Chapter 7:1-28

The Epistle To The Hebrews: A Study Guide

By Pastor James P. Vold

Hebrews 7:1-28

7 For this Melchizedek, was king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” then also king of Salem meaning “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 the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. 5And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; 6but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better.8Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 9Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, 10for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. 11Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment , but according to the power of an endless life. 17For He testifies: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” 18For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath 21(for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek’ ”), 22by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. 23And there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them. 26For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.
(Heb. 7:1-28 NKJ)

In chapters 5 and 6 we noted Christ’s superiority to Aaron and the contrast developed in:

A Summmary Identification
The Preparation For The Priesthood
Problems With People
Promises To The People

E. The Contrast Between The Order Of Aaron And The Order Of Melchizedek: 7:1-2

In this discussion of the Levitical priesthood we observe the following:

1) The Description of Melchizedek: 1-3

He is called a king of Salem. Salem means peace. He is also called a priest of “the Most High God.” That title of deity takes us back to Genesis 14:17-24 and reminds us that God is the owner and operator of both heaven and earth. The name Melchizedek suggests “king of Righteousness.” Melchizedek is a king-priest serving the One who controls the entire universe.

This remarkable king-priest met victorious Abraham and blessed him and received tithes from him. He is said to be (as to record) without father or mother, without genealogy and with neither beginning of days or end of life. In this he is said to resemble the Son of God with an abiding priesthood.

Some have supposed that Melchizedek was a pre-incarnate theophany (manifestation of God). That poses problems. No other Old Testament theophany had a name. None were seen in a permanent role. It is best to see Melchizedek as a priest whose priesthood was not dependent upon ancestry. This is in sharp contrast with Levitical priesthood. Melchizedek, the historic king-priest is an apt illustration of Christ’s superior priesthood.

2) The Greatness of the Melchizedek Priesthood: 4-10

This greatness is seen in that Abraham presented a tithe to him and received a blessing from him. Verse 7 states the principle that the lesser is blessed by the better or greater.

Thus Melchizedek is seen to be greater than Abraham and his descendents, including Levi. Since Levi proceeded from Abraham he could not be greater than Abraham, and since Melchizedek is greater than Abraham, his priesthood must be greater than the priesthood of Abraham’s descendent, Levi.

There is another startling factor in this passage. It is that comment that Levi, yet unborn, was implicated in (connected with) Abraham’s actions (vs 9,10). Here is the principle of identification with the forbearer. Carried to its fullness it shows how we are involved with Adam’s trangression and, as Paul argues (Rom. 6), when we are joined to Christ by regeneration (Ephes. 2:5), we are implicated in all that Christ did and has.

One additional observation is in order. The seed of humanity flows by generation. Personality is not added to the baby after conception nor bestowed upon it by the birth process. The whole person is the product of generation. Thus unborn babies are true persons and all abortions involve human beings.

3) The Change of Priesthood Indicates a Change of Covenant: 11-23

Since Jesus came from the tribe of Judah (vs 14), He could not be a Levitical priest. This indicates that the Levitical priesthood has been replaced. It was replaced because it was ineffectual, that is, not able to produce the desired effect (vs. 11). The change of priesthood indicates a change of covenant which established the priesthood (vs12). The conclusion of the argument is that Jesus, a priest by oath and not by lineage, has replaced the Levitical priesthood and rendered the Old Covenant (given to Moses at Sinai) invalid. It is summed up in verse 22: Jesus is made the surety (guarantor) of a better Covenant.

4) The New Priesthood is Effective: 23-28

It is effective because its operations are not interrupted by the death of the priest (vs 23,24). This means that Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God by Him (vs 25). He is just the priest we need because of His character (vs 26), His sacrifice (vs 26), His authority (vs 28).

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