Hebrews Chapter 7

4 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some should enter thereinto, and they to whom the good tidings were before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience,

5 he again defineth a certain day, To-day, saying in David so long a time afterward (even as hath been said before),

6 To-day if ye shall hear his voice,

7 Harden not your hearts.

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day.

9 There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God.

10 For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his.

11 Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience.

12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13 And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

14 Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

15 For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as

16 we are, yet without sin.

17 Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help

18 us in time of need.

19 For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

20 who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity;

21 and by reason thereof is bound, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

22 And no man taketh the honor unto himself, but when he is called of God, even as was Aaron.

23 So Christ also glorified not himself to be made a high priest, but he that spake unto him,

24 Thou art my Son,

25 This day have I begotten thee:

26 as he saith also in another

27 place,

28 Thou art a priest for ever

darby (darby) - eBible.org Darby 1890 plaintext

1 For this Melchisedec, King of Salem, priest of the most highGod, who met Abraham returning from smiting the kings, and blessed him;

2 to whom Abraham gave also the tenth portion of all; first being interpreted King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is King of peace;

3 without father, without mother, without genealogy; having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but assimilated to the Son ofGod, abides a priest continually.

4 Now consider how great this [personage] was, to whom [even] the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth out of the spoils.

5 And they indeed from among the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is from their brethren, though these are come out of the loins of Abraham:

6 but he who has no genealogy from them has tithed Abraham, and blessed him who had the promises.

7 But beyond all gainsaying, the inferior is blessed by the better.

8 And here dying men receive tithes; but there [one] of whom the witness is that he lives;

9 and, so to speak, through Abraham, Levi also, who received tithes, has been made to pay tithes.

10 For he was yet in the loins of his father when Melchisedec met him.

11 If indeed then perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, for the people had their law given to them in connexion with it, what need [was there] still that a different priest should arise according to the order of Melchisedec, and not be named after the order of Aaron?

12 For, the priesthood being changed, there takes place of necessity a change of law also.

13 For he, of whom these things are said, belongs to a different tribe, of which no one has [ever] been attached to the service of the altar.

14 For it is clear that our Lord has sprung out of Juda, as to which tribe Moses spake nothing as to priests.

15 And it is yet more abundantly evident, since a different priest arises according to the similitude of Melchisedec,

16 who has been constituted not according to law of fleshly commandment, but according to power of indissoluble life.

17 For it is borne witness, Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedec.

18 For there is a setting aside of the commandment going before for its weakness and unprofitableness,

19 (for the law perfected nothing,) and the introduction of a better hope by which we draw nigh toGod.

20 And by how much [it was] not without the swearing of an oath;

21 (for they are become priests without the swearing of an oath, but he with the swearing of an oath, by him who said, as to him, The Lord has sworn, and will not repent [of it], Thou [art] priest for ever [according to the order of Melchisedec];)

22 by so much Jesus became surety of a better covenant.

23 And they have been many priests, on account of being hindered from continuing by death;

24 but he, because of his continuing for ever, has the priesthood unchangeable.

25 Whence also he is able to save completely those who approach by him toGod, always living to intercede for them.

26 For such a high priest became us, holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and become higher than the heavens:

27 who has not day by day need, as the high priests, first to offer up sacrifices for his own sins, then [for] those of the people; for this he did once for all [in] having offered up himself.

28 For the law constitutes men high priests, having infirmity; but the word of the swearing of the oath which [is] after the law, a Son perfected for ever.

vul1914 (vul1914) - Vulgate 1914 UTF-8 (sacredbible.org)

1 Hic enim Melchisedech, rex Salem, sacerdos Dei summi, qui obviavit Abrahæ regresso a cæde regum, et benedixit ei:

2 cui et decimas omnium divisit Abraham: primum quidem qui interpretatur rex iustitiæ: deinde autem et rex Salem, quod est, rex pacis,

3 sine patre, sine matre, sine genealogia, neque initium dierum, neque finem vitæ habens, assimilatus autem Filio Dei, manet sacerdos in perpetuum.

4 Intuemini autem quantus sit hic, cui et decimas dedit de præcipuis Abraham patriarcha.

5 Et quidem de filiis Levi sacerdotium accipientes, mandatum habent decimas sumere a populo secundum legem, id est, a fratribus suis: quamquam et ipsi exierint de lumbis Abrahæ.

