Thematic Bible




Hebrews 7:1 (show verse)

For this Melchizedek—

King of Salem, priest of the Most High God,
who met Abraham and blessed him
as he returned from defeating the kings,

Hebrews 7:2 (show verse)

and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything;
first, his name means king of righteousness,
then also, king of Salem,
meaning king of peace;

Hebrews 7:3 (show verse)

without father, mother, or genealogy,
having neither beginning of days nor end of life,
but resembling the Son of God


remains a priest forever.

Hebrews 7:4 (show verse)

Now consider how great this man was—even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the plunder to him!

Hebrews 7:5 (show verse)

The sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a command according to the law to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they have also descended from Abraham.

Hebrews 7:6 (show verse)

But one without this lineage collected tenths from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.

Hebrews 7:7 (show verse)

Without a doubt, the inferior is blessed by the superior.

Hebrews 7:8 (show verse)

In the one case, men who will die receive tenths, but in the other case, Scripture testifies that he lives.

Hebrews 7:9 (show verse)

And in a sense Levi himself, who receives tenths, has paid tenths through Abraham,

Hebrews 7:10 (show verse)

for he was still within his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

Hebrews 7:11 (show verse)

If then, perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?

Hebrews 7:12 (show verse)

For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well.

Hebrews 7:13 (show verse)

For the One these things are spoken about belonged to a different tribe. No one from it has served at the altar.

Hebrews 7:14 (show verse)

Now it is evident that our Lord came from Judah, and Moses said nothing about that tribe concerning priests.

Hebrews 7:15 (show verse)

And this becomes clearer if another priest like Melchizedek appears,

Hebrews 7:16 (show verse)

who did not become a priest based on a legal command concerning physical descent but based on the power of an indestructible life.

Hebrews 7:17 (show verse)

For it has been testified:

You are a priest forever
in the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7:18 (show verse)

So the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable

Hebrews 7:19 (show verse)

(for the law perfected nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

Hebrews 7:20 (show verse)

None of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,

Hebrews 7:21 (show verse)

but He became a priest with an oath made by the One who said to Him:

The Lord has sworn,
and He will not change His mind,
You are a priest forever.

Hebrews 7:22 (show verse)

So Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.

Hebrews 7:23 (show verse)

Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office.

Hebrews 7:24 (show verse)

But because He remains forever, He holds His priesthood permanently.

Hebrews 7:25 (show verse)

Therefore, He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.

Hebrews 7:26 (show verse)

For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

Hebrews 7:27 (show verse)

He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do—first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all when He offered Himself.

Hebrews 7:28 (show verse)

For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promise of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son, who has been perfected forever.