Hebrews 7:1-17

Our Eternal High Priest

What it says:

Heb 7:1  For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
Heb 7:2  To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
Heb 7:3  Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
Heb 7:4  Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
Heb 7:5  And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
Heb 7:6  But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
Heb 7:7  And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
Heb 7:8  And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
Heb 7:9  And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
Heb 7:10  For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
Heb 7:11  If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
Heb 7:12  For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Heb 7:13  For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
Heb 7:14  For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Heb 7:15  And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
Heb 7:16  Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Heb 7:17  For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

What it means:

Believer’s Bible Commentary: Melchizedek was an enigmatic (mysterious) figure who appeared briefly on the stage of human history (Gen_14:18-20), then disappeared. Centuries later his name was mentioned by David (Psa_110:4). Then, after a lapse of additional centuries, it reappears in the book of Hebrews. One thing is apparent: God arranged the details of his life so that he would be an excellent type of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Note: The name Melchizedek is spelled differently in the OT than it is in the NT of the KJV, but it is the same person. I have varied the spelling as they did.)

Before we delve into this subject matter we need to be reminded that we are reading a book that was written to the Hebrew people in order to teach them about Jesus, the founder of salvation. So far Jesus has been compared to God as His Son and Heir, shown to be higher than the angels, and Moses, demonstrated that he came as a man to save men, and now our Lord is being compared to priests in order to validate and explain His person, His office, and His destiny, to the Hebrew mind. Their lives had been lived under the OT law and the Levitical priesthood for hundreds of years. The only reason that Melchisedec is even mentioned here is to give them a more comprehensive view of the words “priest” and “priesthood.” In their lives there were no other valid priests except the Levitical priests descended through Aaron. For them to suddenly accept Jesus as a priest, and especially a High Priest, they needed a valid precedent. Melchisedec is that precedent. So he is mentioned in order to bring them closer to understanding Jesus Christ; and closer to God by faith in Jesus Christ. Let us understand Melchisedec but not be distracted by Him. It is always Jesus whom we seek to understand and know better.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Heb 7:1  For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

What two offices did Melchisedec hold? King of Salem, and priest of the most high God.

What did he do to Abraham?  He blessed him.

A battle had taken place in which Abraham joined forces with some other kings to go and take back what had been kidnapped from them all. Lot, Abraham’s nephew, had been stolen away and he went to rescue him. Abraham and his men and allies were victorious. They freed Lot and the women and all the others from captivity, slaughtered the perpetrators of the crime, and took possession of all their goods. (Optional: read Genesis chapter 14)

Heb 7:2  To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all;

What did Abraham give to the Priest of the Most High God? A tenth, or his tithing.

first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

First: How does our author interpret the name “Melchisedec?” 1. King of righteousness, 2. King of Salem.

Second: How does our author interpret the office of “King of Salem?” King of peace.

Bible History.com: Salem was the first recorded name of Jerusalem revealed in the Scriptures. “Jeru” means city and the word "Salem" comes from the Hebrew 'Shalom" and means "Peace" but it means much more than peace, shalom has a connotation of wholeness, contentment, blessing, prosperity, and lack of aggression.

We know that Abraham acknowledged this king as a priest, because he paid his tithing to him. Here we also have the reason that the man, Melchisedec has been brought up – He has the same titles as our Lord Jesus Christ: King of Righteousness, and King of Peace – we often recall Jesus being called the Prince of Peace (because He is the Son of God).

The author’s point is to remind the Hebrews that even before Levi, Moses, and Aaron were born, Melchisedec was a priest of the Most High God.

The name “Melchisedec” is also part of the messianic prophecy written by David (Psa_110:4), which was very familiar to the Hebrews because they were looking for the Messiah to come. God can make priests out of anyone He wants to. Our author is actually saying to the Hebrews, “Let’s not get bogged down by this point that Jesus is a High Priest. Melchesidec is the perfect example of a legitimate high priest not being a descendent of Aaron.”

As a reminder for our own minds, too, recall that Peter says we are now a “royal priesthood,” too, under our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is our High Priest in Heaven.

