Analysis of Hebrews Chapter 7
Hebrews Chapter 7 delves deeply into the concept of priesthood, with a particular focus on the order of Melchizedek and its significance in relation to the Levitical priesthood. This chapter is crucial for understanding the author’s argument that Jesus Christ serves as a high priest in a unique and superior manner compared to the traditional Levitical priests. The chapter uses Melchizedek as a type and foreshadowing of Christ’s eternal priesthood, emphasizing Jesus’ role in offering a once-for-all sacrifice and his eternal intercession.
The Historical Context of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:1-3)
The chapter begins by providing a brief historical account of Melchizedek:
“For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything.” (Hebrews 7:1-2)
Melchizedek is introduced as a dual figure: both a king and a priest. He is the king of Salem (which is often associated with Jerusalem), and his name translates to “king of righteousness”. His dual role is significant because it prefigures Christ, who is both King and High Priest.
The meeting between Melchizedek and Abraham occurs in Genesis 14, where Melchizedek blesses Abraham, and Abraham gives him a tenth of the spoils. This act of tithing signifies Abraham’s recognition of Melchizedek’s superior priestly status. The narrative’s brevity in Genesis highlights the enigmatic nature of Melchizedek, which the author of Hebrews leverages to draw comparisons to Christ.
The next verse accentuates Melchizedek’s mysterious origins and eternal nature:
“He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.” (Hebrews 7:3)
Melchizedek’s lack of genealogy and the absence of a record of his birth or death in the Scriptures serves to symbolize an eternal priesthood, much like Christ’s. The eternal nature of his priesthood is a shadow of the true eternal priesthood of Christ, who has no beginning or end and serves forever.
The Superiority of Melchizedek’s Priesthood (Hebrews 7:4-10)
The next section of the chapter elaborates on the superiority of Melchizedek’s priesthood:
“See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils!” (Hebrews 7:4)
Here, the greatness of Melchizedek is emphasized through Abraham’s act of giving a tenth of the spoils. In the context of Jewish tradition, the person who received tithes was considered greater than the one giving them. This is a critical point in the author’s argument, as Abraham is revered as the patriarch of the Jewish faith, yet he acknowledges Melchizedek’s superior status by giving him a tithe.
The author then contrasts Melchizedek’s unique priesthood with the Levitical priests:
“Those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.” (Hebrews 7:5-6)
The Levitical priests were descendants of Levi, one of Abraham’s great-grandsons, and they were commanded by Mosaic Law to receive tithes from the people. However, Melchizedek, who is not a Levite, receives tithes from Abraham, emphasizing his priesthood’s preeminence and universality.
The final point about Melchizedek in this section underscores his superior blessing:
“It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior.” (Hebrews 7:7)
Abraham, who had received the promises from God, is blessed by Melchizedek. In Jewish tradition, it is understood that the one who blesses is superior to the one being blessed. Thus, Melchizedek’s blessing of Abraham further illustrates his superior status.
The Validity of Jesus’ Priesthood (Hebrews 7:11-22)
Transitioning to the significance for Christ, the text questions the sufficiency of the Levitical priesthood:
“Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?” (Hebrews 7:11)
If the Levitical priesthood, based on the law, could achieve perfection, there would be no need for another priest in the order of Melchizedek. This insinuates a fundamental limitation within the Levitical system, motivating the establishment of a superior priesthood through Christ.
The author reasons that with the change in priesthood, there must also be a change in the law:
“For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.” (Hebrews 7:12)
Christ’s priesthood necessitates a new covenant because it transcends and completes the old one. This resonates deeply with the audience, who prided themselves on the Law of Moses and the Levitical traditions.
Verse 13-14 further explains why Jesus, from the tribe of Judah, is associated with a different priesthood:
“For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.” (Hebrews 7:13-14)
The tribe of Judah is historically the royal tribe, not the priestly one. Jesus, being from Judah, marks a definitive shift from the Levitical order and underscores the new, transcendent nature of his priesthood.
The author then anchors the priesthood of Christ in the eternal promise made to David and prophesied in Psalms:
“This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, ‘You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.’” (Hebrews 7:15-17)
Christ’s priesthood is not based on genealogy or legal stipulation but on the power of his indestructible life. This eternal life endows him with a priestly function that is everlasting, confirmed by God’s oath, starkly contrasting with the temporal, succession-based Levitical priesthood.
Moreover, the superiority and finality of Jesus’ high priesthood are concluded with a strong affirmation of God’s promise:
“This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.” (Hebrews 7:22)
Jesus guarantees a better covenant because of the permanence and perfection of his priesthood. The old covenant had flaws and limitations, but the new covenant, assured by Christ’s eternal priesthood, offers a perfect, unrepeatable mediation between God and humanity.
The Superiority and Permanence of Christ’s Priesthood (Hebrews 7:23-28)
The concluding verses highlight the permanence and perfect intercessory role of Christ:
“The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.” (Hebrews 7:23-24)
The Levitical priests were numerous because death curtailed their service. In stark contrast, Jesus holds his priesthood permanently due to his eternal nature, showcasing the enduring efficacy of his intercessory role.
This permanence directly benefits Christ’s mediation for believers:
“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
Christ’s eternal priesthood allows him to save completely those who approach God through him. His constant intercession ensures that salvation is thorough and perpetual, binding believers securely in the grace of God.
Verses 26-28 summarize the qualifications and perfection of Christ as the ultimate high priest:
“For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.” (Hebrews 7:26-28)
Christ’s moral and spiritual qualifications distinguish him uniquely. He is holy, innocent, unstained, and separated from sinners. Unlike the Levitical priests, who had to offer sacrifices daily and first for their own sins, Jesus made a singular, all-sufficient sacrifice by offering himself. This ultimate sacrifice is superior and final.
The chapter closes with the affirmation that while the law appointed flawed, mortal men as priests, the divine oath appoints the eternal, perfect Son. This establishes the final and everlasting nature of Christ’s priesthood, offering believers a definitive, unshakable foundation for faith and salvation.
Conclusion
Hebrews Chapter 7 meticulously establishes the superiority and eternal nature of Christ’s priesthood, contrasting it with the Levitical priesthood and emphasizing its fulfillment of the promises symbolized in the mysterious figure of Melchizedek. This chapter reassures believers of the sufficiency and permanence of Christ’s mediatory role, providing a profound theological basis for the assurance of salvation and the new covenant. The eternal, perfect priesthood of Christ forms the bedrock of Christian faith, offering continuous and complete intercession for those who draw near to God through him.