Hebrews · Unlocked Literal Bible
Hebrews 7 Unlocked Literal Bible
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 It was this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him.
1 Οὗτος γὰρ ὁ Μελχισεδέκ, βασιλεὺς Σαλήμ, ἱερεὺς τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ὑψίστου, ὁ συναντήσας Ἀβραὰμ ὑποστρέφοντι ἀπὸ τῆς κοπῆς τῶν βασιλέων καὶ εὐλογήσας αὐτόν,
2 It was to him that Abraham gave a tenth of everything. His name “Melchizedek” means “king of righteousness.” His other title is “king of Salem,” that is, “king of peace.”
2 ᾧ καὶ δεκάτην ἀπὸ πάντων ἐμέρισεν Ἀβραάμ, πρῶτον μὲν ἑρμηνευόμενος βασιλεὺς δικαιοσύνης, ἔπειτα δὲ καὶ βασιλεὺς Σαλήμ, ὅ ἐστι βασιλεὺς εἰρήνης,
3 He is without father, without mother, without ancestors, with neither beginning of days nor end of life. Instead, he resembles the Son of God, because he remains a priest forever.
3 ἀπάτωρ, ἀμήτωρ, ἀγενεαλόγητος, μήτε ἀρχὴν ἡμερῶν μήτε ζωῆς τέλος ἔχων, ἀφωμοιωμένος δὲ τῷ υἱῷ τοῦ Θεοῦ, μένει ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸ διηνεκές.
4 See how great this man was to whom the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the things that he had taken in battle.
4 Θεωρεῖτε δὲ πηλίκος οὗτος, ᾧ καὶ δεκάτην Ἀβραὰμ ἔδωκεν ἐκ τῶν ἀκροθινίων ὁ πατριάρχης.
5 The sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have a command from the law to collect tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, even though they, too, have come from Abraham's body.
5 καὶ οἱ μὲν ἐκ τῶν υἱῶν Λευῒ τὴν ἱερατείαν λαμβάνοντες ἐντολὴν ἔχουσιν ἀποδεκατοῦν τὸν λαὸν κατὰ τὸν νόμον, τοῦτ᾽ ἔστι τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτῶν, καίπερ ἐξεληλυθότας ἐκ τῆς ὀσφύος Ἀβραάμ·
6 But Melchizedek, whose descent was not traced from them, received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him, the one who had the promises.
6 ὁ δὲ μὴ γενεαλογούμενος ἐξ αὐτῶν δεδεκάτωκε τὸν Ἀβραάμ, καὶ τὸν ἔχοντα τὰς ἐπαγγελίας εὐλόγηκε.
7 There is no denying that the lesser person is blessed by the greater person.
7 χωρὶς δὲ πάσης ἀντιλογίας τὸ ἔλαττον ὑπὸ τοῦ κρείττονος εὐλογεῖται.
8 In this case, mortal men receive tithes, but in that case it is testified that he lives on.
8 καὶ ὧδε μὲν δεκάτας ἀποθνήσκοντες ἄνθρωποι λαμβάνουσιν, ἐκεῖ δὲ μαρτυρούμενος ὅτι ζῇ.
9 And, in a manner of speaking, Levi, who received tithes, also paid tithes through Abraham,
9 καὶ ὡς ἔπος εἰπεῖν, διὰ Ἀβραὰμ καὶ Λευῒ ὁ δεκάτας λαμβάνων δεδεκάτωται·
10 because Levi was in the body of his ancestor when Melchizedek met Abraham.
10 ἔτι γὰρ ἐν τῇ ὀσφύϊ τοῦ πατρὸς ἦν ὅτε συνήντησεν αὐτῷ ὁ Μελχισεδέκ.
11 Now if perfection were possible through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the manner of Melchizedek, and not be considered to be after the manner of Aaron?
11 Εἰ μὲν οὖν τελείωσις διὰ τῆς Λευϊτικῆς ἱερωσύνης ἦν· ὁ λαὸς γὰρ ἐπ᾽ αὐτῇ νενομοθέτητο· τίς ἔτι χρεία κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδὲκ ἕτερον ἀνίστασθαι ἱερέα καὶ οὐ κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Ἀαρὼν λέγεσθαι;
12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed.
12 μετατιθεμένης γὰρ τῆς ἱερωσύνης ἐξ ἀνάγκης καὶ νόμου μετάθεσις γίνεται.