1Pe_2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Heb 7:3  Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life;

These are the things that determined the Levitical priests – of which – Melchisedec had none. The Levitical priests had to prove their genealogy in order to become a priest. Their mother and/or father had to be direct descendants of Levi. They had to have a validated genealogy in order to become a priest who could serve in the temple. So the priests were born, verified as true descendants, became priests, perhaps even high priest, and served in the temple, then they died and someone else took on the office.

What are the things that Melchisedec did not have as a requirement for his priesthood….  Melchisedec had none of the qualifications that the Levitical Priests were required to have, yet he was a priest of the Most High God, validated by Abraham, Himself. He also did not have “beginning of days” – a birth certificate, or “end of life” – a record of death and burial. He simply stands in the pages of the Bible, as if he were eternally alive; always a king and priest because we never see him in any other light. Not one thing more is known of him from the Bible, but he is mentioned in David’s Psalm about the Messiah which was written under Divine influence:

Psa 110:4  The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

The Messiah is forever in the Hebrew mind, and the pages of the Bible, continually a priest because the LORD declared him to be so, in this verse about the Messiah. God’s word is immutable both then, and now. It is also clear that God has continued Melchizedek’s priesthood forever. Notice the word “after” which means “patterned after.”

BBC: Psalm 110: David's Son and David's Lord -- This Psalm of David enjoys the distinction of being quoted or referred to more frequently in the NT than any other passage in the OT. It is quite clearly a Psalm of the Messiah—first as the glorified One at God's right hand, then as the King of glory returning to earth to take the scepter of universal government, and also as the eternal Priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

BBC: He (Melchizedek) was not the Son of God, as some have mistakenly thought, but was made like the Son of God in this respect, that his priesthood continued without interruption.

JFB: in the priesthood after the order of Melchisedec. In order to bring out the typical parallel more strongly, Paul substitutes, “He of whom it is witnessed that he liveth,” for the more untypical, “He who is made like to Him that liveth.” Melchisedec “liveth” merely in his official capacity, his priesthood being continued in Christ. Christ, on the other hand, is, in His own person, “ever living after the power of an endless life” (Heb_7:16, Heb_7:25). Melchisedec’s death not being recorded, is expressed by the positive term “liveth,” for the sake of bringing into prominence the antitype, Christ, of whom alone it is strictly and perfectly true, “that He liveth.”

Heb 7:4  Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

Define: Patriarch – head of family, respected senior, biblical ancestor, Hebrew leader

Define: Spoils – property seized by the victor in a conflict, plunder, loot, rewards

Here we take a step back to think about Melchisedec, the king and priest; and Abraham, the prophet and patriarch of the Jews. We must try to view this as the Hebrews did. The greatest man, the most faithful man, the man who humbly believed God and obeyed Him – the father of the Hebrews – Abraham -- paid his tithing to the man Melchisedec because he was the priest of the Most High God. Abraham placed himself under Melchisedec and his office because Abraham fully trusted in God and honored His representative.

Heb 7:5  And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood,

Levi, who was one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel), is the family tribe to which Moses and Aaron belonged. Levi was the tribe to which the duty of being priests was ordained by God in the law.

have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law,

The Levites, being the priests, collected tithes from the Hebrew people according to what? The law.

that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

Of whom did they collect tithes? Their brothers and cousins and extended family.

Out of whose loins did all of them come? The Levitical priests were all brothers and sons of Abraham just like their brothers in the other tribes of whom they collected tithes. Abraham, himself, was not a priest, though he was a prophet of God and the father of many nations.

Heb 7:6  But he whose descent is not counted from them

Of whom was Melchesidek, the priest, not a descendant? Abraham.

received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

What did he receive from Abraham?  His tithes.

What did he give to Abraham? A blessing

Who had the promises? Abraham.

Heb 7:7  And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

Define:  Contradiction – disagreement, challenge, opposition, inconsistency, incongruity, ambiguity, paradox, conflict, denial

Without argument, the one who does the blessing is the one who has the power to bless those beneath him in rank.

In this example, who is the less? Abraham.

Who is the better? Melchesidek, the priest.

Heb 7:8  And here men that die receive tithes;

“Here” meaning presently, or “at this time” – the time the book of Hebrews was written. The men who die, are the ones who do not live forever. Our author is referring to the Levites – the Priests of their day who collected tithes and offerings from the Jewish people, but who also died, as all mortal men do.

but there he receiveth them,

“But there” in the past, another man received the tithes – the ones from Abraham.

