Heb 7:11-28 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Heb 7:11-28: 7:11-28 Having argued for Melchizedek’s superiority to the Levites (7:1-10 ), the author now argues that Jesus, our high priest like Melchizedek, is also superior to the Levitical priests of the old covenant. 7:11 Perfection in Hebrews does not mean flawless, but reaching a desired goal (see study note on 5:9). The priesthood under the old covenant could not achieve all that God intended for a covenant relationship with his people. That is why God needed to establish a different priesthood .

Summary for Heb 7:11-28: 7:11-28 ^a Having argued for Melchizedek’s superiority to the Levites (7:1-10 ^b), the author now argues that Jesus, our high priest like Melchizedek, is also superior to the Levitical priests of the old covenant. 7:11 ^c Perfection in Hebrews does not mean flawless, but reaching a desired goal (see study note on 5:9). The priesthood under the old covenant could not achieve all that God intended for a covenant relationship with his people. That is why God needed to establish a different priesthood.
7:12 ^d According to the law given to Moses, the appointed priests were descendants of Aaron (Exod 28:41-43 ^e; 29:9 ^f). The priesthood is changed because Jesus is now the High Priest. Thus, God himself had changed the law concerning priests.
Summary for Heb 7:13-14: 7:13-14 ^g Jesus belongs to a different tribe: Under the old covenant, priests came from the tribe of Levi, whereas Jesus was from the tribe of Judah.
Summary for Heb 7:15-17: 7:15-17 ^h This change of how God appoints priests (7:11-14 ⁱ) has been made very clear by the appointment of Jesus as a different priest. He, like Melchizedek, is a priest forever: Jesus’ resurrection from the dead shows that he has the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. Because his priesthood in the order of Melchizedek is superior to that of the Levites (7:1-10 ^j), he supersedes them as priest.
7:18 ^k The old requirement about the priesthood was membership in the family of Aaron (see Exod 28:41-43 ^l).

• set aside: See Heb 7:15-17 ^m.

• because it was weak and useless: As explained in the verses that follow (7:19-28 ⁿ).
Summary for Heb 7:19-28: 7:19-28 ^o The weakness of the priesthood under the old covenant is highlighted in that those priests died (thus discontinuing their office) and were themselves sinful. In contrast, Jesus, the new High Priest, never sinned and conquered death, making him a more effective and permanent High Priest. 7:19 ^p the law never made anything perfect: The law never accomplished what God planned to accomplish through the superior high priesthood of Jesus—namely, completely removing sin and guaranteeing eternal salvation. This gives believers confidence in a better hope in relationship with God. We can draw near to God without fearing condemnation.
Summary for Heb 7:20-21: 7:20-21 ^q This new system refers to God’s way of appointing a priest.

• God’s solemn oath is expressed in the quote from Ps 110:4 ^r.
7:22 ^s Legally, the one who guarantees (literally the guarantee or the guarantor) refers to the person who bears the risk of another person’s investment or debt. Because of God’s oath, Jesus’ priesthood is unassailable, so our covenant relationship with God is secure. Having Jesus as the guarantor makes the new covenant better.
Summary for Heb 7:23-24: 7:23-24 ^t Of necessity, the old covenant had a succession of many priests because each of them died. In contrast, Jesus’ priesthood lasts forever (literally is permanent): This term refers to something that cannot be changed, such as the sun’s daily trek through the sky or the constant turning of the seasons.
7:25 ^u able, once and forever, to save: Since Jesus lives forever, the salvation he brings also lasts forever. To draw near to an eternal God, we need an eternal priest.

• Jesus will intercede or appeal to God for us as our High Priest of the new covenant, and his intercession is never-ending (see 9:11-28 ^v; 10:21-22 ^w; Rom 8:31-34 ^x).
Summary for Heb 7:26-27: 7:26-27 ^y Jesus is unstained by sin and set apart from sinners (cp. 4:15 ^z), which makes him superior to the priests of the old covenant, who had to deal with their own sins as well as those of the people (see also 5:1-3 ^aa).

• has been given the highest place of honor in heaven: This is an affirmation of his uniqueness as High Priest (cp. 2:9 ^ab; 5:9 ^ac; Phil 2:5-11 ^ad).

• once for all: This does not mean once for all people but rather once, never to be repeated.
7:28 ^ae This verse echoes 5:1-3 ^af and sums up the entire discussion of Christ’s appointment as High Priest (5:1-10 ^ag; 7:1-28 ^ah).

• Limited by human weakness refers primarily to human sinfulness and mortality (5:2-3 ^ai; 7:18 ^aj, 23-27 ^ak).

• God appointed his Son with an oath: See Ps 110:4 ^al, the key Old Testament passage behind Heb 7:11-28 ^am.

• perfect ... forever: The words High Priest are not in the Greek text but are implied in the context.

• In Hebrews, the term perfect means complete or mature (see 2:10 ^an; 5:9 ^ao; 7:11 ^ap; 9:9-11 ^aq); the Son, through his sacrificial death and resurrection, has become completely qualified to serve as our eternal High Priest, and his priesthood lasts forever.