HEBREWS
CHAPTER 7
The Melchizedek Priesthood brings exaltation and administers the gospel—It is received with an oath and covenant—Superiority of the Melchizedek over the Aaronic Priesthood—Salvation comes through the intercession of Christ.
1 FOR this Melchisedec,
king of Salem,
[ Or Jerusalem as we know it today. Abraham came to
the city that was then called Shalem to pay tithes and get his priesthood
ordinances. This encounter between Melchizedek and Abraham was commemorated
by renaming the city in their honor: the name Yeru (derived from Yireh, the
name Abraham gave to the Temple Mount) was combined with Shalem, producing
Yeru-Shalem, meaning the "city of Shalem," or "founded by Shalem." If
shalem means "complete," or "without defect, " Yerushalayim
would mean the "perfect city," or "the city of he who is perfect". ] priest of
the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the
kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
3 Without father,
without mother, [ The body of Eve also comes from the dust of the earth (even if it’s from Adam); it still comes without father or mother. Remember the Melchizedek Priesthood is the same, without father or mother, the same order that Adam and Christ had. JST, Hebrews 7:3 3 "For this Melchizedek was ordained a priest after the order of the Son of God, which order was without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life. And all those who are ordained unto this priesthood are made like unto the Son of God, abiding a priest continually." ] without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the son of God; abideth a priest continually.
[ The Priesthood and its blessings are eternal. This is the purpose for the visit of Abraham to Melchisedec - to get the blessings of the priesthood - sealing powers of generation to generation. ]
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
21 (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:)
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;