Hebrews Chapter Seven, Loftiness

 

Hebrews 7:26d and has become higher than the heavens;

 

The Greek word for “higher,” in this verse is, “hupselos,” and means, “lofty in place or character.” The same term is used in Acts 13:17, where it is written, “The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted (hupselos) arm He brought them out of it.” Loftiness is in view, and since we may dismiss literal, physical loftiness from both verses, the idea is positional.

Hebrews Chapter Seven, Jesus: Incapable Of Sin

 

Hebrews 7:26c For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is… undefiled, separate from sinners,

 

To defile something (or someone) means to take away their purity or innocence. The High Priest that is fitting for sinful mankind is undefiled. This makes perfect sense, since mankind is entirely defiled.

Hebrews Chapter Seven, Attributes Of Our High Priest

 

Hebrews 7:26a For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy,

 

Jesus is a fitting High Priest for sinful humanity. Why? This verse answers the question. Jesus is, first of all, holy. Holiness is a quality uniquely God’s. More to the point, it is natively His, though He imparts it to those who come to Him through His Son.

Hebrews Chapter Seven, The Foundation For Eternal Security

 

Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

 

The word “therefore” appears when a verse or passage preceding its arrival establishes a point the writer is emphasizing. In verses 23 and 24 he contrasted the priests of the Aaronic priesthood, who could not continue because of death with Christ, who continues forever and has an unchangeable priesthood. Verse 25 begins with the idea of the author stating, “because of these truths…”

Hebrews Chapter Seven, Endless Priesthood

Hebrews 7:23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. [24] But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.

 

The Aaronic priesthood of course had limitations. One of those limitations was the inherent mortality of the priest officiating at God’s altar. Whether the writer is assuming many priests at any given time serving in the tabernacle or a succession of high priests since Aaron, the idea is that many men accepted offerings from the hands of their fellow Jews.

Hebrews Chapter Seven, Made Priest With An Oath

 

Hebrews 7:20 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath [21] (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not relent, you are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek’”), [22] by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

 

The comparison between the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthood continues. Jesus was made priest with an oath given by God the Father. God had sworn an oath over the Christ’s right to the priesthood, unlike the many priests that served the earthly tabernacle for hundreds of years from the time of Aaron until the destruction of Jerusalem’s temple in April of 70 AD by general Titus by order of his father, the emperor Vespasian.

Hebrews Chapter Seven, A Better Hope

 

Hebrews 7:18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, [19] for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

 

Verse 18 through 19a describes what the writer entails as, “on the one hand.” This phrase is used to introduce a point of view, followed by a contrast against its counterpart. The verse begins with the annulling of the former commandment. This is the “fleshly commandment” he mentioned in verse 16, indicating the Law and all it incorporated. He speaks a little later of the earthly tabernacle, which stood at the heart of the Law, describing it as, “fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation,” Hebrews 9:10. The former commandment of Hebrews 7:18 is the fleshly ordinance of Hebrews 9:10, annulled because it was only efficacious as Israel’s tutor UNTIL the time of reformation.

Hebrews Chapter Seven, The Power Of An Endless Life

 

Hebrews 7:15 And it is far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest [16] who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. [17] For He testifies: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

 

Verse 14 explained that it is evident that Jesus arose from the tribe of Judah, and would not be a priest on earth had He remained here. Verse 15 now contrasts the former verse, adding that it is far more evident, if there arose another priest according to the likeness of Melchizedek.

Hebrews Chapter Seven, Descent From Judah

 

Hebrews 7:13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. [14] For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

 

The writer pauses here to briefly assert Jesus’ biological ancestry. Verse 13 is simply a tacit admission that Levi was the priestly tribe, and no other tribe was permitted by God to serve at the altar. Mind you, this didn’t stop northern Samaria from doing just that when Jeroboam broke from Israel and led ten of the twelve tribes into rebellion against the house of David.

Hebrews Chapter Seven, Transference Of Power

 

Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. [13] For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.

 

The Aaronic priesthood was implemented as a teaching tool. As stated previously, the Law was to magnify sin, or rather to identify it for what it was. Also, the Law was to lead the penitent to Christ. The endless round of sacrifice the priests of Levi ministered to, by very definition of their repetition, indicated not completion or salvation, but a reminder that the issue of sin was unresolved during the dispensation of the Law. 

Hebrews Chapter Seven, Melchizedek Lives

 

Hebrews 7:8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. [9] Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, [10] for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

 

Verse 8 carries a deific flavor to it, since the writer blatantly contrasts “mortal men” with Melchizedek, who is witnessed to live on. This verse creates a connection with verse 3. When taken of itself the naturalistic explanation concerning Melchizedek can comfortably stand on solid ground.

Hebrews Chapter Seven, The Seat Of Blessing

 

Hebrews 7:6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. [7] Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better.

 

The first word to focus upon in verse 6 is “genealogy.” Used also in verse 3, it is translated “descent” in the KJV, but verses 3 and 6 actually coming from different terms. Verse 3 incorporates the whole phrase, “without genealogy” when translating and is taken from the term, “agenealogetos,” which means, “unregistered as to birth.” 

Hebrews Chapter Seven, Abraham's Tithe

 

Hebrews 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. [5] And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham;

 

How great this man was is not contested. Abraham, inheritor of God’s blessing and promises, tithed to Melchizedek and the high priest in turn uttered a benediction. Abram gave him a tenth (or tithe) of all; clearly an act of acknowledgement: not only that the patriarch knew of Melchizedek, but also knew his esteemed position as God’s high priest and honored that with a tithe, or tenth, a number that seems to accompany matters of divine government. Most famously this is showcased in the Ten Commandments or the ten plagues upon Egypt’s gods.

Hebrews Chapter Seven, Melchizedek: High Priest Continually

The opposing camp suggests that Melchizedek was either a pre-incarnate Christ or an angel; so I suppose that really means this camp is even divided in opinion as to what to make of Melchizedek’s appearance in the Old Testament. Dr. Henry Morris was of the opinion that Melchizedek was a theophany of Christ, come out to greet Abraham.