Hebrews 7:1-19 ▼

1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God {Theou} Most High . He met Abraham (father of many) returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

2 and Abraham (father of many) apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness. Then also, “king of Salem means “king of peace.

3 Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God {Theou}, he remains a priest for all time.

4 Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham (father of many) gave him a tenth of the plunder.

5 Now the law commands the sons of Levi (attached to) who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham (father of many).

6 But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham (father of many) and blessed him who had the promises.

7 And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.

8 In the case of the Levites, mortal men collect the tenth; but in the case of Melchizedek, it is affirmed that he lives on.

9 And so to speak, Levi (attached to), who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham (father of many).

10 For when Melchizedek met Abraham (father of many), Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.

11 Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron (exalted)?

12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.

13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.

14 For it is clear that our Lord {Kyrios} descended from Judah (praise), a tribe as to which Moses (drawn out) said nothing about priests.

15 And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,

16 one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power {dynamin} of an indestructible life.

17 For it is testified: “You are a priest forever \to the age/ in the order of Melchizedek .”

18 So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless

19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God {Theō}.