Hebrews 7:13 - For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Hebrews 7:13" mean?
Hebrews 7:13, "For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar," is a key part of the author's argument for the superiority of Melchizedek and, consequently, of Jesus' priesthood over the Levitical priesthood. Let's break down what it means:
"For he of whom these things are said..." This "he" refers to Jesus, the subject of the preceding verses. The author has been describing Jesus in terms of Melchizedek, drawing parallels between their roles as king and priest and emphasizing Melchizedek's superior status.
"...belongs to another tribe..." This is the crux of the verse. Jesus, being a descendant of Judah, not Levi, did not come from the priestly tribe. Under the Old Covenant Law, the priesthood was exclusively reserved for the descendants of Levi. Specifically, the Aaronic priesthood (the high priestly line) descended from Aaron, Moses' brother, who was of the tribe of Levi.
"...from which no one has officiated at the altar." This reinforces the previous point. The tribe of Judah was not permitted to perform priestly duties at the altar in the Tabernacle or Temple. Only Levites, particularly the descendants of Aaron, were allowed to serve as priests and offer sacrifices. The altar represented the place of atonement for sins through the sacrificial system.
The Significance
The verse highlights a major problem, according to the author of Hebrews. Jesus, the Messiah, the one who is High Priest, did not come from the tribe that was authorized to be priests according to the Old Covenant. This creates a tension.
The Argument of Hebrews
The author uses this apparent contradiction to argue for:
1. A Change in the Law: If Jesus is a priest, and he's not a Levite, then the law regarding the priesthood must have changed. This indicates a transition from the Old Covenant (Levitical priesthood) to a New Covenant (a different, superior priesthood).
2. The Superiority of Melchizedek's Priesthood: Because Jesus is a priest "after the order of Melchizedek," and Melchizedek was not a Levite, it demonstrates that Jesus' priesthood is of a different, higher order. Melchizedek's priesthood was based on a direct appointment from God and not on lineage. This implies that Jesus' priesthood, modeled after Melchizedek's, is also based on God's direct appointment, and thus, superior to the Levitical priesthood which was based on lineage.
3. The Completion of the Levitical System: Since Jesus, a non-Levite, can be a legitimate priest, it means the Old Covenant system is no longer necessary or adequate. Jesus fulfills the role of the perfect high priest and offers the ultimate sacrifice, making the Levitical sacrifices obsolete.
In summary, Hebrews 7:13 is a pivotal verse that underscores the author's argument that the priesthood of Jesus, modeled after Melchizedek, transcends and replaces the Levitical priesthood of the Old Covenant. It's a crucial step in establishing the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant.
Hebrews 7:13 - For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
What does "Hebrews 7:13" mean?
Hebrews 7:13, "For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar," is a key part of the author's argument for the superiority of Melchizedek and, consequently, of Jesus' priesthood over the Levitical priesthood. Let's break down what it means:
"For he of whom these things are said..." This "he" refers to Jesus, the subject of the preceding verses. The author has been describing Jesus in terms of Melchizedek, drawing parallels between their roles as king and priest and emphasizing Melchizedek's superior status.
"...belongs to another tribe..." This is the crux of the verse. Jesus, being a descendant of Judah, not Levi, did not come from the priestly tribe. Under the Old Covenant Law, the priesthood was exclusively reserved for the descendants of Levi. Specifically, the Aaronic priesthood (the high priestly line) descended from Aaron, Moses' brother, who was of the tribe of Levi.
"...from which no one has officiated at the altar." This reinforces the previous point. The tribe of Judah was not permitted to perform priestly duties at the altar in the Tabernacle or Temple. Only Levites, particularly the descendants of Aaron, were allowed to serve as priests and offer sacrifices. The altar represented the place of atonement for sins through the sacrificial system.
The Significance
The verse highlights a major problem, according to the author of Hebrews. Jesus, the Messiah, the one who is High Priest, did not come from the tribe that was authorized to be priests according to the Old Covenant. This creates a tension.
The Argument of Hebrews
The author uses this apparent contradiction to argue for:
1. A Change in the Law: If Jesus is a priest, and he's not a Levite, then the law regarding the priesthood must have changed. This indicates a transition from the Old Covenant (Levitical priesthood) to a New Covenant (a different, superior priesthood).
2. The Superiority of Melchizedek's Priesthood: Because Jesus is a priest "after the order of Melchizedek," and Melchizedek was not a Levite, it demonstrates that Jesus' priesthood is of a different, higher order. Melchizedek's priesthood was based on a direct appointment from God and not on lineage. This implies that Jesus' priesthood, modeled after Melchizedek's, is also based on God's direct appointment, and thus, superior to the Levitical priesthood which was based on lineage.
3. The Completion of the Levitical System: Since Jesus, a non-Levite, can be a legitimate priest, it means the Old Covenant system is no longer necessary or adequate. Jesus fulfills the role of the perfect high priest and offers the ultimate sacrifice, making the Levitical sacrifices obsolete.
In summary, Hebrews 7:13 is a pivotal verse that underscores the author's argument that the priesthood of Jesus, modeled after Melchizedek, transcends and replaces the Levitical priesthood of the Old Covenant. It's a crucial step in establishing the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant.