What does Hebrews 7:21 mean?

(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) Hebrews 7:21

Explanation

Hebrews 7:21 speaks to the unique and eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ as compared to the Levitical priests of the Old Testament. The Levitical priests became priests without an oath; their position was based on their birth into the tribe of Levi. In contrast, Jesus’ priesthood was established by God’s oath and is eternal. The verse references Psalm 110:4, where God declares an unchangeable promise to Christ, designating Him as a priest forever, following the order of Melchizedek, a figure who symbolizes an eternal and righteous priesthood that goes beyond the Levitical system.

Historical Context

Hebrews is an epistle in the New Testament that was written to Jewish Christians who understood the Old Testament priesthood. The historical context is a time when the early church was grappling with the relationship between the Old Covenant, instituted by Moses, and the New Covenant, instituted by Jesus Christ. The comparison between the Levitical priesthood and the priesthood of Jesus is an essential element of this theological discussion.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, the enduring priesthood of Jesus indicates a perfect and complete priesthood, which contrasts with the temporary and imperfect Levitical priesthood. The divine oath highlights the superiority of Jesus’ priesthood, serving as a guarantee of a better covenant. Calvinist and Reformed theologians emphasize the finality and sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. Roman Catholic and Orthodox theologians often see this as substantiating the continuity of the priestly function in the church, with Christ as the eternal high priest.

Practical Applications

In daily life, Hebrews 7:21 encourages believers to trust in the permanence and perfection of Christ’s intercession for them. Unlike the temporary rituals of the Old Testament priests, the priesthood of Jesus provides believers with a lasting assurance of salvation and direct access to God. This can foster a relationship with God that is rooted in the final and complete work of Christ.

Cross-References

• Psalm 110:4 – “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
• Hebrews 5:6 – “As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”
• Hebrews 6:17-20 – Discusses the promise made by God to Abraham and relates it to the hope set before us in Jesus.

Language Study

In the original Greek, key words are significant:

• “Oath” (ὅρκω – horkō): A solemn promise involving invoking a divine witness.
• “Repent” (μεταμέλομαι – metamélomai): To change one’s mind or regret, which, in this context, indicates the immutability of God’s promise.
• “Priest” (ἱερεύς – hiereus): Refers to one who is designated to act on behalf of others in religious duties.
• “Forever” (εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα – eis ton aiōna): An indefinite and unending duration of time.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of a divine oath can be found in other religious systems and ancient myths, where gods often swear by their names or by other deities to establish a covenant or promise. The figure of Melchizedek is unique to the Hebrew tradition, appearing as a king and priest in Genesis 14; however, his eternal priesthood has parallels to figures with a timeless or preeminent role found in various mythologies.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific methodology does not directly intersect with theological claims about an eternal priesthood; such concepts are outside the empirical scope of science. However, historical and literary analysis of ancient texts, such as the Bible, can be informed by archaeological findings and linguistic studies which provide insight into cultural understandings during different historical periods.

Commentaries

Commentators offer diverse thoughts on Hebrews 7:21:

• Matthew Henry views it as an assertion of the dignity and perpetuity of Christ’s priesthood over the Aaronic priesthood.
• John Gill interprets the divine oath as evidence of the unchangeable nature of Christ’s priesthood.
• F.F. Bruce focuses on the fulfillment of the Old Testament priesthood in Christ, and the transformative nature of this priesthood in the unfolding narrative of salvation.
• The New International Commentary on the New Testament speaks to the theological theme of Jesus as the guarantor of a better covenant, noting that the oath signifies God’s commitment to the new priestly order in Christ.