Analysis Of The Chapter In Hebrews 5:10, the apostle had introduced the name of Melchizedek, and said that Christ was made an high priest after the same order as he. He added, that he had much to say of him, but that they were not in a state of mind then to receive or understand it. He then Hebrews... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS MELCHISEDEK; - compare the notes on Hebrews 5:6. The name Melchizedek, from which the apostle derives a portion of his argument here, is Hebrew, מלכי־צדק Malkiy-Tsedeq, and is correctly explained as meaning “king of righteousness” - being compounded of two words - “king and righteousness.”... [ Continue Reading ]
TO WHOM ALSO ABRAHAM GAVE A TENTH PART OF ALL - That is, a tenth part of all the spoils which he had taken Genesis 14:20, thus acknowledging that in dignity of office Melchizedek was greatly his superior; Hebrews 7:4, Hebrews 7:6, Hebrews 7:8. This does not appear to have been on the part of Abraham... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT FATHER - The phrase “without father” - ἀπάτωρ apatōr - means literally one who has no father; one who has lost his father; one who is an orphan. Then it denotes one who is born after the death of his father; then one whose father is unknown - “spurious. Passow.” The word occurs often in t... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW CONSIDER HOW GREAT THIS MAN WAS - The object of the apostle was to exalt the rank and dignity of Melchizedek. The Jews had a profound veneration for Abraham, and if it could be shown that Melchizedek was superior to Abraham, then it would be easy to demonstrate the superiority of Christ as a pri... [ Continue Reading ]
AND VERILY THEY THAT ARE OF THE SONS OF LEVI - The meaning of this verse is, that the Levitical priests had a right to receive tithes of their brethren, but still that they were inferior to Melchizedek. The apostle admits that their superiority to the rest of the people was shown by the fact that th... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT HE WHOSE DESCENT IS NOT COUNTED FROM THEM - Melchizedek. The word “descent” is “pedigree” in the margin. The meaning is, that he was not “in the same genealogy” - μὴ γενεαλογούμενος mē genealogoumenos - he was not of the order of Levitical priests. That Melchizedek is meant there can be no do... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WITHOUT ALL CONTRADICTION - It is an admitted principle; a point about which there can be no dispute. THE LESS IS BLESSED OF THE BETTER - The act of pronouncing a blessing is understood to imply superiority of rank, age, or station. So when a father lays his hand on his children and blesses them... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HERE MEN THAT DIE RECEIVE TITHES - Another point showing the inferiority of the Levitical priesthood. They who thus received tithes, though by the right to do this they asserted a superiority over their brethren, were mortal. Like others, they would soon die; and in regard to the most essential... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AS I MAY SO SAY - So to speak - ὡς ἔπος εἰπεῖν hōs epos eipein. For numerous examples in the classic writers of this expression, see Wetstein in loc. It is used precisely as it is with us when we say “so to speak,” or “if I may be allowed the expression.” It is employed when what is said i... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE WAS YET IN THE LOINS OF HIS FATHER - Abraham is here called the father of Levi, by a common use of the word, referring to a more remote ancestor than the literal father. The meaning of the apostle is, that he was even then, in a certain sense, in the loins of Abraham, when Melchizedek met him... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THEREFORE PERFECTION WERE BY THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD - As the Jews supposed. They were accustomed to regard the system as perfect. It was an appointment of God, and they were tenacious of the opinion that it was to be permanent, and that it needed no change. But Paul says that this could not be.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE PRIESTHOOD BEING CHANGED - According to the prediction in Ps. cx., that it would be. When that occurs, the consequence specified will also follow. THERE IS MADE OF NECESSITY A CHANGE ALSO OF THE LAW - The Law so far as it grew out of that, or was dependent on it. The connection requires us t... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE OF WHOM THESE THINGS ARE SPOKEN - The Lord Jesus, the Messiah, to whom they had reference. The things here spoken of pertain to his office as priest; his being of the order of Melchizedek. The apostle here “assumes” it as a point concerning which there could be no dispute, that these things r... