Bible Study Hebrews 7
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Hebrews 7 · WEB

Melchizedek, a Priest Forever

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For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
2to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, "king of righteousness", and then also "king of Salem", which means "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 Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the best plunder.
5They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest's office have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham,
6but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises.
7But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.
8Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives.
9We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,
10for he was yet in the body of his father when Melchizedek met him.
11Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law.
13For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
14For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
15This is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest,
16who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after the power of an endless life;
17for it is testified, "You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek."
18For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and uselessness
19(for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
20Inasmuch as he was not made priest without the taking of an oath
21(for they indeed have been made priests without an oath), but he with an oath by him that says of him, "The Lord swore and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.'"
22By so much, Jesus has become the collateral of a better covenant.
23Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death.
24But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable.
25Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.
26For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27who doesn't need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices daily, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself.
28For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath which came after the law appoints a Son forever who has been perfected.
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Summary

The author shows how Melchizedek—the mysterious priest-king who blessed Abraham—prefigures Christ's superior priesthood. Because Levi was still in Abraham's body when Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, the Levitical priesthood implicitly bowed to a greater order. Jesus, a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, was confirmed with God's oath, lives eternally, and therefore is able to save completely all who draw near to God through him.

Themes

  • The superiority of Christ's priesthood over the Levitical order
  • Melchizedek as a type pointing forward to Jesus
  • A change of priesthood requires a change of law
  • Christ's unending life guarantees an unchangeable priesthood
  • Complete salvation through Jesus' ongoing intercession

Key verses

  • Heb 7:17 — “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
  • Heb 7:25 — “Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.”
  • Heb 7:26 — “For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.”
  • Heb 7:27 — “For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself.”

Context & background

The letter to the Hebrews was written c. AD 60-70 to Jewish Christians (likely in Jerusalem, modern Israel, or Rome, modern Italy) who were tempted to revert to Judaism under pressure. Melchizedek was a priest-king of Salem (later Jerusalem, modern Israel) in Abraham's day (Genesis 14), and Psalm 110 had prophesied a coming priest-king after his order. The Levitical priesthood operated in the temple at Jerusalem, with priests descended from Aaron of the tribe of Levi—but Jesus came from Judah, making any priestly claim on his part impossible under the old law. The author's argument rests on showing that God himself had always intended a different and greater priesthood.

Cross-references

  • 1 Timothy 2:5 — One mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus
  • Genesis 14:18-20 — Melchizedek blesses Abraham and receives tithes from him
  • Hebrews 5:6-10 — Earlier introduction of Christ as priest after Melchizedek's order
  • Psalm 110:4 — "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek"
  • Romans 8:34 — Christ intercedes for us at the right hand of God

Check your reading

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  1. Observe

    What is the meaning of the name "Melchizedek" given in verse 2?

  2. Observe

    According to verse 3, Melchizedek is described as being "without father, without mother, without genealogy." What conclusion does the author draw from this?

  3. Interpret

    Why does the author argue that Levi "paid tithes" to Melchizedek through Abraham (vv. 9-10)?

  4. Interpret

    What does it mean that Jesus "is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him" (v. 25)?

  5. Apply

    Jesus is described as "holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens" (v. 26). How should this description of the high priest who represents you before God affect your confidence when you pray?

  6. Apply

    The Levitical priests were "hindered from continuing by death" while Jesus "holds his priesthood unchangeable, because he lives forever" (vv. 23-24). Where in your life are you tempted to trust in systems, routines, or human intermediaries that are temporary, rather than in Christ's unchanging intercession?

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