Hebrews 7 (NET)

The Nature of Melchizedek’s Priesthood

1 Now this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him.1 2 To him2 also Abraham apportioned a tithe apportioned a tithe3 of everything.4 His name first means5 king of righteousness, then king of Salem of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, he has neither beginning of days nor end of life but is like the son of God, and he remains a priest for all time. 4 But see how great he must be, if6 Abraham the patriarch gave him a tithe7 of his plunder. 5 And those of the sons of Levi who receive the priestly office8 have authorization according to the law to collect a tithe from the people, that is, from their fellow countrymen,9 although they too are descendants of Abraham.10 6 But Melchizedek11 who does not share their ancestry12 collected a tithe13 from Abraham and blessed14 the one who possessed the promise. 7 Now without dispute the inferior is blessed by the superior, 8 and in one case tithes are received by mortal men, while in the other by him who is affirmed to be alive. 9 And it could be said that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid a tithe through Abraham. 10 For he was still in his ancestor Abraham’s loins15 when Melchizedek met him.

Jesus and the Priesthood of Melchizedek

11 So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthood – for on that basis16 the people received the law – what further need would there have been for another priest to arise, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in Aaron’s order? 12 For when the priesthood changes, a change in the law must come17 as well. 13 Yet the one these things are spoken about belongs to18 a different tribe, and no one from that tribe19 has ever officiated at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord is descended from Judah, yet Moses said nothing about priests in connection with that tribe. 15 And this is even clearer if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest not by a legal regulation about physical descent20 but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For here is the testimony about him:21 “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”22 18 On the one hand a former command is set aside23 because it is weak and useless,24 19 for the law made nothing perfect. On the other hand a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 20 And since25 this was not done without a sworn affirmation – for the others have become priests without a sworn affirmation, 21 but Jesus26 did so27 with a sworn affirmation by the one who said to him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever’”28 – 22 accordingly Jesus has become the guarantee29 of a better covenant. 23 And the others30 who became priests were numerous, because death prevented them31 from continuing in office,32 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently since he lives forever. 25 So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 26 For it is indeed fitting for us to have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need to do every day what those priests do, to offer sacrifices first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people, since he did this in offering himself once for all. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men subject to weakness,33 but the word of solemn affirmation that came after the law appoints a son made perfect forever.

17:1sn A series of quotations from Gen 14:17-19. 27:2tn Grk “to whom,” continuing the description of Melchizedek. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation. 37:2tn Or “a tenth part.” 47:2sn A quotation from Gen 14:20. 57:2tn Grk “first being interpreted,” describing Melchizedek. 67:4tn Grk “to whom.” 77:4tn Or “a tenth part.” 87:5tn Or “the priesthood.” 97:5tn Grk “from their brothers.” See BDAG 18-19 s.v. ἀδελφός 2.b. 107:5tn Grk “have come from the loins of Abraham.” 117:6tn Grk “the one”; in the translation the referent (Melchizedek) has been specified for clarity. 127:6tn Grk “is not descended from them.” 137:6tn Or “a tenth part.” 147:6sn The verbs “collected…and blessed” emphasize the continuing effect of the past actions, i.e., Melchizedek’s importance. 157:10tn Grk “in the loins of his father” (a reference to Abraham). The name “Abraham” has been repeated in the translation at this point (cf. v. 9) in order to clarify the referent (i.e., what ancestor was in view).sn The point of the phrase still in his ancestor’s loins is that Levi was as yet unborn, still in his ancestor Abraham’s body. Thus Levi participated in Abraham’s action when Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek. 167:11tn Grk “based on it.” 177:12tn Grk “of necessity a change in the law comes to pass.” 187:13tn Grk “shares in.” 197:13tn Grk “from which no one.” 207:16tn Grk “a law of a fleshly command.” 217:17tn Grk “for he/it is witnessed that.” 227:17sn A quotation from Ps 110:4 (see Heb 5:6 and 6:20). 237:18tn Grk “the setting aside of a former command comes to pass.” 247:18tn Grk “because of its weakness and uselessness.” 257:20sn The Greek text contains an elaborate comparison between v. 20a and v. 22, with a parenthesis (vv. 20b-21) in between; the comparison is literally, “by as much as…by so much” or “to the degree that…to that same degree.” 267:21tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 277:21tn The words “did so” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. 287:21sn A quotation from Ps 110:4 (see Heb 5:6, 6:20, and 7:17). 297:22tn Or “surety.” 307:23tn Grk “they on the one hand” in contrast with “he on the other hand” in v. 24. 317:23tn Grk “they were prevented by death.” 327:23tn Grk “from continuing” (the words “in office” are supplied for clarity). 337:28sn See Heb 5:2 where this concept was introduced.