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IT IS EVIDENT THAT OUR LORD SPRANG OUT OF JUDAH - It is well known: it cannot be a matter of dispute. About the fact that the Lord Jesus was of the tribe of Judah, there could be no doubt; compare Matthew 1:3. But probably the apostle means here to refer to more than that simple fact. It was a d... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT IS YET FAR MORE EVIDENT - Not that our Lord would spring out of Judah, but the point which he was endeavoring to establish that there must be a change of the priesthood, was rendered still more evident from another consideration. A strong proof of the necessity of such a change of the priesth... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO IS MADE - That is, the other priest is made, to wit, the Messiah. He was made a priest by a special law. NOT AFTER THE LAW OF A CARNAL COMMANDMENT - Not according to the Law of a commandment pertaining to the flesh. The word “carnal” means “fleshly;” and the idea is, that the Law under which th... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE TESTIFIETH - “That this is the true account of it is proved by the testimony of God himself, that he was to be a priest for ever;” see the note on Hebrews 5:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THERE IS VERILY A DISANNULLING - A setting aside. The Law which existed before in regard to the priesthood becomes now abrogated in consequence of the change which has been made in the priesthood; see the note at Hebrews 7:12. OF THE COMMANDMENT - Relating to the office of priest, or to the cer... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE LAW MADE NOTHING PERFECT - The Levitical, ceremonial law. It did not produce a perfect state; it did not do what was desirable to be done for a sinner; see the note on Hebrews 7:11. That Law, as such, did not reconcile man to God; it did not make an atonement: it did not put away guilt; in o... [ Continue Reading ]
AND INASMUCH AS NOT WITHOUT AN OATH - In addition to every other consideration showing the superiority of Christ as a priest, there was the solemnity of the oath by which he was set apart to the office. The appointment of one to the office of priest by an oath, such as occurred in the case of Jesus,... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOSE PRIESTS WERE MADE WITHOUT AN OATH - The Levitical priests were set apart and consecrated without their office being confirmed to them by an oath on the part of God. They received it by regular descent, and when they arrived at a suitable age they entered on it of course. Jesus received his... [ Continue Reading ]
BY SO MUCH - Inasmuch as an oath is more solemn than a mere appointment. The meaning is, that there is all the additional security in the suretyship of Jesus which arises from the solemnity of an oath. It is not implied that God would not be true to his mere promise, but the argument here is derived... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY TRULY - Under the Jewish dispensation. The object of this verse and the following is, to state one more reason of the excellence of the priesthood of Christ. It is, that owing to the frailty of human nature, and the shortness of life, the office of priest there was continually changing. But... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THIS MAN - Greek “But he” - referring to Christ. BECAUSE HE CONTINUETH EVER - Greek “Because he remains forever.” The idea is because he does not die, but ever lives, he has an unchanging priesthood. There is no necessity that he should yield it to others, as was the case with the Jewish priest... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE HE IS ABLE ALSO - As he ever lives, and ever intercedes, he has power to save. He does not begin the work of salvation, and then relinquish it by reason of death, but he lives on as long as it is necessary that anything should be done for the salvation of his people. We need a Saviour who... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR SUCH AN HIGH PRIEST BECAME US - Was suited to our condition. That is, there was that in our character and circumstances which demanded that a high priest for us should be personally holy. It was not requisite merely that he should have great power; or that he should be of a rank superior to that... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO NEEDETH NOT DAILY, AS THOSE HIGH PRIESTS - As the Jewish priests. This is an additional circumstance introduced to show the superior excellency of the High Priest of the Christian profession, and to show also how he was suited to our wants. The Jewish high priest was a sinful man. He had the sam... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE LAW - The ceremonial law. WHICH HAVE INFIRMITY - Who are weak, frail, sinful, dying. Such were all who were appointed to the office of priest under the Jewish Law. BUT THE WORD OF THE OATH - By which one was appointed after the order of Melchizedek; note, Hebrews 7:21. MAKETH THE SON - Th... [ Continue Reading ]