Commentary on Hebrews

1For this Melchisedec, the king of Salem, was apriest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him,

2To whom also Abraham divided the tenth of all; who is first indeed, by interpretation, called the King of righteousness, and then also the King of Salem, that is, the King of peace;

3Without father, without mother, without kindred, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but being made like to the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

4Now consider how great is he, to whom the patriarch Abraham gave even the tenth of the spoils.

5And they indeed who receive the priesthood, even those who are of the sons of Levi, have a command to take the tenth, according to the law from the people, that is, from their brethren, though they have come forth from the loins of Abraham:

6But he whose kindred is not counted from them, took the tenth from Abraham, and blessed him who had the promises:

7And without all controversy, the less is blessed by the greater.

8And here indeed men who die receive the tenth; but there he, of whom it is testified that he liveth;

9And as I may so say, Levi who is wont to receive the tenth, paid the tenth in Abraham;

10For he was as yet in the loins of his father when Melchisedec met him.

11If then there was perfection by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what need there was still, that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and should not be called after the order of Aaron?

12For when the priesthood is changed, there is also necessarily achange of the law.

13Doubtless he of whom these things are said, was from another tribe, from which no one attended at the altar:

14For it is clear that our Lord descended from the tribe of Judah, of which tribe Moses has said nothing as to the priesthood;

15And it is still more clear, since another priest was to rise according to the order of Melchisedec;

16Who was not made according to the law of a carnal command, but according to the power of a permanent life;

17For he thus testifies, “Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec.”

18For there is an abrogation of the former command, on account of its weakness and uselessness;

19For the law perfected nothing, but wasan introduction to a better hope, by which we draw nigh to God;

20And this is better, because it was not done without an oath:

21For they indeed are made priests without an oath; but he with an oath by him who said to him, “Thou art a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedec.”

22Of so much a better covenant is Jesus made the surety.

23And they indeed being many were made priests, for they were not suffered by death to continue:

24But he, as he remains perpetually, has an unchangeable priesthood.

25Hence he is able also to save for ever those who through him come to God, always living, that he may intercede for them.

26For such a high priest became us, being holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and higher than the heavens;

27Who has no need, as the priests, daily to offer sacrifices, first for their own sins, and then for the sinsof the people; for this he did once when he offered up himself.

28The law indeed makes men priests who have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the Law, the Son, made perfect for ever.