Of whom is he speaking? Melchesidek, the priest.

of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

Psa 110:4  The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

The LORD hath sworn (an oath), and will not repent (God’s immutable oath -- God does not change his mind), Thou (the Messiah) art a priest for ever after the order of (just like) Melchizedek (was a priest of God). – the eternal priesthood belongs to the Messiah – but He is a priest in the same way that Mechizedek was a priest – by the eternal calling and appointment of God.

Who witnessed beforehand that the Messiah would be a priest forever? God, the Holy Spirit speaking through David.

Since Psalm 110 is about the Messiah coming we begin to see that not only our author connects these two people but God did so, too, and for our benefit! With this statement the idea that both Melchizedek and the Messiah “liveth” forever as priests is blended, specifically, to make his point!!

The one who makes intercession for us is our priest. That is what priests do. Since Christ lives forever, and is the High Priest (the one who entered into the Presence) making intercession for us…. He is our High Priest forever. We all live forever in Christ!!

Heb 7:9  And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

Heb 7:10  For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

He is pointing out that, technically, even the Levitical priests paid tithes to Melchisedec because they were “inside Abraham” – or were, as yet, unborn at the time and were his descendants. They were represented by Abraham, himself.

Heb 7:11  If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,)

The written law was given to the people by Moses and Aaron, who, being brothers, were both Levites, so the law was received “under the priesthood.”

 “IF THEREFORE” -- He is now coming to his conclusion by stating an “if/then contingency” to make us think:

Define: Perfection – excellence, rightness, flawlessness, accomplishment, fulfillment, completion, (Antonym: abandonment)

IF – IF – IF – if perfection, the perfect washing away of sins, the perfect eternal life, and the perfect gift of the Holy Spirit had actually come by the Levitical priesthood and the law… then…. what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

If they had perfection under the Levitical priesthood (and the law), then why would another priest be needed? And why would the new priest not be a Levite after the order of Aaron? He is pointing out that the perfection we receive in Christ does not come by obedience to the law. Grace comes through a very much better priest!!

Summarized Bible: No priest could be suitable or sufficient for our reconciliation to God, but One who could meet the conditions here laid down, and our Lord Jesus alone could meet them. He was free from all habits or principles of sin, never did the least wrong to God or man, was absolutely undefiled in His own life, and was never accessory to other man’s sins. Those who come to God by Him are saved, not only FROM the uttermost, but TO the uttermost.

Hallelujah! And that is why another priest was needed!! The temporary Levitical priests were not able to wash away sins, not able to bestow life eternal, could not give the gift of the Holy Spirit… obviously a better higher priest was needed!!

Heb 7:12  For the priesthood being changed,

This is an important point for us to notice: the priesthood was changed!! It would fade away because no more temporary sacrifices were of use. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, made the final complete eternal atonement.

there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

It follows that if the priesthood has changed, then the law must also have changed, too.

Heb 7:13  For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe,

Define: Pertaineth (pertains) – relates, be relevant, be appropriate, be valid, concerns

Of the three men, Aaron, Melchisedec, and Jesus…. Which one “pertaineth” to another tribe? Jesus.

of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

The man who “gave attendance at the altar” is the Levitical Priest who tended the altar and the tabernacle daily. The tribe to which Jesus belonged was never given the duty of attending the altar. He was not concerned with it.

Heb 7:14  For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

Out of what tribe did Jesus spring? Judah.

What did Moses say about Judah concerning the priesthood? Nothing.

Heb 7:15  And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

Define: Evident – obvious, plain, apparent, clear, manifest, unmistakable, (Antonym: unclear)

Define: Similitude – similarity, likeness, resemblance, equality, equivalence, uniformity (Antonym: difference)


It is far more obvious that another kind of priest had arisen. One who was patterned after or similar to Melchisedec.

Heb 7:16  Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment,

Define: Carnal – fleshly, having the nature of flesh, human: pertaining to the flesh, to the body: related to birth, lineage, genealogy

Define: Commandment -- an order, command, charge, precept, injunction

Jesus was made a priest but not after the law of a carnal commandment given to men. The Levitical priests were made priests by birth records – from a commandment concerning the flesh (carnal).

but after the power of an endless life.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: …. The Priest of this new Law and Priesthood is “the Prince of Life” (Act_3:15).

