Jesus and the Priesthood of Melchizedek So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthood– for on that basis the people received the law– what further need would there have been for another priest to arise, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in Aaron’s order?
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12For when the priesthood changes, a change in the law must come as well.
13Yet the one these things are spoken about belongs to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever officiated at the altar.
14For it is clear that our Lord is descended from Judah, yet Moses said nothing about priests in connection with that tribe.
15And this is even clearer if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek,
16who has become a priest not by a legal regulation about physical descent but by the power of an indestructible life.
17For here is the testimony about him:“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
18On the one hand a former command is set aside because it is weak and useless,
19for the law made nothing perfect. On the other hand a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
20And since this was not done without a sworn affirmation– for the others have become priests without a sworn affirmation,
21but Jesus did so with a sworn affirmation by the one who said to him,“The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind,‘You are a priest forever’”–
22accordingly Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23And the others who became priests were numerous, because death prevented them from continuing in office,
24but he holds his priesthood permanently since he lives forever.
25So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
26For it is indeed fitting for us to have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
27He has no need to do every day what those priests do, to offer sacrifices first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people, since he did this in offering himself once for all.
28For the law appoints as high priests men subject to weakness, but the word of solemn affirmation that came after the law appoints a son made perfect forever.
1The High Priest of a Better Covenant Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We have such a high priest, one who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,
2a minister in the sanctuary and the true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up.
3For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. So this one too had to have something to offer.
4Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law.
5The place where they serve is a sketch and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary, just as Moses was warned by God as he was about to complete the tabernacle. For he says,“See that you make everything according to the design shown to you on the mountain.”
6But now Jesus has obtained a superior ministry, since the covenant that he mediates is also better and is enacted on better promises.
7For if that first covenant had been faultless, no one would have looked for a second one.
1The Nature of Melchizedek’s Priesthood Now this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him.
2To him also Abraham apportioned a tithe of everything. His name first means king of righteousness, then king of Salem, that is, king of peace.
3Without father, without mother, without genealogy, he has neither beginning of days nor end of life but is like the son of God, and he remains a priest for all time.
4But see how great he must be, if Abraham the patriarch gave him a tithe of his plunder.
5And those of the sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have authorization according to the law to collect a tithe from the people, that is, from their fellow countrymen, although they too are descendants of Abraham.
6But Melchizedek who does not share their ancestry collected a tithe from Abraham and blessed the one who possessed the promise.
7Now without dispute the inferior is blessed by the superior,
8and in one case tithes are received by mortal men, while in the other by him who is affirmed to be alive.
9And it could be said that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid a tithe through Abraham.
10For he was still in his ancestor Abraham’s loins when Melchizedek met him.
10and he was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
4And no one assumes this honor on his own initiative, but only when called to it by God, as in fact Aaron was.
5So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming high priest, but the one who glorified him was God, who said to him,“You are my Son! Today I have fathered you,”
6as also in another place God says,“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
20where Jesus our forerunner entered on our behalf, since he became a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
4The LORD makes this promise on oath and will not revoke it:“You are an eternal priest after the pattern of Melchizedek.”
11Christ’s Service in the Heavenly Sanctuary But now Christ has come as the high priest of the good things to come. He passed through the greater and more perfect tent not made with hands, that is, not of this creation,
1Concluding Exposition: Old and New Sacrifices Contrasted For the law possesses a shadow of the good things to come but not the reality itself, and is therefore completely unable, by the same sacrifices offered continually, year after year, to perfect those who come to worship.
2For otherwise would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers would have been purified once for all and so have no further consciousness of sin?
1For every high priest is taken from among the people and appointed to represent them before God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
11And every priest stands day after day serving and offering the same sacrifices again and again– sacrifices that can never take away sins.
10He has brought you near and all your brothers, the sons of Levi, with you. Do you now seek the priesthood also?
6So with these things prepared like this, the priests enter continually into the outer tent as they perform their duties.
9This was a symbol for the time then present, when gifts and sacrifices were offered that could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper.
17Therefore he had to be made like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.
1Jesus and Moses Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partners in a heavenly calling, take note of Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess,