away from our salvation and eternal life.

Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Hebrews 7:27 Who 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.

Hebrews 7:27 “ as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's” Scripture References - Note references to the Levitical system of offering sacrifices.

Leviticus 9:7, “And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded.”

Leviticus 16:6, “And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.”

Leviticus 16:11, “And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself:”

Leviticus 16:15, “Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:”

Hebrews 5:3, “And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.”

Hebrews 9:7, “But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:”

Hebrews 7:27 Comments Under the old covenant, the work of the Levitical priesthood is never done. No matter how many sacrifices were offered, there were many others left undone by the people. However, Jesus’ sacrificial offering was once and for all, cleansing all sins for all of mankind for all time.

Hebrews 7:28 For 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.

Hebrews 7:28 “For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity” Scripture Reference - Note:

Hebrews 5:1-2, “For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.”

Hebrews 7:28 “but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore” Comments While the Law came during the time of Moses, the oath came during the time of King David and is recorded in Psalms 110:4, “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”