Jesus was made a priest by the power of the resurrection and an endless life!!  If you think about this…. There really is no comparison to the power of an endless life!! Especially when it is compared with “the law of a carnal commandment” that the people had trouble keeping.

Let’s look at all that is being compared here:

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary:  CARNAL ... ENDLESS — mutually contrasted.

Define: Carnal – fleshly, having the nature of flesh, human: pertaining to the flesh, to the body: related to birth, lineage, genealogy

Define: Endless – without end, eternal, never ending, continual, infinite, everlasting

2Ti_3:5; As “FORM” and “POWER” are opposed,

⦁    2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Define: Form – outward appearance, figure, procedure, method, system, custom

Define: Power – capacity to accomplish, strength, authority to act, skill, energy, force, might, supremacy

so here “THE LAW” and “POWER,” compare Rom_8:3, “The law was weak through the flesh”;

⦁    Rom 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

The Law is what set up the “form” or system of the Levitical priesthood. The power of God in sending his own Son saved us from sin.

“WEAKNESS.” …. and Heb_7:18,

⦁    Heb 7:18  For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

 “CARNAL,” as being only outward and temporary, is contrasted with “ENDLESS,” or, as Greek, “INDISSOLUBLE.”

⦁    Heb 7:16  Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

“COMMANDMENTS” is contrasted with “LIFE.” The law can give a commandment, but it cannot give life (Heb_7:19). But our High Priest’s inherent “POWER,” now in heaven, has in Him “LIFE FOR EVER”;

The law can give what?  Commandment

What can the law not give?  Life!

What does Jesus, our High Priest have?  An endless life.

⦁    Heb 7:19  For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

What did make us able to draw near to God?  The bringing in of a better hope in Jesus Christ.

Heb_9:14, THROUGH THE ETERNAL SPIRIT”;

⦁    Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

What two things does the blood of Christ through the Eternal Spirit provide for us? 1. Purges your conscience from dead works. 2. Which makes us able to serve the living God!

“Heb_7:25, “ABLE ... EVER LIVETH”

⦁    Heb 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

What is Jesus able to do? Saves them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.

Why? Because he lives forever to make intercession for them.

 (Joh_5:26). It is in the POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION LIFE, not of His earthly life, that CHRIST OFFICIATES AS A PRIEST.

⦁    Joh 5:26  For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

Heb 7:17  For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Who testified? God testified. And here is the final, most valuable, piece of evidence that Jesus truly is our Eternal High Priest: God’s Testimony:

Psa 110:4  The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Just like the immutable oaths and promises given to Abraham, God has sworn in this Psalm concerning the Messiah, that this man, Jesus, the Messiah, is a priest – eternally. In exactly the same way that Melchizedec still stands in the pages of God’s word, Jesus Christ stands in Heaven by God’s word.

Through the Bible Day by Day, by F. B. Meyer: If, …, the Levitical priests have been superseded, clearly the whole order of things -- that is, the Mosaic covenant under which these priests were appointed -- has been superseded also. The law of the carnal -- that is, the outward ritual -- has passed away in favor of a new dispensation which deals with the heart and character.

It served a temporary purpose, but we are living in an eternal order which is steadfast and abiding.

Our Lord’s priesthood is unchangeable and indissoluble. His blood and righteousness, His mediation for us, His loving understanding of us, will be a joy and comfort in the unending ages. We shall always be specially associated with Him -- the brethren of the King, the sheep of the Divine Shepherd. Each priest of Aaron’s line had to vacate his office; but our Lord’s priesthood will never pass to another; and therefore to the uttermost lapse of time and to the farthest demand of circumstance, He will save and help all that come to Him. No infirmity weakens Him, no stain or sin unfits Him -- above the heavens and from the throne He exercises His ministry.

Let’s read the verses once again:

Heb 7:1  For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
Heb 7:2  To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
Heb 7:3  Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
Heb 7:4  Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
Heb 7:5  And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
Heb 7:6  But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
Heb 7:7  And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
Heb 7:8  And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
Heb 7:9  And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
Heb 7:10  For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
Heb 7:11  If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
Heb 7:12  For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Heb 7:13  For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
Heb 7:14  For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Heb 7:15  And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
Heb 7:16  Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Heb 7:17  For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.