Tyndale Open Study NotesHebrews 7

This section proclaims the superiority of Melchizedek’s priesthood over that of the Levites, based primarily on Genesis 14:17–20.

Hebrews 7 expands on the idea from 5:1–10: Jesus is chosen as a high priest like Melchizedek.

• king of Salem: See Genesis 14:18 and the related study note.

• and priest of God Most High: Melchizedek was both a king and a priest, unlike the Hebrew kings. This role foreshadowed the Messiah.

• returning from the slaughter of the kings: See Genesis 14:1–17.

• Abraham gave a tenth to the Lord by giving it to Melchizedek, his priest. This act foreshadows the giving of tithes under the law (Leviticus 27:30, 32) and is important in the author's argument (Hebrews 7:4).

• Melchi- (Hebrew melek) means king.

• -zedek (Hebrew tsedeq) means justice or righteousness.

• Salem (Hebrew shalom) means peace. Rabbis often highlighted the theological meaning of a biblical figure's name by linking it to other Hebrew terms.

• We have no record of Melchizedek’s family, which is important because the Levitical priesthood required ancestry. He seems to appear from nowhere, as if his life has no beginning or end. The author interprets Genesis 14:17–20 with Psalm 110:4, seeing Melchizedek as symbolizing an eternal priesthood.

• He remains a priest forever, unlike a Levite whose priesthood ends at death (Hebrews 7:8, 23).

• like the Son of God: Melchizedek was not an Old Testament appearance of Jesus. Instead, his priesthood and the priesthood of Jesus share similar traits, as noted in Psalm 110:4.

This section (Hebrews 7:1–10) asks us to think about how important Melchizedek was by comparing him to Levi's descendants. Melchizedek was so significant that Abraham gave him a tenth of the battle spoils (Genesis 14:20).

• Collecting the tithe was both a duty and an honor for the priests under the law of Moses (Numbers 18:21–32).

• from the people: This refers to all the people of Israel.

• Although Melchizedek was not a descendant of Levi, he collected a tenth from Abraham, the ancestor of the Levites. This shows Melchizedek’s greater status over both Abraham and his descendants, including the priests (Hebrews 7:8–10).

Melchizedek blessed Abraham (Genesis 14:19–20). This blessing is like one a superior gives to a subordinate, such as a father blessing his son or a priest blessing his people (Genesis 49:1–28; Numbers 6:22–27). The ability to give a blessing shows that Melchizedek is greater than Abraham.

One reason Melchizedek is greater than the Levites is his “immortality” (7:3). The Levites were men who died, but Scripture says Melchizedek continues to live.

And so to speak: The author knows that saying the Levites paid a tithe to Melchizedek is not literally true, since Levi was not born yet. Abraham represented all his descendants when he paid his tithe to Melchizedek. Levi was connected to Abraham because he came from Abraham's lineage. All of Abraham's descendants were united with him. So, his action could be seen as their action.

After explaining why Melchizedek is greater than the Levites (Hebrews 7:1–10), the author now argues that Jesus, our high priest like Melchizedek, is also greater than the Levitical priests of the old covenant.

In the Letter to the Hebrews, perfection means achieving a desired goal rather than being flawless (see study note on 5:9). The priesthood under the old covenant could not fulfill all of God's intentions for a covenant relationship with his people. This is why God needed to create a different priesthood.

According to the law given to Moses, the appointed priests were descendants of Aaron (Exodus 28:41–43; 29:9). The priesthood changed because Jesus is now the high priest. So, God changed the law about priests.

belonged to a different tribe: Under the old covenant, priests came from the tribe of Levi, but Jesus was from the tribe of Judah.

This change in how God appoints priests (Hebrews 7:11–14) is clear through Jesus being appointed as a different kind of priest. Like Melchizedek, Jesus is a priest forever. His resurrection from the dead shows he has the power of an indestructible life. Since his priesthood, in the order of Melchizedek, is superior to the Levites' (7:1–10), he replaces them as priest.

• The previous rule for becoming a priest was being part of Aaron's family (see Exodus 28:41–43).

• set aside: See Hebrews 7:15–17.

• because it was weak and useless: This is explained in the following verses (7:19–28).

The priests under the old covenant were weak because they died, which ended their service, and they were also sinful. In contrast, Jesus is the new high priest. He never sinned and he defeated death, so his priesthood is permanent and more effective.

the law made nothing perfect: The law could not completely remove sin or guarantee eternal salvation. God achieved these things through the superior high priesthood of Jesus.

Because of this, believers have confidence in a better hope and a restored relationship with God. They can draw near to God without fear of condemnation.

• This new system is about how God chooses a priest.

• God’s serious promise is shown in the quote from Psalm 110:4.

In legal terms, a guarantee means taking responsibility for another person’s debt or obligation. The guarantor accepts the risk if the other person fails.

Because God confirmed this promise with an oath, Jesus has a priesthood that cannot be challenged or undone. As a result, our covenant relationship with God is secure. Having Jesus as the guarantee makes the new covenant better.

The old covenant needed many priests because each one eventually died. In contrast, the priesthood of Jesus is permanent. This term refers to something unchangeable, like the sun's daily path across the sky or the regular change of seasons.

• able to save completely: Since Jesus lives forever, the salvation he offers also lasts forever. To approach an eternal God, we need an eternal priest.

• Jesus will intercede or appeal to God for us as our high priest of the new covenant, and his intercession never ends (see Hebrews 9:11–28; 10:21–22; Romans 8:31–34).

• Jesus is free from sin and different from sinners (see Hebrews 4:15). This makes him better than the old covenant priests, who had to handle their own sins and those of the people (see also 5:1–3).

• He holds the highest place of honor in heaven, affirming his unique role as high priest (see 2:9; 5:9; Philippians 2:5–11).

• once for all: This means once, never to be repeated, not once for all people.

• This verse summarizes the discussion in 5:1–3 about Christ's role as High Priest (5:1–10; 7:1–28).

•  Limited by human weakness refers primarily to human sinfulness and mortality.

• God appointed his Son, Jesus, with an oath (see Psalm 110:4, which is important for understanding Hebrews 7:11–28).

• In Hebrews, the term perfect means complete or mature (see 2:10; 5:9; 7:11; 9:9–11); the Son, through his sacrificial death and resurrection, has become completely qualified to serve as our eternal High Priest, and his priesthood lasts forever.