The priesthood of Christ according to the order of Melchisedech excels
the Levitical priesthood and puts an end both to that and to the law.
7:1. For this Melchisedech was king of Salem, priest of the most high
God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and
blessed him:
7:2. To whom also Abraham divided the tithes of all: who first indeed
by interpretation is king of justice: and then also king of Salem, that
is, king of peace:
7:3. Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither
beginning of days nor end of life, but likened unto the Son of God,
continueth a priest for ever.
Without father, etc. . .Not that he had no father, etc., but that
neither his father, nor his pedigree, nor his birth, nor his death, are
set down in scripture.
7:4. Now consider how great this man is, to whom also Abraham the
patriarch gave tithes out of the principal things.
7:5. And indeed they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the
priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according
to the law, that is to say, of their brethren: though they themselves
also came out of the loins of Abraham.
7:6. But he, whose pedigree is not numbered among them, received tithes
of Abraham and blessed him that had the promises.
7:7. And without all contradiction, that which is less is blessed by
the better.
7:8. And here indeed, men that die receive tithes: but there, he hath
witness that he liveth.
7:9. And (as it may be said) even Levi who received tithes paid tithes
in Abraham:
7:10. For he was yet in the loins of his father when Melchisedech met
him.
7:11. If then perfection was by the Levitical priesthood (for under it
the people received the law), what further need was there that another
priest should rise according to the order of Melchisedech: and not be
called according to the order of Aaron?
7:12. For the priesthood being translated, it is necessary that a
translation also be made of the law,
7:13. For he of whom these things are spoken is of another tribe, of
which no one attended on the altar.
7:14. For it is evident that our Lord sprung out of Juda: in which
tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.
7:15. And it is yet far more evident: if according to the similitude of
Melchisedech there ariseth another priest,
7:16. Who is made, not according to the law of a law of a carnal
commandment, but according to the power of an indissoluble life.
7:17. For he testifieth: Thou art a priest for ever according to the
order of Melchisedech.
7:18. There is indeed a setting aside of the former commandment,
because of the weakness and unprofitableness thereof:
7:19. For the law brought nothing to perfection: but a bringing in of a
better hope, by which we draw nigh to God.
7:20. And inasmuch as it is not without an oath (for the others indeed
were made priests without an oath:
7:21. But this with an oath, by him that said unto him: The Lord hath
sworn and he will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever).
7:22. By so much is Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
7:23. And the others indeed were made many priests, because by reason
of death they were not suffered to continue:
Many priests, etc. . .The apostle notes this difference between the high
priests of the law, and our high priest Jesus Christ; that they being
removed by death, made way for their successors; whereas our Lord Jesus
is a priest for ever, and hath no successor; but liveth and concurreth
for ever with his ministers, the priests of the new testament, in all
their functions. Also, that no one priest of the law, nor all of them
together, could offer that absolute sacrifice of everlasting
redemption, which our one high priest Jesus Christ has offered once,
and for ever.
7:24. But this, for that he continueth for ever, hath an everlasting
priesthood:
7:25. Whereby he is able also to save for ever them that come to God by
him; always living to make intercession for us.
Make intercession. . .Christ, as man, continually maketh intercession
for us, by representing his passion to his Father.
7:26. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy,
innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the
heavens:
7:27. Who needeth not daily (as the other priests) to offer sacrifices,
first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did
once, in offering himself.
7:28. For the law maketh men priests, who have infirmity: but the word
of the oath (which was since the law) the Son who is perfected for
evermore.