Hebrews 7:1-28

Hebrews 7:1-3:

^7:1For this Melchisedek, king of Salem, priest of God the Highest, the (one) having met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and having blessed him, ^.2and Abraham distributed a tenth from all to him – firstly indeed (his name) being interpreted ‘king of righteousness’ but next also king of Salem which is ‘king of peace’, ^.3without-father, without-mother, without-genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor completion of life, but having been likened-from² the son of God he remains a priest continuously.

Continuing on from the last verse of ‘chapter 6’:

In truth, this Melchisedek, king of Salem, priest of God the Highest (the Most-High God, God the most elevated, the most exalted)…

the one who came to meet together with Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings (Abraham was coming back from the battle wherein he cut-down the kings in opposition to God defeating them; refer to Genesis chapter 14),
and who blessed him (he spoke well to Abraham, he said words that are good regarding him acknowledging and confirming to Abraham that he had received and was continuing to receive the effects of what God had previously spoken to and regarding Abraham which was good for him),
and Abraham distributed a tenth from all to him (he divided, imparted, apportioned the tenth part of everything he had to Melchisedek)…

…firstly indeed the name Melchisedek is interpreted ‘king of righteousness’ (explained in the Hebrew language as the righteous king, the one who is just and rules with justness, justice)…

…but next also the title king of Salem is interpreted ‘king of peace’ (the peaceful king, the one who is peaceful and rules with peaceful wholeness)…

without-father (fatherless, no record of who his father was),
without-mother (motherless, no record of who his mother was),
without-genealogy (genealogy-less, no record of his ancestry, no human qualifications to entitle him to hold a particular office or give him a basis for having a certain standing before God or people during his life)…

…having neither beginning of days (he doesn’t have a starting day to his priesthood) nor completion of life (and he doesn’t have an ending of his life, no record of his death recorded and so his priesthood is not recorded as being completed)…

but Melchisedek was likened from the son of God (he was caused to be similar to God’s son because this likeness originated from what God spoke regarding His son recorded in Genesis 3:15; Melchisedek was a type/pattern of God’s son), the truth of which has not changed regarding Melchisedek – and because of this – he remains a priest continuously (he stays being a priest for the length of time carried or brought through without any interruption).

This does NOT say that Melchisedek never died but there is no record of his death and therefore he had no successor. Melchisedek, who was a man of flesh and blood, was a type of God’s son. As we continue reading, we will learn more about the likeness. God’s son, the resurrected Jesus who is our Lord and Christ, cannot die having received his new body with holy spirit life.

[Reference: Genesis chapter 14; Acts 7:48; I Corinthians 15:45 and 47; Ephesians 2:14; Hebrews 4:14, 5:6.]

Verses 4-10:

^.4But you must view-with-attention how-great this (priest was) to whom the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth out-from the extreme-items. ^.5Even the (men) indeed out-from the sons of Levi receiving the priesthood have a commandment to receive-tithes-from the people, this is, their brothers, according to the law, (these priests) even-indeed having come-out² from the loin of Abraham – ^.6but the (priest) not having-genealogy out-from them received-a-tenth² from Abraham, and he blessed² the (person) having the promises; ^.7but without all contradiction the lesser is being blessed by the stronger; ^.8and here indeed men dying receive a tenth – but there he is witnessed-of that he lives; ^.9and so-to-say, by means of Abraham even Levi the (person) receiving a tenth gave-a-tenth² ^.10for he used-to-be yet in the loin of (his) father when Melchisedek met him.

But you must contemplate with your minds how-great this priest was (what a great degree, how large with importance, the magnitude of this priest) to whom the chief, first, ruling father Abraham willingly presented a tenth out-from the extreme-items (a tenth taken from the tip-top best parts, the cream of the crop, the top of the heap, the prime-cuts of what he gained having defeated the kings in battle).

On the one hand: indeed the descendants of Levi who receive the priesthood (the ones taking what God gave them which was the responsibility of performing priestly service) have a commandment to receive tithes (to take a tenth part away) from the people who are their brothers, which is done in accordance with the law of Moses. These priests emphatically came out from the loin area of Abraham (his loins, they are descendants of Abraham because he was one of Levi’s ancestors) and that lineage has not changed.

But on the other hand: the priest (Melchisedek), who does not have the same genealogy as the sons of Levi, received a tenth from Abraham, and this fact has not changed,
- and he blessed the person (Abraham) to whom God made the promises (the proclamations, declarations of the messages of God’s intention), and this fact has not changed either.

Without any controversy the lesser is being blessed by the stronger. There is no legitimate way to speak against (anti, oppose) the truth and fact that the man in a smaller position (a rank of less degree, Abraham) is being blessed by the man in a stronger position (a rank that has comparatively more force with exerted-power, Melchisedek).

On the one hand: here indeed it is men who are dying who receive a tenth (the priests descended from Levi were in the process of dying while they were taking the tenth from the people as is recorded in the writings).

But on the other hand: there he is witnessed-of that he lives (Melchisedek is attested of by the writings that he is alive, in so much that there is no record of his death and another priest taking his position instead; he is a type/pattern of the Christ as he stays being a priest).

And so it can be said that by means of (through) Abraham, emphatically Levi (representing his tribe from which came all of his priestly descendants) while he was receiving a tenth (taking a tenth from the people) had already given a tenth, and this truth has not changed. Levi was in the loin area (loins, reproductive area) of his father when Melchisedek met Abraham. Levi’s forefather Abraham had not yet fathered Isaac who fathered Jacob/Israel who fathered Levi who fathered his sons.

[Reference: Genesis 11:27-14:24; Numbers chapters 3 and 18; Acts 2:29, 7:2-9; Galatians 3:16-18.]

Verses 11 and 12:

^.11Therefore indeed if completion used-to-be by means of the Levitical priesthood – for the people were legislated² on it – what need yet (was there for) a different priest to stand-up according to the arrangement of Melchisedek and not to be said according to the arrangement of Aaron? ^.12For (during) the priesthood being caused-to-change, a change of law also comes-to-pass out-from constraint.

Following-on logically, indeed:

…if completion (perfection, the state of having ultimately arrived at the ending-issue, the point of accomplishment and performance having reached and fulfilled God’s intended state for mankind) was existing during a past time through the Levitical priesthood (priestly office and responsibility)…

for the people were legislated and continue legislated on it (the truth is that the people of Israel had laws put/placed on them during that past time while the Levitical priesthood was in force, in effect; the law of Moses and the Levitical priesthood were instituted and practiced in conjunction with each other, that law could not have been given without that priesthood)

…what necessity was still there for a different priest to stand up (a priest of a different kind, another sort of priest to stand up, to be resurrected, being a priest)…

according to the arrangement of Melchisedek (in accordance, conformity, and proportion to/with what is arranged in ordered sequence, the rank as in the military sense, the arranged class or group of Melchisedek)
and not spoken of by God as being according to the arrangement of Aaron (who was the first Levitical priest and had the duties of a chief, first, ruling priest)?

In fact, while the priesthood (priestly office and responsibility) is being caused to change (made to alter its position, caused to put itself in another place, being transported from where it was put into a different arrangement)…

a change of law also comes-to-pass out-from constraint (in addition an alteration of the law comes into being, a change of law becomes necessary due to applied-force, a change of law must also happen).

[Reference: Exodus chapter 28 (verse 36); Leviticus 8:12; Numbers 6:22-26; 16:40; Psalm 110:4, 133:2; Romans 8:1-4; Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 5:4-6 and 10, 6:20.]

Paul next gives a comparison so that there is no doubt but that we know that the completion did NOT come to pass by means of the Levitical priesthood, and it was necessary to change the law governing God’s people.

Verses 13 and 14:

^.13For on whom these-things are said shared of a different tribe from which not-one-person had-attention to the sacrificial-altar, ^.14for (it is) very-clear that our Lord arose² out-from Judah into which tribe Moses uttered-forth nothing concerning priests;

In truth, it is the one (Jesus) relating down on whom these-things are spoken by God who shared of (who partook once during a past time in association with others of the same object which was) a tribe of a different kind, from which no-one had attention to the sacrificial-altar (nobody belonging to this clan of Judah held or turned his mind, thoughts, attention towards/for the purpose of attending to the altar on-which to offer sacrifices to God according to His instructions).

It is very clear (plain to see in front of us, evident before us, obvious) that our Lord (referring to Jesus, as in Hebrews 2:3) rose up originating from Judah, and this fact has not changed. However, Moses spoke nothing concerning priests (not one thing about the priestly line) in connection with the tribe of Judah.

[Reference: Genesis 49:8-12; Matthew 1:2-17; Luke 3:23-38; Hebrews 13:20.]

Verses 15-17:

^.15and it is more-exceeding yet fully-clear since a different priest stands-up according to the likeness of Melchisedek, ^.16who did not become² (a priest) according to a law of fleshy commandment but according to (the) ability of un-disuniteable life, ^.17for he is witnessed-of that “You are a priest into the age according to the arrangement of Melchisedek.”

In addition, it is more abundant (comparatively more than above the number or measure already attained, in excess of what was just written about) yet fully clear (intensely plain to see, extremely evident and obvious) – why? – since a priest of a different kind to the Levitical priesthood stands up according to the likeness (similar quality, similitude, similarity) of Melchisedek.

This priest did not become and continues not to be a priest according to a law of fleshy commandment (a law that consists of a command that pertains to flesh, which is the physical body with its soul/breath life, his ancestry, line of human descent) – but on the contrary – this priest became and continues to be a priest according to (in accordance with, in conformity and proportion to)…

the ability (able-power, capability) of
- un-disuniteable life (life that cannot be disunited, life that will not disintegrate, life that cannot be dismembered, life that cannot be loosened apart so as dissolve).

In truth, he (Jesus) is presently attested of by God that…

“You (singular ‘you’ with emphasis) are a priest continuing into the age (for the duration of life, lifetime, for/throughout the age, referring to the specific age that began when God resurrected him and that will not end because God caused His son to be ‘priest’ and the son will remain a priest) – what kind of priest? –
- according to the arrangement of Melchisedek” (in accordance, conformity, and proportion to/with what is arranged in ordered sequence, the rank as in the military sense, the arranged class or group of Melchisedek).”

[Reference: Genesis 14:18; Numbers 3:2-10; Psalm 110:4; II Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 5:6.]

Verses 18-22:

^.18For a rejection of (the) commandment leading-forth comes-to-pass because-of its weakness and un-profitableness ^.19for the law makes nothing complete – but (the) leading-in-upon of (the) stronger hope (comes to pass) by means of which we come-near to God, ^.20even according to as-much-as not without a sworn-oath; for indeed the (men) without a sworn-oath are having become² priests – ^.21but the (man) with a sworn-oath (became a priest) by means of the (One) saying towards him, “(The) Lord swore and He will not be caused-to-repent, ‘You are a priest into the age’”; ^.22according to so-much Jesus became² (the) surety of (the) stronger covenant.

In truth, a rejection (displacement, a putting away from us so as not to be enforceable anymore) of the commandment leading-forth happens. A rejection of the commandment that was preceding people (going before them, in front of people leading them, showing them the way to go) comes into being. It becomes a fact that it is rejected. Why? On account of the commandment’s…

weakness (the state of being without strength, feebleness, infirmness) and
un-profitableness (without benefit, the state of lacking advantage)
- for the law makes nothing complete (the fact is that the law of Moses causes not one thing to reach and arrive at its ending-issue, to be made perfect, to arrive at its ultimate state of completeness).

But on the other hand, the leading-in-upon of the stronger hope comes to pass (the introduction of the stronger expectation of a future event coming to pass happens). The hope that has comparatively more force with exerted power now leads the way going on top over and above the old and replacing it. It is by means of (through) this stronger hope that we presently and actively draw near to God (we come close to Him, we approach Him). Who comes near to God? We do – holy-people who have received the spirit of Christ in us and the Lord Jesus Christ is our Lord (see Hebrews 3:1, 6 and 14, 4:3, 6:4, 10 and 18-20).

This happened emphatically according (in accordance, conformity, proportion) to such a degree (as big an amount) as NOT being without a sworn-oath. This was not done apart from an oath being sworn regarding it.

In truth, indeed the men who are without a sworn-oath are in the position of having become priests and that has not changed regarding the Levitical priesthood from Aaron onwards (refer to verse 11 above).

But the man with a sworn-oath became and continues to be a priest by means of the One (through, by way of God) saying towards him (with a purposed reference to him)…

“The Lord (God, Yahweh) swore and He will not be caused to repent (He will not be made to change His concern or purpose, will not regret, will not change His mind's purpose knowing the consequences of His action)…
- ‘You are a priest into the age’” (as verse 17 above);

…according (in accordance, conformity, proportion) to this much of a degree (such a definite amount) Jesus became and continues to be the surety of the stronger covenant.

Jesus became the surety (bondsman, the guarantor and guarantee, the security, surety bond) as to the terms and conditions of the binding agreement that has comparatively more force with exerted-power than the old covenant. He came to pass to be the priest and the sacrifice offered to God by himself on behalf of himself and all the people. This truth does not change because God swore that he is a priest into the age according to the arrangement of Melchisedek.

This stronger covenant has replaced the former covenant of law and circumcision. The new stronger covenant came into effect at the moment that complete redemption and salvation was made available to mankind on the day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2) when God by means of the Lord Jesus Christ shed forth the gift of holy spirit. This holy spirit-life is the deposit, token, earnest received by all who believe what God says regarding Himself and His son, the Lord Jesus Christ – Romans 10:8-10.

The word translated "covenant" refers to a binding agreement. It is used for the Hebrew word that basically means "to cut" because living animals were killed and sometimes cut in two shedding their blood in preparation of and showing agreement with making the covenant – either conditionally between two parties whereby both parties would walk between the killed victims confirming the covenant and demonstrating that each party bound himself to complete his commitments and that he was worthy of death if he did not keep his side of the covenant; or unconditionally as by God with Abraham recorded in Genesis 15, the obligation being on God to fulfill this covenant. See also Genesis chapter 17; Jeremiah 34:18-20; Acts 3:25; and Hebrews 6:13-15, 9:22, and 12:24. A covenant does not always involve a sacrifice but may be demonstrated by a sign, e.g. Genesis 9:9-17.

To ‘swear’ means: to affirm or deny using an oath, making the outcome of what you say dependent upon the sworn oath. An oath was used to prove something as being undeniable, like a fence that fences-in what is spoken, a confinement, restraint, enclosure of a promise or declaration regarding what you will do, or what is true, etc.

As we continue reading in this Book of Hebrews we will learn the details of how this stronger covenant came to pass.

It is interesting to notice that the usage of the Greek word translated “stronger” in verse 19 is also used in verses 7 and 22 of this chapter, and in Hebrews 1:4, 6:9, 8:6, 9:23, 10:34, 11:16, 35, 40, and 12:24.

Rereading verses 18-22:

^.18For a rejection of (the) commandment leading-forth comes-to-pass because-of its weakness and un-profitableness ^.19for the law makes nothing complete – but (the) leading-in-upon of (the) stronger hope (comes to pass) by means of which we come-near to God, ^.20even according to as-much-as not without a sworn-oath; for indeed the (men) without a sworn-oath are having become² priests – ^.21but the (man) with a sworn-oath (became a priest) by means of the (One) saying towards him, “(The) Lord swore and He will not be caused-to-repent, ‘You are a priest into the age’”; ^.22according to so-much Jesus became² (the) surety of (the) stronger covenant.

[Reference: Psalm 110:4; Matthew 26:28; Romans 8:3; I Corinthians 11:25; II Corinthians 3:6; Galatians 2:16 and chapters 3 and 4; Hebrews 6:18-20.]

Verses 23-28:

^.23And indeed many (men) are having become² priests because-of being hindered by death to remain-alongside (the people) – ^.24but because-of him remaining into the age he has the un-stepping-aside priesthood, ^.25from-which also he is able to save into the completeness-of-all the (people) coming-towards God by means of him always living with-a-view to intercede on behalf of them. ^.26For this-kind-of chief-priest also used-to become us – (the chief-priest who is) holy, without-badness, unstained, having been separated² away-from the sinners, and having become higher of the heavens, ^.27who does not have a daily constraint, wholly-as the (Levitical) chief-priests, to offer-up formerly on behalf of (his) own sins next the (sins) of the people, for this he did once having offered-up himself. ^.28For the law constitutes men having weakness priests, but the word of the sworn-oath, the (sworn-oath) after the law, (constitutes the) son, having been made-complete², (priest) into the age.

In addition, indeed the reason that a lot of men became priests, and this continued to be the case, is on account of the fact that those men were being hindered (blocked, prevented) by death to stay beside the people in order to continue performing their priestly function –

but on account of the fact that Jesus remains into the age (he stays, continues being alive and alongside/beside people for the duration of his life which does not end)
- he has the un-stepping-aside priesthood (he holds the priestly office and responsibility that is without moving alongside, it cannot be made to go beside/aside from him, death cannot affect Jesus [it may be interesting to note here that the adjective translated “un-stepping-aside” comes from the same word used to describe what the first man and woman did in Paradise which brought about their death, see Romans 5:14 and I Timothy 2:14]),
- from which fact also Jesus is able to save into the completeness-of-all (he has the ability, able-power, capability to make/cause to be safe all the way to completion, in every way to perfectly save to God from danger and destruction) – save who? –
  - the people going towards God by means of him (through him) who is constantly being alive with a view to intercede on behalf of them (with a purposed objective to meet and talk with God on their behalf, in their interests).

In truth, this sort of chief-priest also used to become us (during a past time such a high priest was also distinguished, suitable, proper for/to us because at that time we also needed to be saved by him) – the chief priest who is…

holy (this word translated "holy" means: one who practices holiness which is pure Godliness free from all crime, one who is in the state of constantly observing all God says, who practices every duty and function and thereby fulfills every obligation which God has given to be believed and carried-out),
without-badness (he lacks anything that is contrary to God’s will, he does not have any bad thing that would evidence badness),
unstained (he is not tainted, not tinged, without being colored with something else),
- having been separated and continuing separated away-from the sinners (he was caused, by God when God resurrected him, to be put apart from the sinners and now he continues severed asunder from being one of the sinners), and
- having become higher of the heavens (he has come to pass to be comparatively more elevated, more exalted relative-to, pertaining-to, regarding the heavens – not "than" them; the heavens literally refer to the areas above the earth, but figuratively in this context refer to the spirit realm; Jesus is now within the spirit realm having become higher among all others in the spirit realm excluding his Father, the only true God, because he is not higher than God Who is the Highest, see verse 1 above),
who does not have a daily constraint (he does not have a day-by-day necessity, a daily need arising from the force or entreaty of the situation, no compulsion due to circumstance, there is no applied-force upon him), wholly-as the Levitical chief-priests had a daily constraint, to offer-up formerly on behalf of his own sins (to bring, carry, bear upwards making a presentation of a sacrifice upon an altar to God before or prior to others, firstly for his own sins) and next to offer-up on behalf of the sins of the people – why does he not now have a daily constraint to perform this specific duty of the chief/high priest? –
for this he did once (in truth he performed this all together on one occasion, at one time, not several times but once) – how? –
- having offered-up himself (he brought, carried, bore upwards making the presentation of himself being the complete sacrifice upon the altar of the wooden-stake to God).

For the law constitutes men having weakness priests (the law of Moses causes men without strength, feeble, infirm, to be placed, made to stand-down in the level or position of being priests)…

but the word of the sworn-oath (what God spoke making the sworn-oath, see verses 20 and 21 above),
- emphatically and specifically the sworn-oath after the law (the people were legislated with the law of Moses on the Levitical priesthood as detailed in verse 11 above – but God spoke the sworn-oath AFTER the law was instituted because He spoke it to King David the prophet as recorded in Psalm 110:4),
constitutes the son (God’s son; refer to Hebrews 1:2, 3:6, 4:14, 5:5),
- having been made-complete and continuing made-complete (after he had already been caused to reach and arrive at his ending-issue, made perfect, he arrived at his ultimate state of completeness and he continues being complete),
priest into the age (refer to verses 17, 21, and 24 above).

[Reference: Psalm 110:4; Acts 2:27, 7:56, 13:35; Romans 1:3 and 4, 5:14, 6:10, 8:34; Galatians 3:19; Ephesians 1:19-23, 4:10; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 1:5; I Timothy 2:14; Hebrews 1:3, 2:2; 3:1, 4:7-9 and 14-16, 5:1-3, 6, 9 and 10, 6:17-20, 9:28, 10:10-21; I Peter 2:24. Note: verbs with a superscript 2 (²) immediately following them indicate the "perfect" tense - details are provided in the "Relevant Notes" link of this study.]

Hebrews Chapter 8