What does Hebrews 7:26 mean?

For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Hebrews 7:26

Explanation

Hebrews 7:26 describes the attributes of Jesus as the high priest according to Christian faith. In this verse, the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews elucidates that Jesus is an ideal high priest who is holy (morally perfect and set apart for a sacred purpose), harmless (free from malice or intent to harm), undefiled (pure, not polluted by sin), separate from sinners (distinct from those who do wrong), and made higher than the heavens (exalted above all, including the celestial realm). This depiction of Jesus is intended to contrast with the human high priests who served in the Levitical priesthood of the Old Testament, who were subject to weakness and sin.

Historical Context

The Epistle to the Hebrews was written to a community of Jewish Christians who were familiar with Jewish laws and customs, specifically the Levitical priesthood and its role in mediating between God and the Israelites. In the time of the early Christian church, there was a need to explain how Christ fulfilled and superseded the Jewish sacrificial system. The historical context is either just before or just following the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE, when the traditional sacrificial system of the Jews had been disrupted or entirely ceased.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives might interpret this verse in various ways:

• Christological Interpretation: This verse provides a Christological foundation which argues that Jesus Christ is the perfect mediator between God and humanity. It emphasizes the superiority of Christ over the old covenant’s human priests.

• Reformation Perspective: Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin would see in this verse the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers, where Christ’s perfect priesthood makes any human intermediary unnecessary.

• Catholic and Orthodox Perspective: These traditions may focus on the role of Christ as the eternal high priest who sanctifies the priesthood within the Church, which they view as a continuation of his ministry.

• Dispensational Perspective: Dispensationalists believe this verse emphasizes the differences between the different economies of God’s dealings with humanity – specifically the distinction between the Church age and the dispensation of the Law.

Practical Applications

This verse offers several applications for daily life:

• Spiritual Aspiration: Believers are encouraged to aspire to the attributes of Christ – holiness, harmlessness, purity, and separation from sin.

• Confidence in Prayer: As Christ is depicted as a high priest who is untainted by sin and fully exalted, Christians can approach prayer with confidence that their mediator is fully capable and sympathetic.

• Moral Compass: For ethical behavior, this verse provides a high standard by which to measure one’s actions, particularly in terms of harmlessness and undefilement.

Cross-References

• 1 Peter 2:22: “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:”

• 2 Corinthians 5:21: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

• Psalm 110:4: “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”

• Isaiah 53:9: “And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.”

Language Study

• High Priest (Greek: archiereus): The word combines “archi-” (meaning chief or principal) with “hiereus” (priest), denoting the highest religious leader.

• Holy (Greek: hosios): It implies a state of being holy or pious, with a focus on ethical purity.

• Harmless (Greek: akakos): This means innocent or without malice.

• Undefiled (Greek: amiantos): Indicates something that is untainted, pure, and unstained by sin or guilt.

• Separate (Greek: kechorismenos): Means set apart or separated.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In Greco-Roman mythology and other religious systems, deities often display human flaws and are involved in immoral actions. In contrast, the high priest described in Hebrews 7:26 is entirely devoid of such ethical imperfections, which reinforces the monotheistic principle of God’s holiness in Judeo-Christian belief.

Scientific Perspectives

This verse is primarily theological and does not include specific references to scientific ideas. However, the concept of being “higher than the heavens” might be poetically aligned with the vastness and grandeur of the universe as understood in modern cosmology, suggesting a transcendence beyond physical creation.

Commentaries

• Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: Henry sees this verse as a testament to Christ’s infinite superiority over the Levitical priests, highlighting His purity, sinlessness, and exalted status.

• John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible: Gill points out that Christ’s priesthood is untransferable and eternal, unlike the Levitical priesthood which was temporal and transmitted through generations.

• Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: Barnes elaborates on the qualifications of Christ’s priesthood as laid out in this verse, namely, His sinlessness and separation from sinners, which made Him a fitting representative before God for humanity.