Hebrews 7 

New International Version (NIV)

Melchizedek the Priest

7 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

Jesus Like Melchizedek

11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.17 For it is declared:

“You are a priest forever,
    in the order of Melchizedek.”[a]

18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:

“The Lord has sworn
    and will not change his mind:
    ‘You are a priest forever.’”[b]

22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.

23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely[c] those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

Footnotes:

1. Hebrews 7:17 Psalm 110:4
2. Hebrews 7:21 Psalm 110:4
3. Hebrews 7:25 Or forever

Observation Questions

Melchizedek the Priest

When did Melchizedek meet Abraham? (verse 1)

What did Melchizedek do when he met Abraham? (verse 1)

What did Abraham give Melchizedek? (verse 2)

What does the name Melchizedek mean? (verse 2)

What does king of Salem mean? (verse 2)

How did Melchizedek resemble the Son of God? (verse 3)

Did Melchizedek trace his descent from Levi? (verse 6)

Why might one say that Levi who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham? (verse 9-10)

Jesus Like Melchizedek

When must the law be changed? (verse 12)

What was the basis of becoming a priest in verse 16?

Did the law make anything perfect? (verse 19)

Who does the better hope draw us near to? (verse 19)

What was the oath that made Jesus a priest? (verse 21)

Who has become the guarantor of a better covenant? (verse 22)

Why does Jesus have a permanent priesthood? (verse 23-24)

Who is Jesus able to save completely? (verse 25)

What are some of the qualities of our high priest? (verse 26)

When did Jesus sacrifice for sins? (verse 27)

Who has been made perfect forever? (verse 28)

Psalm 110 

New International Version (NIV)

Of David. A psalm.

 The Lord says to my lord:[a]

“Sit at my right hand
    until I make your enemies
    a footstool for your feet.”

 The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying,
    “Rule in the midst of your enemies!”
 Your troops will be willing
    on your day of battle.
Arrayed in holy splendor,
    your young men will come to you
    like dew from the morning’s womb.[b]

 The Lord has sworn
    and will not change his mind:
“You are a priest forever,
    in the order of Melchizedek.”

 The Lord is at your right hand[c];
    he will crush kings on the day of his wrath.
 He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead
    and crushing the rulers of the whole earth.
 He will drink from a brook along the way,[d]
    and so he will lift his head high.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 110:1 Or Lord
2. Psalm 110:3 The meaning of the Hebrew for this sentence is uncertain.
3. Psalm 110:5 Or My lord is at your right hand, Lord
4. Psalm 110:7 The meaning of the Hebrew for this clause is uncertain.