13 For the one about whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
13 ἐφ᾽ ὃν γὰρ λέγεται ταῦτα, φυλῆς ἑτέρας μετέσχηκεν, ἀφ᾽ ἧς οὐδεὶς προσέσχηκε τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ.
14 Now clearly, it is from Judah that our Lord was born, a tribe that Moses never mentioned concerning priests.
14 πρόδηλον γὰρ ὅτι ἐξ Ἰούδα ἀνατέταλκεν ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν, εἰς ἣν φυλὴν οὐδὲν περὶ ἱερωσύνης Μωϋσῆς ἐλάλησε.
15 What we say is clearer yet if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek.
15 Καὶ περισσότερον ἔτι κατάδηλόν ἐστιν, εἰ κατὰ τὴν ὁμοιότητα Μελχισεδὲκ ἀνίσταται ἱερεὺς ἕτερος,
16 It was not based on the law of fleshly descent that he became a priest, but instead was based on the power of an everlasting life.
16 ὃς οὐ κατὰ νόμον ἐντολῆς σαρκικῆς γέγονεν, ἀλλὰ κατὰ δύναμιν ζωῆς ἀκαταλύτου·
17 For scripture witnesses about him: “You are a priest forever after the manner of Melchizedek.”
17 μαρτυρεῖ γὰρ ὅτι σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ.
18 For the former regulation is set aside because it is weak and useless,
18 ἀθέτησις μὲν γὰρ γίνεται προαγούσης ἐντολῆς διὰ τὸ αὐτῆς ἀσθενὲς καὶ ἀνωφελές·
19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, through which we come near to God.
19 οὐδὲν γὰρ ἐτελείωσεν ὁ νόμος, ἐπεισαγωγὴ δὲ κρείττονος ἐλπίδος, δι᾽ ἧς ἐγγίζομεν τῷ Θεῷ.
20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath,
20 καὶ καθ᾽ ὅσον οὐ χωρὶς ὁρκωμοσίας· — οἱ μὲν γὰρ χωρὶς ὁρκωμοσίας εἰσὶν ἱερεῖς γεγονότες,
21 but he became a priest when God said to him, “The Lord has sworn and he will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever.'”
21 ὁ δὲ μετὰ ὁρκωμοσίας διὰ τοῦ λέγοντος πρὸς αὐτόν· ὤμοσε Κύριος, καὶ οὐ μεταμεληθήσεται· σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ· —
22 By this also Jesus has given the guarantee of a better covenant.
22 κατὰ τοσοῦτον κρείττονος διαθήκης γέγονεν ἔγγυος Ἰησοῦς.
23 The former priests were many in number, since death prevented them from continuing in office.
23 Καὶ οἱ μὲν πλείονές εἰσι γεγονότες ἱερεῖς διὰ τὸ θανάτῳ κωλύεσθαι παραμένειν·
24 But because Jesus continues to live forever, he has a permanent priesthood.
24 ὁ δὲ διὰ τὸ μένειν αὐτὸν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ἀπαράβατον ἔχει τὴν ἱερωσύνην·
25 Therefore he is also able to save completely those who approach God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
25 ὅθεν καὶ σῴζειν εἰς τὸ παντελὲς δύναται τοὺς προσερχομένους δι᾽ αὐτοῦ τῷ Θεῷ, πάντοτε ζῶν εἰς τὸ ἐντυγχάνειν ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν.
26 For such a high priest is suitable for us. He is sinless, blameless, pure, separated from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens.
26 Τοιοῦτος γὰρ ἡμῖν ἔπρεπεν ἀρχιερεύς, ὅσιος, ἄκακος, ἀμίαντος, κεχωρισμένος ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν καὶ ὑψηλότερος τῶν οὐρανῶν γενόμενος,
27 He does not need, unlike the high priests, to offer up daily sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He did this once for all, when he offered himself.
27 ὃς οὐκ ἔχει καθ᾽ ἡμέραν ἀνάγκην, ὥσπερ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς, πρότερον ὑπὲρ τῶν ἰδίων ἁμαρτιῶν θυσίας ἀναφέρειν, ἔπειτα τῶν τοῦ λαοῦ· τοῦτο γὰρ ἐποίησεν ἐφάπαξ ἑαυτὸν ἀνενέγκας.
28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weaknesses. But the word of the oath, which came after the law, appointed a Son, who has been made perfect forever.
