College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Hebrews 7:11-19
As seen in the imperfection of the Levitical priesthood. Hebrews 7:11-19.
Text
Hebrews 7:11 Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron? Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. Hebrews 7:13 For He of Whom these things are said belongeth to another tribe, from which no man hath given attendance at the altar.
Hebrews 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord hath sprung out of Judah; as to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priests. Hebrews 7:15 And what we say is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there ariseth another Priest, Hebrews 7:16 Who hath been made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life: Hebrews 7:17 for it is witnessed of Him,
Thou art a priest for ever
After the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:18 For there is a disannulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness Hebrews 7:19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw nigh unto God.
Paraphrase
Hebrews 7:11 Moreover, to show you the inferiority of the Levitical priesthood to the priesthood of Christ, I ask, If the pardon of sin were really to be obtained through the ministrations of the Levitical priesthood, because on account of establishing that priesthood the Israelites received the law; what further need was there that a different priest should arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not to be called according to the order of Aaron? Is not the prediction, of the raising up of a priest of a different order from that of Aaron, a declaration of the inefficacy of the Levitical priesthood, and of God's intention to change it?
Hebrews 7:12 Wherefore, the priesthood, on account of which the law was given, being changed, of necessity there must be a change also of the law itself.
Hebrews 7:13 Now, God certainly intended to change the priesthood from the tribe of Levi: For He to Whom He said, Thou art a priest, was of a different tribe, of which no one ever officiated as a priest at the altar; nor by the law could officiate.
Hebrews 7:14 For it is very plain from the scriptures, that our Lord Messiah, called by David, (Psalms 110:1) his Lord, and to Whom God said, -Thou art a priest,-' was to spring up from Judah; to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning their obtaining the priesthood.
Hebrews 7:15 Moreover, it is still more exceedingly plain from God's oath, that, according to the similitude of Melchizedek, a different kind of Priest from the Levitical ariseth, Who, like Melchizedek, will be also a King;wherefore, since the law was given for the purpose of establishing the priesthood, (Hebrews 7:11.), the priesthood being changed, the law must be changed likewise, Hebrews 7:12.:
Hebrews 7:16 Who is made, not according to the law, whose commandment concerning the priests hath a respect only to their bodily strength, but according to the power of that endless life which He possesses, and by which He can minister as a priest for ever.
Hebrews 7:17 For God testifieth concerning Him, Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek, Like Melchizedek, thou art a Priest and a King, and shalt continue the only Priest of the people of God, so long as they have any need of the Priest's office.
Hebrews 7:18 Well, then, the priesthood being changed, there is a total abrogation of the precedent commandment, the law of Moses, because of its weakness in reforming mankind, and its unprofitableness in procuring for sinners;
Hebrews 7:19 For the law by its priesthood made no one perfect in respect of pardon and access to God: But the after introduction of a better priesthood, as the foundation of a better hope, maketh men perfect in these respects; by which priesthood we worship God acceptably. (See Ephesians 2:18.)
Comment
Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood
God's full benevolent and saving purpose was not in it. Frail, sinful man, acting as priests, could not be perfect. The Greek word for perfection means properly completed, consummated.
for under it hath the people received the law
This is to say that the law was annexed to the priesthood. It was to show that the priesthood was foundational.
a.
With it the law stood or fell.
b.
The law then was no ultimate end at which we ought to stop.
c.
When the priesthood was changed, naturally the law would go with it.
what further need was there that another Priest arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron?
If the old system could bring perfection, then why did God Speak through David of a change? Cf. Psalms 110:4. The blood of Jesus, not after the order of Aaron, would not have been required if perfection could be gained otherwise.
for the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law
The Seventh Day Adventists cannot escape this.
a.
Galatians 3:21: If there had been a law given which could have given life, then verily righteousness would have been of law.
b.
c.
Colossians 2:14 states that the law was nailed to the cross.
d.
We are not obligated under law to tithe, but we are under love to do more.
1.
The law of the tithe is changed, for that is the portion of the law he has dealt with in the tithe.
2.
We cannot worship with a tithe, which is already God'S, only as we sacrifice beyond the tithe.
