1.
For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
Hebrews 7
Hebrews 7:1 This Melchisedec; that is, the one to whom the writer had referred. (Hebrews 5:6,Hebrews 6:20.) In the history of Abraham, contained in the book of Genesis, there is an account of his meeting, on one occasion, with a king, of high rank and distinction, named Melchisedec, a worshipper of the true God, and a priest as well as a king; to whom Abraham paid a tenth part of the spoils which be had then recently taken from his enemies in acknowledgment of his spiritual superiority. In respect to this Melchisedec, no account is given of his ancestry or origin,--nor of the end of his life. He enters the field of view, and, after a brief appearance, leaves it again in the full possession and exercise, during the whole period, of all his royal and priestly powers. (Genesis 14:18-20.) The incident of his appearing in this manner, is employed by David, (Psalms 110:4,) and now by the writer of this Epistle, as furnishing an apt emblem or type of the permanence and perpetuity of the priesthood of Christ.--The slaughter of the kings. (Genesis 14:14-16.)--And blessed him; Genesis 14:19.
2.
To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
Verse 2
Gave, &c. Hebrews 7:20.--By interpretation; the interpretation of his name, Melchi-zedek.
3.
Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
Verse 3
Without father, &c.; that is, so appearing in the sacred narrative.-- Made like unto; made a type or emblem of.
4.
Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
5.
And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
Verse 5
Have a commandment to take tithes; Deuteronomy 14:22-29.
6.
But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7.
And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
Verse 7
Of the better; of the greater. The idea is, that Melchisedec's blessing Abraham, as well as his receiving tithes of him, was a mark or token of his superiority to Abraham.
8.
And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
Verse 8
Here; under the Mosaic dispensation.--There; referring to Melchisedec.--It is witnessed that he liveth; he appears, so far as there is any witness or testimony concerning him, in life, and in the full possession of power.
9.
And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
Verse 9
Levi; the tribe of Levi.
10.
For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
Verse 10
The meaning is, that Abraham, as the ancestor, head, and representative, of his descendants, may be considered as including his descendants, as well as himself, under his acknowledgment of Melchisedec's superiority.
11.
If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
Verse 11
For under it, &c.; that is, the law was so connected with the Levitical priesthood, that whatever imperfection or inferiority is shown to pertain to the one, attaches in like manner to the other.
12.
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Verse 12
Also of the law; the law and the priesthood being parts of the same system.
13.
For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
Verse 13
He of whom these things are spoken; that is, he who is the subject of this comparison with Melchisedec.--Another tribe; the tribe of Judah.--Gave attendance, &c.; served as priest. The priests were all of the tribe of Levi.
14.
For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15.
And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
Verse 15
Far more evident; still more evident; that is, the imperfect and temporary character of the Mosaic service is so.
16.
Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Verse 16
Made; constituted priest.--After the law of a carnal commandment; under a system of commandments of a ceremonial and temporal character.--After the power of an endless life; on a new foundation, sure, and never to end.
17.
For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
18.
For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
Verse 18
The commandment going before; the former commandment,--that is, the Mosaic law.
19.
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Verse 19
Made nothing perfect; did not, in itself, really accomplish the salvation of men.
20.
And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
21.
(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
Verse 21
These priests; the Levitical priests.--That said unto him; in Hebrews 7:21; Psalms 110:4, as referred to above.
22.
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
Verse 22
By so much; by the fact that his institution was declared with the solemnities of an oath, as shown in the Hebrews 7:20,Hebrews 7:21.--Testament, covenant or dispensation.
23.
And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
Verse 23
And they; referring to the Levitical line.
24.
But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25.
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26.
For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27.
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
28.
For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
Verse 28
Which have infirmity; who are themselves sinners.--Consecrated; holy.