Hebrews 7 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

The Priestly Order of Melchizedek

7 For this Melchiz′edek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him; 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father[a] or mother or genealogy, and has neither beginning of days nor end of life,[b] but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest for ever.

4 See how great he is! Abraham the patriarch gave him a tithe of the spoils. 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brethren, though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man who has not their genealogy received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 Here tithes are received by mortal men; there, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchiz′edek met him.

Another Priest, Like Melchizedek

11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levit′ical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchiz′edek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchiz′edek, 16 who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him,

“Thou art a priest for ever,
after the order of Melchiz′edek.”

18 On the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

20 And it was not without an oath. 21 Those who formerly became priests took their office without an oath, but this one was addressed with an oath,

“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
‘Thou art a priest for ever.’”

22 This makes Jesus the surety of a better covenant.

23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever. 25 Consequently he is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever.

Footnotes

  1. 7.3 without father: i.e., the father is not mentioned in scripture.
  2. 7.3 neither beginning of days nor end of life: So too here, they are not mentioned in scripture either. Thus his priesthood can be taken to foreshadow or symbolize the Christian priesthood. “You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek” (Ps 110.4; cf. Heb 7.17).

You Might Also Like:

Hebrews 7 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

7 For this Melchisedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who did meet Abraham turning back from the smiting of the kings, and did bless him, 2 to whom also a tenth of all did Abraham divide, (first, indeed, being interpreted, `King of righteousness,' and then also, King of Salem, which is, Ki...
Read More

Hebrews 7 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

7 And this Melchisedec, king of Salem, and priest of the highest God [the priest of the highest God], which met Abraham, as he turned again from the slaying of the kings, and blessed him; 2 to whom also Abraham parted tithes of all things; first he is said king of rightwiseness [first soothly the w...
Read More

Hebrews 7 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

7 Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem. He was a priest of God who is the greatest of all. Melchizedek met Abraham when Abraham came back from killing some bad kings. And Melchizedek blessed him. 2 Abraham divided all that he took away from the kings into ten parts. He gave Melchizedek one part...
Read More

Hebrews 7 - World English Bible (WEB)

7 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, “king of righteousness”, and then also “king of Salem”, which means “king of...
Read More

Hebrews 7 - The Voice (VOICE)

7 In the Book of Genesis, we read about when Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he returned from defeating King Chedorlaomer and his allies. Melchizedek blessed our ancestor, and 2 Abraham gave him a tenth of everything captured in the battle.[a]Let’s loo...
Read More

Hebrews 7 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Melchizedek, a Kohen Forever7 For this Melchizedek was king of Salem, kohen of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, [a] 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth of everything. First, by the translation of his name, he is “King of Righteousness”[b]; an...
Read More

Hebrews 7 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

The Priestly Order of Melchizedek7 For this Melchiz′edek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him; 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, a...
Read More

Hebrews 7 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Priestly Order of Melchizedek7 For this Melchiz′edek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him; 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, a...
Read More

Hebrews 7 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

7 For this Melchizedek - King of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he returned from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to whom Abraham also gave a tithe of all things - is by first interpretation “King of Righteousness”, and after that “King of Salem” (that is, “K...
Read More

Hebrews 7 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

Melchizedek, the Great Priest-King7 For this Melchizedek, ‘king of Salem, priest of the most high God, met Abraham as he was coming back after defeating the kings, and blessed him; 2 and Abraham portioned out to him a tenth of everything.’To begin with, if you translate Melchizedek’s name, it means...
Read More

Hebrews 7 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

The Priestly Order of Melchizedek7 This “King Melchizedek of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him”; 2 and to him Abraham apportioned “one-tenth of everything.” His name, in the first place, means “king of righteousness”; next h...
Read More

Hebrews 7 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

The Priestly Order of Melchizedek7 This ‘King Melchizedek of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him’; 2 and to him Abraham apportioned ‘one-tenth of everything’. His name, in the first place, means ‘king of righteousness’; next h...
Read More

Hebrews 7 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Priestly Order of Melchizedek7 This “Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him,”(A)2 and to him Abraham apportioned “one-tenth of everything.” His name, in the first place, means “king of righteousness”; next...
Read More

Hebrews 7 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

He compares the priesthood of Christ to Melchizedek, but declares it to be far more excellent. 7 This Melchizedek, king of Salem (who, being priest of the most high God, met Abraham as he returned from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave tithes of all the spoils)...
Read More

Hebrews 7 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Melchizedek Is Greater Than Abraham7 This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against the kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. 2 Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle an...
Read More

Hebrews 7 - New Life Version (NLV)

Melchizedek—Like Christ7 Melchizedek was king of Salem. He was a religious leader for God. When Abraham was coming back from the war where many kings were killed, Melchizedek met Abraham and showed respect to him. 2 Abraham gave Melchizedek one-tenth part of all he had. Melchizedek’s name means kin...
Read More

Hebrews 7 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The King of Righteousness(A)7 For this (B)Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem,...
Read More