For He of whom these things are said
Psalms 110:4: Jehovah hath sworn and will not repent. Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek. All of this discussion is centered upon Christ.
belongeth to another tribe
Jesus came from the house of David, of the tribe of Judah. Jeremiah 23:5 is the prophecy: Behold the days cometh, saith Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous branch and he shall reign as King and deal wisely. This shows the completeness of the change. The tribe of Judah was not allowed in the Old Testament to fill the priestly office.
a.
2 Chronicles 26:19: King Uzziah of the tribe of Judah tried it, and became leprous.
from which no man hath given attendance at the altar
The tribe of Judah could not serve at the altar. Christ is a priest contrary to the law.
For it is evident that our Lord hath sprung out of Judah, as to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priests
It is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah refers to the genealogies and prophecies. Which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priests indicates the silence.
And what we say is yet more abundantly evident
The argument of silence, he says, is not all of the matter. The author is interested in giving unanswerable argument, and such is found only in the scriptures.
if after the likeness of Melchisedek there ariseth another priest
How was Melchizedek's and Christ's priesthood different from the Levitical?
a.
The Levitical Priesthood
Many priests
Yearly, repeated sacrifices
Sinful
Final death
b.
Christ's priesthood
One priest
Once
Sinless
The likeness is in the character of the office.
Who hath been made
The Levites were made priests, not because of superiority, but by carnal descent. Priests were made, appointed, and no one could take the office upon himself.
not after the law of a carnal commandment
Law was added as a temporary thing.
Law was given because of their hardness.
a.
b.
Carnality is used here to suggest temporariness.
but after the power of an endless life
Christ is greater than the Levitical priests.
a.
Those priests had no power, but our Priest does. Matthew 28:18.
b.
Those priests were not kings, but Christ is.
c.
Those priests did not have full sympathy, but Christ is touched with our infirmities. Hebrews 4:15.
Newell says: Endlessness is not the best word here, for it is the undying character of the risen Lord that is meant rather than its mere endlessness.
For it is witnessed of Him, Thou art a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek
It is witnessed of Him refers to a testimony.
a.
Also translated it is testified. See Psalms 110:4.
b.
The scriptures are the best interpreters of the scriptures. This ought to settle the question with the Jew, for David spoke of it.
for there is a disannulling
The old covenant is done away. It was for the children of Israel only.
a.
Leviticus 27:34; These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses for the children of Israel on Mount Sinai. Disannulling is the Greek athetcsisthe same word as in Hebrews 9:26 where we have putting away sin, The disappearance is thorough.
The disannulling is discussed in several books of the New Testament:
a.
b.
c
d.
of a foregoing commandment
This refers to the old covenant. The inferiority of the old foregoing commandments is evident.
a.
They were never given to the entire human race.
b.
The law was given to Israelto no other. Psalms 147:19-20.
c.
The object was to reveal sin, not to save.
d.
Its principle was law; the new law is love.
because of its weakness
It could not make alive. 1 Corinthians 15:22: In Christ all are made alive, It could not take away sin.
a.
Hebrews 10:4: For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.
b.
Only one life could show the real love of God.
1.
Not of cattle.
2.
Not of angels.
3.
Not of men, but Christ's life.
c.
Christ's blood is able to take away sins, where other blood was unable to do so.
d.
Romans 3:25: Once for all. Cp. Hebrews 9:28.
e.
Galatians 3:21: If there had been a law given which could make alive, verily righteousness would have been of the law.
and unprofitableness
Does this disagree with Galatians 3:24?
a.
It brought us to that which is profitable.
b.
It was unprofitable in its ability to take away sin.
It must mean that within itself it was unprofitable.
for the law made nothing perfect
It was not sufficient to meet and accomplish God's purpose.
a.
Galatians 3:21: Is the law against the promises of God? God forbid; for if there had been a law given which could make alive, verily righteousness would have been of the law.
b.
Romans 8:3: For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending His Own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.
Milligan argues that Owing to the weakness and imperfection of the flesh (Romans 8:3) the law perfected nothing.
and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope
All can see the superior hope of the Christian as seen in the power of Christ.
a.
