# Hebrews 07 š: A Priest Like Melchizedek
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> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#š Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#š Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#š§ Chapter Summary]]
> [[#āļø Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#š Key Observations / š Life Application]]
> [[#š¬ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#āļø Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#š Related Passages]]
> [[#š Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#š Internal Notes]]
## š Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
### The Nature of Melchizedekās Priesthood
**Principle**: Jesus is the True High Preist
[[#Verse 01.]] Now thisĀ **_Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings_**Ā andĀ **_blessed him_**.Ā [[Genesis 14]]
[[#Verse 02.]]Ā To himĀ alsoĀ **_Abraham apportioned a tithe_**Ā **_of everything_**.Ā His name first meansĀ king of righteousness, thenĀ **_king of Salem_**,Ā that is, king of peace.Ā [[Genesis 14]]
[[#Verse 03.]]Ā Without father, without mother, without genealogy, he has neither beginning of days nor end of life but is like the son of God, and he remains a priest for all time.Ā
[[#Verse 04.]]Ā But see how great he must be, ifĀ Abraham the patriarch gave him a titheĀ of his plunder.Ā
[[#Verse 05.]]Ā And those of the sons of Levi who receive the priestly officeĀ have authorization according to the law to collect a tithe from the people, that is, from their fellow countrymen,Ā although they too are descendants of Abraham.Ā
[[#Verse 06.]]Ā But MelchizedekĀ who does not share their ancestryĀ collected a titheĀ from Abraham and blessedĀ the one who possessed the promise.Ā
[[#Verse 07.]]Ā Now without dispute the inferior is blessed by the superior,Ā
[[#Verse 08.]]Ā and in one case tithes are received by mortal men, while in the other by him who is affirmed to be alive.Ā
[[#Verse 09.]]Ā And it could be said that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid a tithe through Abraham.Ā
[[#Verse 10.]]Ā For he was still in his ancestor Abrahamās loinsĀ when Melchizedek met him.
### Jesus and the Priesthood of Melchizedek
**Principle**: Spiritual Priesthood. Jesus- Guarantee of a better covenant.
[[#Verse 11.]]Ā So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthoodāfor on that basisĀ the people received the lawāwhat further need would there have been for another priest to arise, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in Aaronās order?Ā
[[#Verse 12.]]Ā For when the priesthood changes, a change in the law must comeĀ as well.Ā
[[#Verse 13.]]Ā Yet the one these things are spoken about belongs toĀ a different tribe, and no one from that tribeĀ has ever officiated at the altar.Ā
[[#Verse 14.]]Ā For it is clear that our Lord is descended from Judah, yet Moses said nothing about priests in connection with that tribe.Ā
[[#Verse 15.]]Ā And this is even clearer if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek,Ā
[[#Verse 16.]]Ā who has become a priest not by a legal regulation about physical descentĀ but by the power of an indestructible life.Ā
[[#Verse 17.]]Ā For here is the testimony about him:Ā ā**_You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek_**.āĀ [[Psalm 110]]
[[#Verse 18.]]Ā On the one hand a former command is set asideĀ because it is weak and useless,Ā
[[#Verse 19.]]Ā for the law made nothing perfect. On the other hand a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.Ā
[[#Verse 20.]]Ā And sinceĀ this was not done without a sworn affirmationāfor the others have become priests without a sworn affirmation,Ā
[[#Verse 21.]]Ā but JesusĀ did soĀ with a sworn affirmation by the one who said to him, ā_**The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind**,_Ā ā**_You are a priest forever_**āāāĀ [[Psalm 110]]
[[#Verse 22.]]Ā accordingly Jesus has become the guaranteeĀ of a better covenant.Ā
[[#Verse 23.]]Ā And the othersĀ who became priests were numerous, because death prevented themĀ from continuing in office,
[[#Verse 24.]]Ā but he holds his priesthood permanently since he lives forever.Ā
[[#Verse 25.]]Ā So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.Ā
[[#Verse 26.]]Ā For it is indeed fitting for us to have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.Ā
[[#Verse 27.]]Ā He has no need to do every day what those priests do, to offer sacrifices first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people, since he did this in offering himself once for all.Ā
[[#Verse 28.]]Ā For the law appoints as high priests men subject to weakness,Ā but the word of solemn affirmation that came after the law appoints a son made perfect forever.
## š Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
###### Verse 17.
###### Verse 18.
###### Verse 19.
###### Verse 20.
###### Verse 21.
###### Verse 22.
###### Verse 23.
###### Verse 24.
###### Verse 25.
###### Verse 26.
###### Verse 27.
###### Verse 28.
## š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. The name Melchizedek means "king of righteousness," and Salem means "peace" (7:2).
2. Salem is often identified with Jerusalem (Psalm 76:2).
3. Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of the spoils (7:4; Genesis 14:20).
4. Genesis gives no genealogy for Melchizedek, which is unusual in a book full of family records (7:3).
5. The author says Levi, in a sense, paid tithes through Abraham because he was still "in the loins" of his ancestor (7:9-10).
6. Jesus came from the tribe of Judah, not the priestly tribe of Levi (7:14).
7. Psalm 110:4 is quoted or echoed several times in this chapter.
8. The historian Josephus counts 28 high priests from the reign of Herod to the fall of the temple, a reminder that priests were replaced because they died (7:23).
9. "Guarantee" (7:22) translates a word found only here in the New Testament, used for someone who stands as security for another.
10. "Completely" (7:25) can also mean "forever," and both ideas fit the verse.
## š§ Chapter Summary
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## āļø Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the permanent high priest in the order of Melchizedek who always lives to intercede for those who come to God through Him (7:24-25). He is at God's right hand interceding for us (Romans 8:34).
## š Key Observations / š Life Application
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## š¬ Discussion Questions
1. Melchizedek was king of righteousness and king of peace (7:2). How does Jesus fulfill both titles?
2. The law made nothing perfect, but a better hope has been introduced (7:19). Why could the old system never make us perfect?
3. Jesus always lives to intercede for us (7:25). How does it change your prayers to know He prays for you?
## āļø Key Verses to Remember
- š verses 1-3: Melchizedek, king of righteousness and peace, resembles the Son of God and remains a priest for all time.
- š verse 22: Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
- š verse 25: He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
- š verse 27: He offered sacrifice once for all when He offered Himself.
## š Related Passages
- š [[Genesis 14#Verse 18.|Genesis 14:18-20]] - Melchizedek, priest of God Most High.
- š [[Psalm 110#Verse 04.|Psalm 110:4]] - A priest forever.
- š [[Psalm 76#Verse 02.|Psalm 76:2]] - God's dwelling in Salem.
- š [[Romans 08#Verse 34.|Romans 8:34]] - Christ intercedes for us.
- š [[1 John 02#Verse 01.|1 John 2:1]] - Jesus Christ, our Advocate with the Father.
## š Devotional Reflection
š SOAP: [[Hebrews 07 - SOAP|Jesus Never Stops Saving]]
## š Internal Notes