BSB HEB Chapter 7

Melchizedek and Abraham

(Genesis 14:17–24)

7 This Melchizedek [was] king of Salem [and] priest of God Most High.[fn] He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham apportioned to [him] a tenth of everything. First, [his name] means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father [or] mother [or] genealogy, without beginning of days [or] end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.

4 Consider how great [Melchizedek was]: Even the patriarch Abraham gave [him] a tenth of the plunder. 5 Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they [too] are descended from Abraham. 6 But [Melchizedek], who did not trace his descent from [Levi], collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.

8 In the case [of the Levites], mortal men collect the tenth; but in the case [of Melchizedek], it is affirmed that he lives on. 9 And so to speak, Levi, who collects [the] tenth, paid [the] tenth through Abraham. 10 For when Melchizedek met Abraham, [Levi] was still in the loin of [his] ancestor.

A Superior Priesthood

11 Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood ( for on this basis the people received [the] law), why [was there] still need [for] another priest to appear—[one] in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? 12 For [when] the priesthood is changed, [the] law must be changed as well.

13 [He] of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For [it is] clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.

15 And [ this point ] is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become [a priest] not by a law of succession, but by [the] power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is testified:

“You [are] a priest forever

in the order of Melchizedek.”[fn]

18 So the former commandment is set aside because it [was] weak and useless 19 ( for the law made nothing perfect ), and a better hope [is] introduced, by which we draw near to God.

20 And none of this [happened] without an oath. For [others] became priests without an oath, 21 but [Jesus became 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.’ ”[fn]

22 Because of this [oath], Jesus has become [the] guarantee of a better covenant.

23 Now there have been many [other] priests, since death prevented them from continuing [in office]. 24 But because [Jesus] lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore He is able to save completely[fn] those who draw near to God through Him, [since He] always lives to intercede for them.

26 Such a high priest truly befits us—[One who is] holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 [Unlike] the [other] high priests, [He] does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for [His] own sins and then for [the sins] of the people; He [sacrificed for sin] once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which [came] after the law, [appointed] [the] Son, who has been made perfect forever.