Romans 8:11: But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwelleth in you, He that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through His Spirit that dwelleth in you.
The wise person should always take the better when it is offered.
through which we draw nigh unto God
It is Christ, John 14:6, the Way, our Hope, which brings us nigh unto God. We may define our Hope in particulars, such as new body, new home, etc., but the fact remains that Christ is our Hope.
Study Questions
1177.
Does Hebrews 7:11 indicate that the law that contained the Levitical priesthood was not adequate?
1178.
In what way did it lack perfection?
1179.
What is actually meant by the word perfect here?
1180.
Does this verse say that the law was affixed to an already existing priesthood?
1181.
Who did Jacob and his sons pay tithes to?
1182.
Jacob vowed to tithe. Who received it?
1183.
The inability of the law called for what?
1184.
Why couldn-'t it have been that God would improve the Aaronic priesthood instead of reckoning it after Melchizedek?
1185.
When God changed priesthoods, what else did he also change?
1186.
What does this do to the Seventh Day Adventist doctrine?
1187.
Why did the law have to be changed? Cf. Galatians 3:21.
1188.
What does this verse do to the law of tithe?
1189.
Are we obligated more since we are under a greater priesthood?
1190.
Can it be said that Jesus is a Priest contrary to the law of Moses?
1191.
Is this an argument from silencenothing said, nothing condemned?
1192.
Of what tribe did Jesus come?
1193.
What is the evidence?
1194.
What did Moses have to say?
1195.
What did the prophets say?
1196.
If Christ had been of the tribe of Levi, would it have been as complete a change?
1197.
What happened to King Uzziah of Judah when he tried to act as priest? Cf. 2 Chronicles 26:19.
1198.
Is the author through arguing the case according to Hebrews 7:15?
1199.
What is the more abundant argument? Is all of it found in Hebrews 7:15?
1200.
Name the differences in Christ's priesthood and the Levitical one.
1201.
How is Christ's like that of Melchizedek?
1202.
How were the Levitical priests chosen?
1203.
Was it because of superiority over the other tribes?
1204.
What is meant by, carnal commandment?
1205.
Why was the law given at all? Cf. Matthew 19:8 and Mark 10:5.
1206.
Whose endless life is referred to here?
1207.
Could it be said that Melchizedek's endless life had power?
1208.
What is meant by endless life?
1209.
Is the word after a period of time?
1210.
Describe the power that Christ had that these priests did not have.
1211.
A witness is referred to here. What is witnessed? Hebrews 7:17.
1212.
What is the witness? Could it be Psalms 110:4?
1213.
What word could be used in place of witness?
1214.
Define the word disannulling.
1215.
Was the law a universal law? Cf. Psalms 147:19-20; Leviticus 27:34.
1216.
If it was for the Jews only, how much was there a need for a universal law?
1217.
Compare the disannulling expression with Romans 6:14; Romans 7:4-6; Colossians 2:14; Ephesians 2:15.
1218.
What does the foregoing commandment refer to?
1219.
If there were ten, why is it singular here?
1220.
In what ways was the earlier commandment inferior to Christ's covenant?
1221.
In what way was it weak?
1222.
Could it make man alive? Cf. 1 Corinthians 15:22.
1223.
Could it take away sin? Cf. Hebrews 10:4.
1224.
Could anything less than Christ demonstrate so great a love?
1225.
Was the law of no value when he says that it was unprofitable?
1226.
Galatians 3:24 says something was a tutor. What was it?
1227.
In what realm was the law unprofitable?
1228.
He says that the law made nothing perfect?. Is this the fault of the law or of the men to whom it was directed? Cf. Romans 8:3; Galatians 3:21.
1229.
Was there ever a perfect person under the law?
1230.
What brought in a better hopethe law?
1231.
Was it the law of Moses, or the new priestly system?
1232.
Why do you think so?
1233.
Read the 18th and 19th verses as one sentence to give the true exegesis.
1234.
Should we not always take the better of two ways?
1235.
Name the ways in which our better hope works.
1236.
What is it in this verse that helps us to draw nigh unto God?
1237.
Is he saying that Christ is our Hope, and it is through Him that we draw nigh unto God?