6 Cuius autem generatio non annumeratur in eis, decimas sumpsit ab Abraham, et hunc, qui habebat repromissiones, benedixit.

7 Sine ulla autem contradictione, quod minus est, a meliore benedicitur.

8 Et hic quidem, decimas morientes homines accipiunt: ibi autem contestatur, quia vivit.

9 Et (ut ita dictum sit) per Abraham, et Levi, qui decimas accepit, decimatus est:

10 adhuc enim in lumbis patris erat, quando obviavit ei Melchisedech.

11 Si ergo consummatio per sacerdotium Leviticum erat (populus enim sub ipso legem accepit) quid adhuc necessarium fuit secundum ordinem Melchisedech, alium surgere sacerdotem, et non secundum ordinem Aaron dici?

12 Translato enim sacerdotio, necesse erat ut et legis translatio fiat.

13 In quo enim hæc dicuntur, de alia tribu est, de qua nullus altari præsto fuit.

14 Manifestum est enim quod ex Iuda ortus sit Dominus noster: in qua tribu nihil de sacerdotibus Moyses locutus est.

15 Et amplius adhuc manifestum est: si secundum similitudinem Melchisedech exurgat alius sacerdos,

16 qui non secundum legem mandati carnalis factus est, sed secundum virtutem vitæ insolubilis.

17 Contestatur enim: Quoniam tu es sacerdos in æternum, secundum ordinem Melchisedech.

18 Reprobatio quidem fit præcedentis mandati, propter infirmitatem eius, et inutilitatem:

19 nihil enim ad perfectum adduxit lex: introductio vero melioris spei, per quam proximamus ad Deum.

20 Et quantum est non sine iureiurando (alii quidem sine iureiurando sacerdotes facti sunt,

21 hic autem cum iureiurando per eum, qui dixit ad illum: Iuravit Dominus, et non pœnitebit eum: tu es sacerdos in æternum):

22 in tantum melioris testamenti sponsor factus est Iesus.

23 Et alii quidem plures facti sunt sacerdotes, idcirco quod morte prohiberentur permanere:

24 hic autem eo quod maneat in æternum, sempiternum habet sacerdotium.

25 Unde et salvare in perpetuum potest accedentes per semetipsum ad Deum: semper vivens ad interpellandum pro nobis.

26 Talis enim decebat ut nobis esset pontifex, sanctus, innocens, impollutus, segregatus a peccatoribus, et excelsior cælis factus:

27 qui non habet necessitatem quotidie, quemadmodum sacerdotes, prius pro suis delictis hostias offerre, deinde pro populi: hoc enim fecit semel, seipsum offerendo.

28 Lex enim homines constituit sacerdotes infirmitatem habentes: sermo autem iurisiurandi, qui post legem est, Filium in æternum perfectum.

web (web) - WorldEnglish.Bible — CC0 modern update of ASV

1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

2 to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, “king of righteousness”, and then also “king of Salem”, which means “king of peace”,

3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God), remains a priest continually.

4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth out of the best plunder.

5 They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham,

6 but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises.

7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.

8 Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives.

9 We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,

10 for he was yet in the body of his father when Melchizedek met him.

11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

12 For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law.

13 For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.

14 For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

15 This is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest,

16 who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after the power of an endless life;

17 for it is testified, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

18 For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and uselessness

19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

20 Inasmuch as he was not made priest without the taking of an oath

21 (for they indeed have been made priests without an oath), but he with an oath by him that says of him, “The Lord swore and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’”

22 By so much, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

23 Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death.

24 But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable.

25 Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.

26 For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

27 who doesn’t need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices daily, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself.

28 For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son forever who has been perfected.

wh1881 (wh1881) - Westcott-Hort Greek NT 1881 eBible USFM

1 ουτος γαρ ο μελχισεδεκ βασιλευς σαλημ ιερευς του θεου του υψιστου ο συναντησας αβρααμ υποστρεφοντι απο της κοπης των βασιλεων και ευλογησας αυτον

2 ω και δεκατην απο παντων εμερισεν αβρααμ πρωτον μεν ερμηνευομενος βασιλευς δικαιοσυνης επειτα δε και βασιλευς σαλημ ο εστιν βασιλευς ειρηνης

3 απατωρ αμητωρ αγενεαλογητος μητε αρχην ημερων μητε ζωης τελος εχων αφωμοιωμενος δε τω υιω του θεου μενει ιερευς εις το διηνεκες

