Hebrews 7
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For this q Melchizedek, king of r Salem, priest of s the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
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and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.
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He is without father or mother t or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
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See how great this man was to whom Abraham u the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils!
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And v those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham.
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But this man w who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed x him who had the promises.
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It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior.
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In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one y of whom it is testified that z he lives.
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One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham,
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for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.
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a Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?
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For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.
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For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
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For it is evident that our Lord was descended b from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
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This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek,
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who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.
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For it is witnessed of him,
c "You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek."
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For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside d because of its weakness and uselessness
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(for e the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, f a better hope is introduced, through which g we draw near to God.
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And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath,
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but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:
h "The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
'You are a priest forever.'"
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This makes Jesus the guarantor of i a better covenant.
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The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,
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but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues j forever.
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Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost k those who draw near to God l through him, since he always lives m to make intercession for them.
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For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, n holy, innocent, unstained, o separated from sinners, and p exalted above the heavens.
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He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, q first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this r once for all when he offered up himself.
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For the law appoints men s in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made t perfect forever.
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Cross References
Genesis 14:18 - 20
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.)
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Cross References
Psalms 76:2
His abode has been established in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.
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Cross References
Numbers 24:16
The oracle of him who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered:
Deuteronomy 32:8
When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.
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Cross References
Hebrews 7:6
But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
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Cross References
Acts 2:29
Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
Acts 7:8 - 9
And he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.
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Cross References
Numbers 18:21
To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do, their service in the tent of meeting.
Numbers 18:26
Moreover, you shall speak and say to the Levites, 'When you take from the people of Israel the tithe that I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present a contribution from it to the Lord, a tithe of the tithe.
2 Chronicles 31:4 - 5
And he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the Law of the Lord.
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Cross References
Hebrews 7:3
He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
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Cross References
Romans 4:13
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
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Cross References
Hebrews 5:6
As he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:20
Where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
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Cross References
John 6:57
As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.
Revelation 1:17 - 18
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last.
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Cross References
Hebrews 7:18 - 19
For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness
Hebrews 8:7
For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.
Galatians 2:21
I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
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Cross References
Isaiah 11:1
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
Micah 5:2
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
Matthew 1:3
And Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.
Luke 3:33
The son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah.
Revelation 5:5
And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.
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Cross References
Hebrews 7:21
But this one was made 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.'
Hebrews 5:6
As he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:20
Where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Psalms 110:4
The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
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Cross References
Psalms 110:4
The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
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Cross References
Romans 8:3
For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh.
Galatians 4:9
But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
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Cross References
Hebrews 9:9
(which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper.
Hebrews 10:1
For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.
Leviticus 16:16
Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions, all their sins. And so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which dwells with them in the midst of their uncleannesses.
Acts 13:39
And by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.
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Cross References
Hebrews 6:18
So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
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Cross References
Hebrews 7:25
Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Leviticus 10:3
Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the Lord has said, 'Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.'" And Aaron held his peace.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
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Cross References
Hebrews 7:17
For it is witnessed of him, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.
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Cross References
Psalms 110:4
The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
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Cross References
Hebrews 8:6
But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
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Cross References
Hebrews 7:21
But this one was made 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.
Hebrews 7:28
For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
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Cross References
Hebrews 7:19
(for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
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Cross References
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
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Cross References
Hebrews 9:24
For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.
Romans 8:34
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
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Cross References
Psalms 16:10
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
Revelation 15:4
Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.
Revelation 16:5
And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, "Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments.
Mark 1:24
"What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy One of God."
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Cross References
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
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Cross References
Hebrews 8:1
Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven.
Hebrews 4:14
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
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Cross References
Hebrews 5:3
Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.
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Cross References
Hebrews 9:12
He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
Hebrews 10:10
And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Hebrews 9:28
So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
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Cross References
Hebrews 5:2
He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.
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Cross References
Hebrews 2:10
For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Hebrews 5:9
And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.