Hebrews 7


Hebrews 7 is the seventh chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The author is anonymous, although the internal reference to "our brother Timothy" causes a traditional attribution to Paul, but this attribution has been disputed since the second century and there is no decisive evidence for the authorship. This chapter contains an exposition about the superiority of Christ's priesthood using material from Melchizedek to the Levitical Priesthood.

Text

The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 28 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:
  • Papyrus 46
  • Codex Vaticanus
  • Codex Sinaiticus
  • Codex Alexandrinus
  • Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus
  • Codex Freerianus
  • Codex Claromontanus

    Old Testament references

  • Melchizedek: Genesis 14
  • :
  • :

    Melchizedek the Priest-King (verses 1–3)

Verse 1

Melchizedek appears once only in the Old Testament, in Genesis 14. The "slaughter of the kings" took place at the Battle of Siddim.

Verse 2

Verse 3

The greatness of Melchizedek (verses 4–10)

Verse 4

Verse 9

Imperfection of the Aaronic Priesthood (verses 11–14)

Verse 14

Superior Because of the Divine Oath (verses 20–22)

Verse 22

The further aspect of Jesus' priesthood is introduced here and will be explored in the next chapters, that is, Jesus' role as a "guarantor" of a better covenant, superior to the old covenant as much as his priesthood is superior to that of Aaron. The author emphasizes the superior dignity of Jesus by arranging the weight of argument to fall on the word "Jesus" as the last word of this verse in the original Greek text.
  • "Covenant" : or "testament", for the Greek word may signify both; a testament, because it is established in the good will of God, and includes an inheritance bequeathed by God the Father to his children, confirmed and given to them by the death of Christ the testator; and a covenant, because it is a compact or agreement made by the Father with Christ, as the representative of all the elect; is called in Scripture a "covenant of life and peace", and is also commonly called the "covenant of grace", because it springs from the grace of God, and the end of it is the glory of God's grace.

    Superior Because of Its Permanence (verses23–25)

Verse 24

Verse 25

Superior Because of the Character of Jesus (verses 26–28)

Verses 26–27

There is no explicit ordinance for a high priest to offer daily sacrifices for his own sins, but 'inadvertent sinning' could be a 'daily hazard' and, in his position, if not taken care of, it could bring guilt on the people. Therefore, it becomes a custom for the high priest to first offer sacrifices on his own account, before performing his task for the people, as also attested by the first-century Jewish writer, Philo.

Verse 28

The 'new and perpetual priesthood after Melchizedek's order', given under oath by the Divine acclamation, was designed to supersede the previous priesthood under the ancient law, which was beset by frailty and required sin offerings for the high priest as well as the people. The supersession became effective once the Messiah 'vindicated his high-priestly title on the basis of a perfect sacrifice', so his 'high-priesthood is absolutely efficacious and eternally suited to meet the need of his people'.