Melchizedek, a Kohen Forever
7 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]; and then also King of Salem, which is “King of Shalom.” 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life but made like Ben-Elohim, he remains a kohen for all time.
4 Now see how great this man is! Even Abraham the patriarch gave him a tenth out of the plunder. 5 Indeed, those sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have, according to Torah, a command to collect a tithe from the people[c]—that is, from their kin, although they have come out of the loins of Abraham. 6 But this one—who did not have their genealogy—has collected tithes from Abraham and has blessed him, the one holding the promises. 7 Now it is beyond dispute that the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In one case, dying men receive tithes; but in the other, one about whom it is testified that he lives on. 9 Through Abraham even Levi, the one receiving tithes, has paid the tithe, so to speak— 10 for he was still in his father’s loins when Melchizedek met him.
Yeshua, Our Kohen Gadol Forever
11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for based on it the people had been given the Torah[d]), what further need was there for a different kohen to arise—designated according to the order of Melchizedek, not according to the order of Aaron? 12 For whenever the priesthood is altered, out of necessity an alteration[e] of law also takes place. 13 For the one about whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord has sprung forth[f] from Judah—concerning this tribe, Moses said nothing about kohanim. 15 And it is even more evident, if another kohen arises like Melchizedek— 16 one made not by virtue of a Torah requirement of physical descent,[g] but by virtue of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is testified,
“You are a kohen forever,
according to the order of Melchizedek.”[h]
18 For on the one hand, a former requirement is set aside because of its weakness and ineffectiveness— 19 for Torah made nothing perfect. But on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
20 Moreover, it was not without a sworn oath. (Others indeed have become kohanim without a sworn oath, 21 but He with an oath—sworn by the One who said to Him, “Adonai has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a kohen forever.’”[i]) 22 How much more then has Yeshua become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 Now on the one hand, many have become kohanim, who through death are prevented from continuing in office. [j] 24 But on the other hand, the One who does remain forever has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, always living to make intercession for them.
26 For such a Kohen Gadol was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need to offer up sacrifices day by day like those other kohanim g’dolim—first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people.[k] For when He offered up Himself, He did this once for all. 28 For the Torah appoints as kohanim g’dolim men who have weakness; but the word of the oath,[l] which came after the Torah, appoints a Son—made perfect forever.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 7:2 See Gen. 14:17-20.
- Hebrews 7:2 Heb. Malki-Tzedek.
- Hebrews 7:5 cf. Num. 18:21-32.
- Hebrews 7:11 cf. Exod. 19:5-6; 20ff.
- Hebrews 7:12 Lit. transposition; Grk. metathesis.
- Hebrews 7:14 cf. Isa. 11:1.
- Hebrews 7:16 cf. Exod. 30:30; 32:25-29; Num. 3:9-12.
- Hebrews 7:17 Ps. 110:4(109:4 LXX).
- Hebrews 7:21 Ps. 110:4(109:4 LXX).
- Hebrews 7:24 cf. Exod. 40:15; Num. 25:13; Dan. 6:27(26).
- Hebrews 7:27 cf. Lev. 6:9-13; 16:11, 15.
- Hebrews 7:28 cf. Ps. 110:4(109:4 LXX).