Melchizedek and Abraham
(Genesis 14:17-24)
1For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2To 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; 3Without 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.
4Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 5And 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: 6But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. 8And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
Jesus a Priest Like Melchizedek
11If 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? 12For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
18For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. 20And 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:)
22By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25Wherefore 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.
26For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27Who 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. 28For 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.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
Melchizedek and Abraham
(Genesis 14:17–24)
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace; 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God), remains a priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the best spoils. 5 They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham, 6 but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises. 7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes, 10 for he was yet in the body of his father when Melchizedek met him.
A Superior Priesthood
11 Now if there were perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law. 13 For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 This is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest, 16 who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after the power of an endless life:
17 for it is testified, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
18 For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20 Inasmuch as he was not made priest without the taking of an oath
21 (for they indeed have been made priests without an oath), but he with an oath by him that says of him, “The Lord swore and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’”
22 By so much, Jesus has become the collateral of a better covenant.
23 Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death. 24 But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable. 25 Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.
26 For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 who doesn’t need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices daily, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath which came after the law appoints a Son forever who has been perfected.
Melchizedek and Abraham
(Genesis 14:17–24)
1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. a He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham 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, he remains a priest for all time.
4 Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder. 5 Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham. 6 But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham 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, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham. 10 For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.
A Superior Priesthood
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? 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 descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses 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 of an indestructible life. 17 For it is testified:
“You are a priest forever
in the order of Melchizedek.” b
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.
20 And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, 21 but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him:
“The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind:
‘You are a priest forever.’ ” c
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. 24 But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore He is able to save completely d those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
26 Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
Footnotes:
1 a Genesis 14:18
17 b Psalm 110:4
21 c Psalm 110:4
25 d Or forever
Melchizedek and Abraham
(Genesis 14:17-24)
1For this Melchisedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who did meet Abraham turning back from the smiting of the kings, and did bless him, 2to whom also a tenth of all did Abraham divide, (first, indeed, being interpreted, 'King of righteousness,' and then also, King of Salem, which is, King of Peace,) 3without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, and being made like to the Son of God, doth remain a priest continually.
4And see how great this one is, to whom also a tenth Abraham the patriarch did give out of the best of the spoils, 5and those, indeed, out of the sons of Levi receiving the priesthood, a command have to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, their brethren, even though they came forth out of the loins of Abraham; 6and he who was not reckoned by genealogy of them, received tithes from Abraham, and him having the promises he hath blessed, 7and apart from all controversy, the less by the better is blessed -- 8and here, indeed, men who die do receive tithes, and there he, who is testified to that he was living, 9and so to speak, through Abraham even Levi who is receiving tithes, hath paid tithes, 10for he was yet in the loins of the father when Melchisedek met him.
Jesus a Priest Like Melchizedek
11If indeed, then, perfection were through the Levitical priesthood -- for the people under it had received law -- what further need, according to the order of Melchisedek, for another priest to arise, and not to be called according to the order of Aaron? 12for the priesthood being changed, of necessity also, of the law a change doth come, 13for he of whom these things are said in another tribe hath had part, of whom no one gave attendance at the altar, 14for it is evident that out of Judah hath arisen our Lord, in regard to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15And it is yet more abundantly most evident, if according to the similitude of Melchisedek there doth arise another priest, 16who came not according to the law of a fleshly command, but according to the power of an endless life,
17for He doth testify -- 'Thou art a priest -- to the age, according to the order of Melchisedek;'
18for a disannulling indeed doth come of the command going before because of its weakness, and unprofitableness, 19(for nothing did the law perfect) and the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw nigh to God. 20And inasmuch as it is not apart from oath, (for those indeed apart from oath are become priests,
21and he with an oath through Him who is saying unto him, 'The Lord sware, and will not repent, Thou art a priest -- to the age, according to the order of Melchisedek;')
22by so much of a better covenant hath Jesus become surety,
23and those indeed are many who have become priests, because by death they are hindered from remaining; 24and he, because of his remaining -- to the age, hath the priesthood not transient, 25whence also he is able to save to the very end, those coming through him unto God -- ever living to make intercession for them.
26For such a chief priest did become us -- kind, harmless, undefiled, separate from the sinners, and become higher than the heavens, 27who hath no necessity daily, as the chief priests, first for his own sins to offer up sacrifice, then for those of the people; for this he did once, having offered up himself; 28for the law doth appoint men chief priests, having infirmity, but the word of the oath that is after the law appointeth the Son -- to the age having been perfected.
The Favor of God paraphrase
Melchizedek’s Unique Priesthood
¹ This Melchizedek was king of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. He met Abraham as Abraham was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him, ² and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. His name means “king of righteousness,” and also “king of Salem,” which means “king of peace.” ³ Without record of a father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, he remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God.
⁴ Just think how great this Melchizedek was! Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! ⁵ Now, the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descendants of Abraham. ⁶ But this man, who does not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him, the man who had the promises of God. ⁷ And without doubt, the lesser is blessed by the greater. ⁸ In one case, the tenth is collected by men who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.
⁹ One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid it through Abraham, ¹⁰ because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.
Jesus: A Superior Priesthood
¹¹ If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—for on that basis the law was given to the people—why was there still a need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? ¹² For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. ¹³ He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. ¹⁴ For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe, Moses said nothing about priests.
¹⁵ And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, ¹⁶ one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. ¹⁷ For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
A Better Hope and a Better Covenant
¹⁸ The former regulation 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. ²⁰ And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, ²¹ but He became a priest with an oath when God said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’”
²² Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
²³ Now there have been many priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; ²⁴ but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. ²⁵ Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.
Jesus: The Perfect High Priest
²⁶ Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. ²⁷ Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself. ²⁸ For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
Footnotes:
1.“Salem” (verse 1) is often understood as an ancient name for Jerusalem, emphasizing peace.
2.“Without genealogy” (verse 3) symbolizes that Melchizedek’s priesthood is eternal and not based on lineage, foreshadowing Jesus.
3.“A tenth of the plunder” (verse 4) is a significant offering, symbolizing Abraham’s recognition of Melchizedek’s superior position.
4.“The power of an indestructible life” (verse 16) refers to Jesus’ eternal existence, unlike the priests who died and had to be replaced.
5.“A better covenant” (verse 22) speaks of the New Covenant in Jesus, which surpasses the Old Covenant established through the law.
