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The Blue Letter Bible

Hebrews 7 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

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The Priestly Order of Melchizedek

(Gen 14:17–20 )
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:1 - For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:2 - and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:3 - He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:4 - See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils!
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:5 - And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers,[fn] though these also are descended from Abraham.
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:6 - But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:7 - It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior.
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:8 - In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives.
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:9 - One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham,
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:10 - for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

Jesus Compared to Melchizedek

(Psa 110:4 )
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:11 - Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:12 - For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:13 - For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:14 - For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:15 - This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek,
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:16 - who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:17 - For it is witnessed of him,
“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:18 - For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:19 - (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:20 - And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath,
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:21 - but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:
“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
‘You are a priest forever.’”
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:22 - This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:23 - The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:24 - but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:25 - Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost[fn] those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:26 - For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:27 - He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
Unchecked Copy BoxHeb 7:28 - For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
ESV Footnotes
Or brothers and sisters
That is, completely; or at all times
ESV

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

See detailed copyright information.

For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.

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Hebrews Chapter 7 — Additional Translations: