Hebrews 7:10-17

7:10 For he was still in his ancestor Abraham’s loins ¹  when Melchizedek met him.

Jesus and the Priesthood of Melchizedek

7:11 So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthood – for on that basis ²  the people received the law – what further need would there have been for another priest to arise, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in Aaron’s order? 7:12 For when the priesthood changes, a change in the law must come ³  as well. 7:13 Yet the one these things are spoken about belongs to ⁴  a different tribe, and no one from that tribe ⁵  has ever officiated at the altar. 7:14 For it is clear that our Lord is descended from Judah, yet Moses said nothing about priests in connection with that tribe. 7:15 And this is even clearer if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 7:16 who has become a priest not by a legal regulation about physical descent ⁶  but by the power of an indestructible life. 7:17 For here is the testimony about him: ⁷  “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” ⁸ 

[7:10]  ¹ tn Grk “in the loins of his father” (a reference to Abraham). The name “Abraham” has been repeated in the translation at this point (cf. v. 9) in order to clarify the referent (i.e., what ancestor was in view).

[7:11]  ² tn Grk “based on it.”

[7:12]  ³ tn Grk “of necessity a change in the law comes to pass.”

[7:13]  ⁴ tn Grk “shares in.”

[7:13]  ⁵ tn Grk “from which no one.”

[7:16]  ⁵ tn Grk “a law of a fleshly command.”

[7:17]  ⁶ tn Grk “for he/it is witnessed that.”

[7:17]  ⁷ sn A quotation from Ps 110:4 (see Heb 5:6 and 6:20).