4 θεωρειτε δε πηλικος ουτος ω δεκατην αβρααμ εδωκεν εκ των ακροθινιων ο πατριαρχης

5 και οι μεν εκ των υιων λευι την ιερατειαν λαμβανοντες εντολην εχουσιν αποδεκατοιν τον λαον κατα τον νομον τουτ εστιν τους αδελφους αυτων καιπερ εξεληλυθοτας εκ της οσφυος αβρααμ

6 ο δε μη γενεαλογουμενος εξ αυτων δεδεκατωκεν αβρααμ και τον εχοντα τας επαγγελιας ευλογηκεν

7 χωρις δε πασης αντιλογιας το ελαττον υπο του κρειττονος ευλογειται

8 και ωδε μεν δεκατας αποθνησκοντες ανθρωποι λαμβανουσιν εκει δε μαρτυρουμενος οτι ζη

9 και ως επος ειπειν δι αβρααμ και λευις ο δεκατας λαμβανων δεδεκατωται

10 ετι γαρ εν τη οσφυι του πατρος ην οτε συνηντησεν αυτω μελχισεδεκ

11 ει μεν ουν τελειωσις δια της λευιτικης ιερωσυνης ην ο λαος γαρ επ αυτης νενομοθετηται τις ετι χρεια κατα την ταξιν μελχισεδεκ ετερον ανιστασθαι ιερεα και ου κατα την ταξιν ααρων λεγεσθαι

12 μετατιθεμενης γαρ της ιερωσυνης εξ αναγκης και νομου μεταθεσις γινεται

13 εφ ον γαρ λεγεται ταυτα φυλης ετερας μετεσχηκεν αφ ης ουδεις προσεσχηκεν τω θυσιαστηριω

14 προδηλον γαρ οτι εξ ιουδα ανατεταλκεν ο κυριος ημων εις ην φυλην περι ιερεων ουδεν μωυσης ελαλησεν

15 και περισσοτερον ετι καταδηλον εστιν ει κατα την ομοιοτητα μελχισεδεκ ανισταται ιερευς ετερος

16 ος ου κατα νομον εντολης σαρκινης γεγονεν αλλα κατα δυναμιν ζωης ακαταλυτου

17 μαρτυρειται γαρ οτι συ ιερευς εις τον αιωνα κατα την ταξιν μελχισεδεκ

18 αθετησις μεν γαρ γινεται προαγουσης εντολης δια το αυτης ασθενες και ανωφελες

19 ουδεν γαρ ετελειωσεν ο νομος επεισαγωγη δε κρειττονος ελπιδος δι ης εγγιζομεν τω θεω

20 και καθ οσον ου χωρις ορκωμοσιας οι μεν γαρ χωρις ορκωμοσιας εισιν ιερεις γεγονοτες

21 ο δε μετα ορκωμοσιας δια του λεγοντος προς αυτον ωμοσεν κυριος και ου μεταμεληθησεται συ ιερευς εις τον αιωνα

22 κατα τοσουτο και κρειττονος διαθηκης γεγονεν εγγυος ιησους

23 και οι μεν πλειονες εισιν γεγονοτες ιερεις δια το θανατω κωλυεσθαι παραμενειν

24 ο δε δια το μενειν αυτον εις τον αιωνα απαραβατον εχει την ιερωσυνην

25 οθεν και σωζειν εις το παντελες δυναται τους προσερχομενους δι αυτου τω θεω παντοτε ζων εις το εντυγχανειν υπερ αυτων

26 τοιουτος γαρ ημιν [και] επρεπεν αρχιερευς οσιος ακακος αμιαντος κεχωρισμενος απο των αμαρτωλων και υψηλοτερος των ουρανων γενομενος

27 ος ουκ εχει καθ ημεραν αναγκην ωσπερ οι αρχιερεις προτερον υπερ των ιδιων αμαρτιων θυσιας αναφερειν επειτα των του λαου τουτο γαρ εποιησεν εφαπαξ εαυτον ανενεγκας

28 ο νομος γαρ ανθρωπους καθιστησιν αρχιερεις εχοντας ασθενειαν ο λογος δε της ορκωμοσιας της μετα τον νομον υιον εις τον αιωνα τετελειωμενον

ylt (ylt) - Bible.com YLT98 plain UTF-8

1 For this Melchisedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who did meet Abraham turning back from the smiting of the kings, and did bless him,

2 to whom also a tenth of all did Abraham divide, (first, indeed, being interpreted, `King of righteousness,' and then also, King of Salem, which is, King of Peace,)

3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, and being made like to the Son of God, doth remain a priest continually.

