Hebrews 7

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 7 of 13

1 For this “Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God,” the one having met Abraham “returning from the slaughter” “of the kings,” “and having blessed him”;

2 to whom also Abraham “divided a tenth from all” (first being interpreted, king of righteousness; and then also king of Salem, which is, king of peace, Gen. 14:17-20

3 without father, without mother, without descent, nor beginning of days, nor having end of life, but having been made like the Son of God, he remains a priest in perpetual continuity).

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Chapter Summary

Christ Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek.

Key Greek Words

ἱερεύς priest G2409
ἱερωσύνη priesthood G2420
τάξις order G5010
δεκάτη tithe, tenth G1181
ὁρκωμοσία oath-taking G3728
διαθήκη covenant G1242

People & Context

Melchizedek

King of Salem and priest of the Most High God; met and blessed Abraham, prototype of Christ's priesthood.

Jesus

Risen out of Judah, priest forever after Melchizedek's order, Surety of a better covenant.

Abraham

The patriarch who gave Melchizedek a tenth of the spoils and was blessed by him.

Levi

Ancestor of the tithe-receiving priests, said to have paid tithes through Abraham while still in his loins.

Aaron

Head of the Levitical priestly order, contrasted with the order of Melchizedek.

Moses

Spoke nothing concerning priesthood as to the tribe of Judah from which the Lord arose.

Timeline

Melchizedek Greater Than Abraham

Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the Most High God, met Abraham and blessed him. Abraham gave him a tenth. He is without genealogy, without beginning or end, made like the Son of God, a priest in perpetual continuity.

Hebrews 7:1-3
Levi Paid Tithes Through Abraham

The Levitical priests receive tithes but are mortal; Melchizedek is witnessed as living. Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in his father's loins when Melchizedek met him.

Hebrews 7:4-10
Change of Priesthood, Change of Law

If perfection came through the Levitical priesthood, there would be no need for another priest after Melchizedek's order. A change of priesthood necessitates a change of law. Christ arose from Judah, a tribe Moses said nothing about regarding priesthood.

Hebrews 7:11-14

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