Hebrews 7
Unlike the Levitical priests who die, Jesus lives forever and holds His priesthood permanently. He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.
HebrewsChapter 7 of 1328 versesBerean Standard Bible
In this passage: MelchizedekAbrahamJerusalem
If God speaks to you through Hebrews 7, record what He said in Doxa and come back to it.
This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
Melchizedek king of Salem, priest of God Most High — type of Christ
“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High—”
Read Genesis 14:18›Melchizedek king of Salem, priest of God Most High — met Abraham
“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High—”
Read Genesis 14:18›Blessed be Abram by God Most High — Melchizedek blesses Abraham
“and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,”
Read Genesis 14:19›Melchizedek — a mysterious king-priest who blessed Abraham with bread and wine. Hebrews reveals this enigmatic figure was foreshadowing Jesus, the eternal priest-king.
“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High—”
Read Genesis 14:18›and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”
Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.
Without beginning or end — resembling the Son of God, priest forever
“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High—”
Read Genesis 14:18›Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.
But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.
In the case of the Levites, mortal men collect the tenth; but in the case of Melchizedek, it is affirmed that he lives on.
And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham.
Quoted in the Deeper Dive, day 24: How does Melchizedek point to Jesus?
For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.
Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?
For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.
He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.
Our Lord descended from Judah
“The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.”
Read Genesis 49:10›And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
Another priest in the likeness of Melchizedek — Christ the eternal priest
“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High—”
Read Genesis 14:18›one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life.
For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
You are a priest forever — the new priesthood of Christ
“The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.””
Read Psalms 110:4›So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless
(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,
but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’”
Quoted in the Deeper Dive, day 39: How did Israel first hear Genesis 21:22–34?
The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: You are a priest forever
“The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.””
Read Psalms 110:4›Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
Quoted in the Daily Lift, day 39: How does Genesis 21 connect to Jesus?
Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.
But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood.
Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
Quoted in the Daily Lift, day 32: How does Abraham's prayer for Sodom point to Jesus?
Quoted in the Deeper Dive, day 34: Why does Genesis say God remembered Abraham?
Quoted in the Daily Lift, day 36: How does Genesis 20 connect to Jesus?
Quoted in the Deeper Dive, day 36: Where does the first prophet lead?
Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.
For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
Read next
How to Hear God’s Voice: A Practical Guide for BelieversScripture is the record of a God who speaks. This guide covers how to hear Him today and keep what He says.Cross-references for Hebrews 7
“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High—”
“The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.””
“Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.”
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”
“He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.”
Cross-references from OpenBible.info, licensed CC BY.
Hebrews 7 on Doxa
- Melchizedek and Jesus: The Priesthood That Outranks the Law (Genesis 14) · Quoted in the Deeper Dive, day 24
- El Olam: Why God Was First Called Eternal at a Disputed Well (Genesis 21) · Quoted in the Deeper Dive, day 39
- Why Abraham Planted a Tree at Beersheba (Genesis 21:22–34) · Quoted in the Daily Lift, day 39
- Abraham Pleads for Sodom: Why Did God Tell Him First? (Genesis 18) · Quoted in the Daily Lift, day 32
- Lot Lingered, God Remembered: How Israel First Heard Genesis 19 · Quoted in the Deeper Dive, day 34
- Abraham and Abimelech: The Night God Spoke to a Pagan King (Genesis 20) · Quoted in the Daily Lift, day 36
- The Bible's First Prophet Is a Frightened Man Who Prays (Genesis 20) · Quoted in the Deeper Dive, day 36
Have a question about Hebrews 7?
On Doxa, you can have a personal interaction about any scripture. Ask questions, explore context, and discover connections.
Real stories about these themes
Read testimonies from real people connected to what you're reading.
Explore Related Topics
If God speaks to you through Hebrews 7
Doxa is where you record what God has said to you, in the words it came in, weigh it against Scripture with people you trust, and come back to it in the years that follow.