4 And see how great this one <FI>is<Fi> , to whom also a tenth Abraham the patriarch did give out of the best of the spoils,

5 and those, indeed, out of the sons of Levi receiving the priesthood, a command have to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, their brethren, even though they came forth out of the loins of Abraham;

6 and he who was not reckoned by genealogy of them, received tithes from Abraham, and him having the promises he hath blessed,

7 and apart from all controversy, the less by the better is blessed--

8 and here, indeed, men who die do receive tithes, and there <FI>he<Fi> , who is testified to that he was living,

9 and so to speak, through Abraham even Levi who is receiving tithes, hath paid tithes,

10 for he was yet in the loins of the father when Melchisedek met him.

11 If indeed, then, perfection were through the Levitical priesthood--for the people under it had received law--what further need, according to the order of Melchisedek, for another priest to arise, and not to be called according to the order of Aaron?

12 for the priesthood being changed, of necessity also, of the law a change doth come,

13 for he of whom these things are said in another tribe hath had part, of whom no one gave attendance at the altar,

14 for <FI>it is<Fi> evident that out of Judah hath arisen our Lord, in regard to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

15 And it is yet more abundantly most evident, if according to the similitude of Melchisedek there doth arise another priest,

16 who came not according to the law of a fleshly command, but according to the power of an endless life,

17 for He doth testify--`Thou <FI>art<Fi> a priest--to the age, according to the order of Melchisedek;'

18 for a disannulling indeed doth come of the command going before because of its weakness, and unprofitableness,

19 (for nothing did the law perfect) and the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw nigh to God.

20 And inasmuch as <FI>it is<Fi> not apart from oath, (for those indeed apart from oath are become priests,

21 and he with an oath through Him who is saying unto him, `The Lord sware, and will not repent, Thou <FI>art<Fi> a priest--to the age, according to the order of Melchisedek;')

22 by so much of a better covenant hath Jesus become surety,

23 and those indeed are many who have become priests, because by death they are hindered from remaining;

24 and he, because of his remaining--to the age, hath the priesthood not transient,

25 whence also he is able to save to the very end, those coming through him unto God--ever living to make intercession for them.

26 For such a chief priest did become us--kind, harmless, undefiled, separate from the sinners, and become higher than the heavens,

27 who hath no necessity daily, as the chief priests, first for his own sins to offer up sacrifice, then for those of the people; for this he did once, having offered up himself;

28 for the law doth appoint men chief priests, having infirmity, but the word of the oath that <FI>is<Fi> after the law <FI>appointeth<Fi> the Son--to the age having been perfected.

Explanations by Age Level

Explain Like I'm 5

A long, long time ago, there was nothing at all - no earth, no sky, no animals, no people. It was all dark and empty. But God was there! God is so powerful that He can make anything just by speaking. So God said "Let there be light!" and BOOM! There was light everywhere! God saw that the light was beautiful and good. He called the light "day" and the darkness "night." This was the very first day when God started making our wonderful world!

Explain Like I'm 10

Before anything existed - no planets, stars, or life - God decided to create the universe. The earth started out as a dark, empty place covered with water. But God's Spirit was there, ready to bring order and beauty to everything. When God spoke and said "Let there be light," light immediately appeared because God's words have incredible power. God looked at the light and was pleased with what He had made. He organized time by separating light (day) from darkness (night), creating the first 24-hour period. This shows us that God is organized and purposeful in everything He does.

Explain Like I'm 15

Genesis 1:1-5 establishes fundamental theological truths about God and creation. The Hebrew word "bara" (created) indicates creation from nothing (ex nihilo), demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and power. The phrase "without form and void" (tohu wa-bohu) describes a state of chaos that God transforms into order. The Spirit of God "hovering" or "brooding" over the waters suggests active, caring involvement in creation. The creation of light before the sun (created on day 4) indicates that God Himself is the ultimate source of light and energy. The establishment of day and night creates the framework of time, showing that God operates within orderly patterns while transcending them. This passage refutes both atheistic materialism and pantheism, establishing that God is both transcendent (separate from creation) and immanent (actively involved in it).