28 ὁ νόμος γὰρ ἀνθρώπους καθίστησιν ἀρχιερεῖς ἔχοντας ἀσθένειαν, ὁ λόγος δὲ τῆς ὁρκωμοσίας τῆς μετὰ τὸν νόμον υἱὸν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τετελειωμένον.
Cross references (28)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Genesis 14:18–20; Psalm 57:2; Hebrews 6:20; Micah 6:6; Daniel 5:18
- 2 Numbers 18:21; 1 Samuel 8:15; 1 Samuel 8:17; 2 Samuel 23:3; Psalm 85:10–11
- 3 Hebrews 7:17; Exodus 6:20–27; Hebrews 7:23–28; Hebrews 7:6; Matthew 4:3
- 4 Genesis 14:20; Acts 2:29; Genesis 17:5–6; Genesis 12:2; Acts 7:8–9
- 5 Leviticus 27:30–33; 2 Chronicles 31:4–6; Numbers 16:10–11; Numbers 18:21–32; Numbers 17:3–10
- 6 Romans 4:13; Hebrews 7:3–4; Genesis 13:14–17; Genesis 17:4–8; Hebrews 11:17
- 7 2 Chronicles 30:27; Genesis 48:15–20; Genesis 27:20–40; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Kings 8:55
- 8 Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 5:6; Revelation 1:18; Hebrews 7:23; John 14:19
- 9 Romans 5:12; Genesis 14:20; Hebrews 7:4
- 10 Hebrews 7:5; Genesis 46:26; Genesis 35:11
- 11 Hebrews 8:7; Galatians 2:21; Galatians 4:9; Hebrews 7:17–19; Hebrews 8:10–13
- 12 Jeremiah 31:31–34; Isaiah 66:21; Acts 6:13–14; Ezekiel 16:61
- 13 Hebrews 7:11; Hebrews 7:14; Numbers 17:5; 2 Chronicles 26:16–21; Numbers 16:40
- 14 Micah 5:2; Isaiah 11:1; Revelation 5:5; Luke 3:33; Genesis 49:10
- 15 Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:17–21; Hebrews 7:3; Hebrews 7:11
- 16 Revelation 1:18; Galatians 4:9; Galatians 4:3; Colossians 2:20; Hebrews 10:1
- 17 Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 7:15; Hebrews 7:21; Hebrews 5:10
- 18 Romans 8:3; Acts 13:39; Hebrews 7:11–12; Galatians 4:9; Hebrews 8:7–13
- 19 Acts 13:39; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 9:9; Romans 8:3; Hebrews 6:18
- 20 Numbers 18:7; Hebrews 5:6; Psalm 110:4
- 21 Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:17; Hebrews 6:16–18; 1 Samuel 15:29
- 22 1 Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 8:6–12; Hebrews 13:20; Luke 22:20; Hebrews 12:24
- 23 Nehemiah 12:10–11; Hebrews 7:8; 1 Chronicles 6:3–14
- 24 John 12:34; Hebrews 7:28; Isaiah 9:6–7; Revelation 1:18; Hebrews 7:8–25
- 25 Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1–2; 1 Timothy 2:5; Jude 24; John 14:6
- 26 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; Hebrews 4:14–15; 1 John 2:2; Hebrews 8:1
- 27 Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 9:28; Hebrews 9:14; Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 10:6–12
- 28 Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 1:2; Hebrews 7:21; Hebrews 5:1–2; Luke 13:32
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
Paul wishing to show the difference between the New and Old [Covenant], scatters it everywhere; and shoots from afar, and noises it abroad, and prepares beforehand. For at once even from the introduction, he laid down this saying, that "to them indeed He spake by prophets, but to us by the Son" ( c. i.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 14 (1889)
… elegantly expresses the very kind of sacrifice of which the Priest Himself says, "The bread which I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." The same is the sacrifice not after the order of Aaron, but after the order of Melchisedec: let him that readeth understand.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)
… but before all ages by the Father; and He so far excels the others as with an oath He is made Priest: For they are priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him that said, The Lord sware, and will not repent.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)
Ninthly, they allege, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for us. O, how beautiful and mystical and kind.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)
To the priests it is said, "First offer sacrifices for your own sins, and so for the people." The sacrifices convicted the priests that if any one should call himself righteous and without sin, it might be answered him, "I look not at what thou sayest, but at what thou offerest; thine own victim convicteth thee.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 6 (1888)