Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)
Hebrews 7 - Introduction
The subject of Christ's priesthood is resumed; the interpolated admonition (Hebrews 5:11 to Hebrews 6:20) having been skilfully brought round to a second mention of Melchizedek. The chief reason for introducing the priesthood of Melchizedek as the type of Christ's priesthood was that it was “for ever”. The Aaronic priesthood was successional, this single; and in this sense “for ever”. There were, however, other reasons. The first question with a Jew who was enjoined to trust to Christ's priestly mediation, would be, What are His orders? He belonged to a tribe “of which Moses had spoken nothing concerning priesthood”. He might or might not be the true heir to David's throne; but if He was, did not this very circumstance exclude him from the priestly office? Was it credible that the nation had been encouraged rigorously to exclude from the priesthood every interloper, only in order that at last this rigidly preserved order should be entirely disregarded? This writer seizes upon the fact that there was a greater priest than Aaron mentioned in Scripture a priest more worthy to be the type of the Messianic priesthood, because he was himself a king, and especially because he belonged to no successional priestly order but was himself the entire order. This idea of a priesthood superseding that of Levi's sons found its way into Scripture through the hymn (Psalms 110) which celebrated the dignity (as priest-king) of Simon the Maccabee. Bickell has shown that the first four verses of the Psalm are an acrostic on the name Simon, שׁמען. When the Maccabees displaced the Aaronic priesthood, they found their Justification in the priestly dignity of Melchizedek, and assumed his style, calling themselves “priests of the Most High God”. Cf. Charles, Book of Jubilees, pp. lix. and 191. The chapter may be divided thus:
I. Characteristics of Melchizedek, 1 10.
1. In himself as depicted in Scripture, 1 3.
2. In his relation to Levi and his line, 4 10.
II. Inadequacy of Levitical priesthood in comparison with the Melchizedek priesthood of Christ, 11 25.
1. Levi being provisional, Melchizedek being permanent, 11 14.
2. Official and hereditary: personal and eternal, 15 19.
3. Without oath: with oath, therefore final, 20 22.
4. Plural and successional: singular and enduring, 23 25.
III. Summary of the merits of the new Melchizedek Priest, Jesus.