Hebrews 7:11-25

Jesus and the Priesthood of Melchizedek

7:11 So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthood – for on that basis ¹  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 ²  as well. 7:13 Yet the one these things are spoken about belongs to ³  a different tribe, and no one from that tribe ⁴  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 ⁵  but by the power of an indestructible life. 7:17 For here is the testimony about him: ⁶  “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” ⁷  7:18 On the one hand a former command is set aside ⁸  because it is weak and useless, ⁹  7:19 for the law made nothing perfect. On the other hand a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 7:20 And since ¹⁰  this was not done without a sworn affirmation – for the others have become priests without a sworn affirmation, 7:21 but Jesus ¹¹  did so ¹²  with a sworn affirmation by the one who said to him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever’” ¹³  – 7:22 accordingly Jesus has become the guarantee ¹⁴  of a better covenant. 7:23 And the others ¹⁵  who became priests were numerous, because death prevented them ¹⁶  from continuing in office, ¹⁷  7:24 but he holds his priesthood permanently since he lives forever. 7:25 So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

[7:11]  ¹ tn Grk “based on it.”

[7:12]  ² tn Grk “of necessity a change in the law comes to pass.”

[7:13]  ³ tn Grk “shares in.”

[7:13]  ⁴ tn Grk “from which no one.”

[7:16]  ⁴ tn Grk “a law of a fleshly command.”

[7:17]  ⁵ tn Grk “for he/it is witnessed that.”

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

[7:18]  ⁶ tn Grk “the setting aside of a former command comes to pass.”

[7:18]  ⁷ tn Grk “because of its weakness and uselessness.”

[7:20]  ⁷ sn The Greek text contains an elaborate comparison between v. 20a and v. 22, with a parenthesis (vv. 20b-21) in between; the comparison is literally, “by as much as…by so much” or “to the degree that…to that same degree.”

[7:21]  ⁸ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[7:21]  ⁹ tn The words “did so” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.

[7:21]  ¹⁰ sn A quotation from Ps 110:4 (see Heb 5:6, 6:20, and 7:17).

[7:22]  ⁹ tn Or “surety.”

[7:23]  ¹⁰ tn Grk “they on the one hand” in contrast with “he on the other hand” in v. 24.

[7:23]  ¹¹ tn Grk “they were prevented by death.”

[7:23]  ¹² tn Grk “from continuing” (the words “in office” are supplied for clarity).