Hebrews 7:17 - for it is testified, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” Psalm 110:4
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What does "Hebrews 7:17" mean?
Hebrews 7:17 quotes Psalm 110:4 to establish a key point about the priesthood of Jesus. Let's break down what it means:
"For it is testified...": This phrase indicates that the author of Hebrews is using scriptural evidence to support their argument. In this case, the evidence is Psalm 110:4.
"You are a priest forever...": This is a declaration about someone's priestly role being permanent and unending. This is significant because in the Old Testament Levitical priesthood, priests served for a limited time (usually their lifespan) and were succeeded by others. An "eternal priesthood" is something entirely new and different.
"...according to the order of Melchizedek.": This is the crucial part of the verse. It states that the priesthood is not in the lineage of Aaron and the Levitical priests (who were from the tribe of Levi). Instead, it follows a different, and superior, model: Melchizedek.
Melchizedek: This figure appears briefly in Genesis 14. He was both a king and a priest of God Most High. He blessed Abraham, who paid him tithes. Hebrews argues that Melchizedek is superior to Abraham (since Abraham paid him tithes), and therefore, the priesthood after his order is also superior.
"Order": This signifies a specific type or kind of priesthood. It implies certain characteristics, qualifications, and functions that are different from the Levitical priesthood.
Significance in the Context of Hebrews:
The author of Hebrews uses this verse to argue that Jesus is a priest of a better covenant than the Old Covenant, which was mediated by the Levitical priesthood. Here's why it's important:
1. Superior Priesthood: The Levitical priesthood was temporary and required constant sacrifices to atone for sins. Because Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek, His priesthood is eternal and His sacrifice (of Himself) is a once-for-all atonement for sins.
2. New Covenant: A different priesthood implies a different covenant. The Old Covenant was based on the Law of Moses, but the New Covenant, mediated by Jesus, is based on grace and faith.
3. Jesus' Authority: By connecting Jesus to the lineage of Melchizedek, the author establishes Jesus' authority to be a priest even though He was not from the tribe of Levi. Jesus' priesthood is based on His divine sonship and His perfect, eternal nature, not on lineage.
4. Psalm 110: The reference to Psalm 110:4 provides a direct link back to the Old Testament scriptures and shows that this new and different type of priesthood was forseen and foretold.
In summary:
Hebrews 7:17, quoting Psalm 110:4, is a cornerstone of the argument that Jesus is a superior priest who inaugurated a new and better covenant. By being a priest "according to the order of Melchizedek," Jesus' priesthood is eternal, based on divine appointment rather than lineage, and leads to a more effective and permanent solution to the problem of sin. The verse emphasizes the radical shift from the Old Testament system to the New Testament reality in Christ.
Hebrews 7:17 - for it is testified, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” Psalm 110:4
What does "Hebrews 7:17" mean?
Hebrews 7:17 quotes Psalm 110:4 to establish a key point about the priesthood of Jesus. Let's break down what it means:
"For it is testified...": This phrase indicates that the author of Hebrews is using scriptural evidence to support their argument. In this case, the evidence is Psalm 110:4.
"You are a priest forever...": This is a declaration about someone's priestly role being permanent and unending. This is significant because in the Old Testament Levitical priesthood, priests served for a limited time (usually their lifespan) and were succeeded by others. An "eternal priesthood" is something entirely new and different.
"...according to the order of Melchizedek.": This is the crucial part of the verse. It states that the priesthood is not in the lineage of Aaron and the Levitical priests (who were from the tribe of Levi). Instead, it follows a different, and superior, model: Melchizedek.
Melchizedek: This figure appears briefly in Genesis 14. He was both a king and a priest of God Most High. He blessed Abraham, who paid him tithes. Hebrews argues that Melchizedek is superior to Abraham (since Abraham paid him tithes), and therefore, the priesthood after his order is also superior.
"Order": This signifies a specific type or kind of priesthood. It implies certain characteristics, qualifications, and functions that are different from the Levitical priesthood.
Significance in the Context of Hebrews:
The author of Hebrews uses this verse to argue that Jesus is a priest of a better covenant than the Old Covenant, which was mediated by the Levitical priesthood. Here's why it's important:
1. Superior Priesthood: The Levitical priesthood was temporary and required constant sacrifices to atone for sins. Because Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek, His priesthood is eternal and His sacrifice (of Himself) is a once-for-all atonement for sins.
2. New Covenant: A different priesthood implies a different covenant. The Old Covenant was based on the Law of Moses, but the New Covenant, mediated by Jesus, is based on grace and faith.
3. Jesus' Authority: By connecting Jesus to the lineage of Melchizedek, the author establishes Jesus' authority to be a priest even though He was not from the tribe of Levi. Jesus' priesthood is based on His divine sonship and His perfect, eternal nature, not on lineage.
4. Psalm 110: The reference to Psalm 110:4 provides a direct link back to the Old Testament scriptures and shows that this new and different type of priesthood was forseen and foretold.
In summary:
Hebrews 7:17, quoting Psalm 110:4, is a cornerstone of the argument that Jesus is a superior priest who inaugurated a new and better covenant. By being a priest "according to the order of Melchizedek," Jesus' priesthood is eternal, based on divine appointment rather than lineage, and leads to a more effective and permanent solution to the problem of sin. The verse emphasizes the radical shift from the Old Testament system to the New Testament reality in Christ.