A round loaf and a clay jug of wine on a flat rock beside a hill track at dawn, a small hill town of mud brick and stone behind.

The Book of

Hebrews 7

A king and priest met Abraham with bread and wine, and then the story fell silent. Centuries later God swore an oath about a priest like him.

28 verses≈ 4 min2 peopleBSB

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–2The SonGod's final word, above the angels
3–4:13Enter His restGreater than Moses; today, hear Him
4:14–7Our high priestTempted like us, a priest foreverChapter 7
8–10:18A new covenantOne sacrifice, once for all
10:19–13Run by faithHold on; fix your eyes on Jesus

Melchizedek and Abraham

The writer of Hebrews

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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.

In this chapter

Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.

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. But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.

And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.

Hebrews 7:7

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

Greater than Abraham

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The writer reasons from Genesis 14 step by step. Abraham, who had God’s promises, gave Melchizedek a tenth, and Melchizedek blessed him, and “the lesser is blessed by the greater.” The Levites who later collected the tenth were mortal men, but of Melchizedek “it is affirmed that he lives on.” And Levi himself, still unborn, “paid the tenth through Abraham.” So the priesthood of Melchizedek stands above the priesthood of Levi.

Question

Quick question

Melchizedek’s name and his city both tell us something about him.

What does the name Melchizedek mean?

A Superior Priesthood

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? For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.

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

by the power of an indestructible life

Hebrews 7:15–17

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

Two priesthoods

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Hebrews 7 sets the two priesthoods side by side. Aaron’s sons came from Levi, served “by a law of succession” and “without an oath,” and death ended each one’s service, so there were many. Every day they offered sacrifices, first for their own sins and then for the people’s. Jesus came from Judah, “by the power of an indestructible life,” appointed by God’s oath in Psalm 110: “You are a priest forever.” He lives forever, and He offered one sacrifice “once for all when He offered up Himself.”

Reflect

A better hope

The law was good, but “the law made nothing perfect.” In Jesus “a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.” Where are you still trying to make yourself good enough to come near? Write it down, then write beside it the name of the Priest who brings you near.

And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, 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.’”

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

Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood.

Hebrews 7:25

Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

A rocky hill outside a city wall at dawn, seen from far off, one bare, empty Roman execution stake with a rough crossbeam, small on the skyline against a breaking sky.

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. 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.

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Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Pray

He always lives to intercede

Jesus is “able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him.” Right now He “always lives to intercede for them.” Come to God through Him today. Thank Jesus that He prays for you, and bring Him the people and the burdens you cannot carry yourself.

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Hebrews 7

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A verse to carry with you

Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.

Hebrews 7:25

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