Melchizedek and Abraham (Genesis 14:17–24)
1 DBY For this Melchisedec, King of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from smiting the kings, and blessed him; BSB BSB: This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
2 DBY 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; BSB BSB: and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”
3 DBY without father, without mother, without genealogy; having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but assimilated to the Son of God, abides a priest continually. BSB BSB: Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.
4 DBY Now consider how great this personage was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth out of the spoils. BSB BSB: Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.
5 DBY 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: BSB BSB: Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.
6 DBY but he who has no genealogy from them has tithed Abraham, and blessed him who had the promises. BSB BSB: But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
7 DBY But beyond all gainsaying, the inferior is blessed by the better. BSB BSB: And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.
8 DBY And here dying men receive tithes; but there one of whom the witness is that he lives; BSB BSB: In the case of the Levites, mortal men collect the tenth; but in the case of Melchizedek, it is affirmed that he lives on.
9 DBY and, so to speak, through Abraham, Levi also, who received tithes, has been made to pay tithes. BSB BSB: And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham.
10 DBY For he was yet in the loins of his father when Melchisedec met him. BSB BSB: For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.
A Superior Priesthood 11 DBY 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? BSB BSB: Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?
12 DBY For, the priesthood being changed, there takes place of necessity a change of law also. BSB BSB: For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.
13 DBY 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. BSB BSB: He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
15 DBY And it is yet more abundantly evident, since a different priest arises according to the similitude of Melchisedec, BSB BSB: And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
16 DBY who has been constituted not according to law of fleshly commandment, but according to power of indissoluble life. BSB BSB: one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life.
17 DBY For it is borne witness, Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedec. BSB BSB: For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
18 DBY For there is a setting aside of the commandment going before for its weakness and unprofitableness, BSB BSB: So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless
19 DBY (for the law perfected nothing,) and the introduction of a better hope by which we draw nigh to God. BSB BSB: (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
20 DBY And by how much it was not without the swearing of an oath; BSB BSB: And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,
21 DBY (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 ;) BSB BSB: but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’”
22 DBY by so much Jesus became surety of a better covenant. BSB BSB: Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 DBY And they have been many priests, on account of being hindered from continuing by death; BSB BSB: Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.
24 DBY but he, because of his continuing for ever, has the priesthood unchangeable. BSB BSB: But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood.
25 DBY Whence also he is able to save completely those who approach by him to God, always living to intercede for them. BSB BSB: Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
26 DBY For such a high priest became us, holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and become higher than the heavens: BSB BSB: Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
27 DBY 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. BSB BSB: Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.
28 DBY 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. BSB BSB: For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
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