Read or listen The Epistle to the Hebrews chapter 7 online (ESV, Bible Gateway)

The New Priesthood – Hebrews 7:1-14

The writer of Hebrews knew the Old Testament so well that he knew that Jesus could not have been a Levitical priest. But the Old Testament also spoke – albeit extremely little – about another priesthood, the Melchizedek priesthood. Melchizedek is mentioned in only four Old Testament verses: Genesis 14:18-20 and Psalm 110:4. His character remains mysterious.

The name Melchizedek can be translated “king of righteousness,” “my king is the one who executes justice,” or “my king is righteousness.” Salem was ancient Jerusalem (Ps. 76:3), but its name can also be translated “king of peace,” reminding us of the Prince of Peace, or Messiah (Isa. 9:6).

When Genesis—which is usually filled with genealogies of notable people—says nothing about Melchizedek’s parents or lineage, the author concludes—as did the Jewish rabbis—that Melchizedek had no father or mother (verse 3). Melchizedek’s lack of genealogy meant that he could not serve as a Levitical priest, since Levitical priests had to be able to prove their Levitical lineage (Ezra 2:61-63). His priesthood, therefore, had to be something other than the Levitical priesthood.

Two things followed from the fact that Jesus represented a priesthood other than the Levitical priesthood:

1. The Jewish law was based on the Levitical priesthood, so when the priesthood changed, the law had to change too (verse 12).

2. Because Melchizedek was earlier than Levi (verses 9-10, Abraham was Levi's paternal grandfather), the Melchizedek priesthood was more valuable and superseded the Levitical priesthood.

Verse 14 uses a somewhat strange expression: Jesus has risen from the tribe of Judah. ​​The background is probably Balaam's Messianic prophecy about a star rising from Jacob (Numbers 24:17, see also Luke 1:69,78).

Also, the eternal life of Melchizedek mentioned in verse 8 is based on Psalm 110:4 of the Old Testament: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”"

Psalm 110 is a Messianic psalm, see especially verse 1: "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand. I will make your enemies your footstool, a footstool before your throne.'" In this sense too, Melchizedek can be seen as symbolizing Jesus.

The New High Priest – Hebrews 7:15-28

The author also mentions a third reason for the change of the law and priesthood: the old law did not work. Through it one could not be saved, because people were not able to fulfill the good regulations of the law (verses 18-19, compare Rom 7:12).

"For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God."
(verses 18-19)

The sacrifice Christ made differed from the sacrifices required by the Law of Moses in three ways:
1. It was offered only once, not daily.
2. Jesus did not have to sacrifice for himself, as the high priests of the old covenant had to do (Leviticus 16:6).
3. Jesus did not sacrifice animals but himself.

In verse 16 the author does not mean that the Levitical priesthood was not also based on God's decree (compare verse 28 and Deuteronomy 18:1-8). The author wants to emphasize specifically that the Levitical priesthood was based on inheritance: it was to remain in the tribe of Levi.

New high priests were continually being appointed (verse 23) because the old ones died. Christ, however, does not die, and therefore cannot be replaced by anyone or anything. He is the final high priest who has made the final sacrifice to atone for the sins of all people.