Hebrews 7:11-19

Jesus Compared to Melchizedek

11 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? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended b from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.

17 For it is witnessed of him,
c "You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek."

18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside d because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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?
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.