Hebrews 7

Hebrews 7:1

FOr this Melchisedec] Gen. 14. 18, &c. The Apostle having before, Chap. 5. 6. & 10. & Chap. 6. 20. affirmed, that Christ was a Priest after the order of Melchisedec, here gives an historicall description of him, that so it might the better apear wherein he was a type of Christ, and by consequence wherein the Priesthood of Christ was better then that of Aarons.

king] Herein Melchisedec was a type of Christ, because he was both a King and Priest.

Salem] See the Notes on Genesis 24:18, &c.

most high God] Psalms 78:56. Daniel 3:26. & Daniel 5:18. That is, in essence and glory above all creatures; so God is often called, in opposition to the false gods of the Heathen.

blessed him] Numbers 6. 23. 1 Chronicles 23:13. Not onely by way of request, but with a solemne and Priestly blessing: and herein he was a type of Christ, in whom it was promised, that all the nations of the earth should be blessed, Genesis 22:18. and who now sitting at the right hand of God, blesseth us with the blessings of this life, and the life to come.

Hebrews 7:2

tenth part] As a signe of homage and thankfulnesse unto God for his victory.

righteousnesse] Herein likewise a type of Christ, the Scepter of whose kingdome is a Scepter of righteousnesse, Chap. 1. 8. and who is the Author of righteousnesse unto us. 1 Corinthians 1:31. and 2 Corinthians 10:17.

peace] Herein a type of Christ, who hath reconciled us unto God. Romans 5:1.

Hebrews 7:3

Without] So described, because neither his father, mother, descent, birth or death are registred; in whose omission he was made a type both of the eternity of Christs person, and of his Priesthood: not that our Saviour Christ was without Father, &c. for these we finde recorded; but because that which was chiefly intended by the description of Milchisedec, doth most absolutely and perfectly agree unto Christ, and that was the eternitie of his person, and of his Priesthood.

without descent] Gr. without pedegree.

made] Or, transformed and turned out of his proper shape and likenesse, that he might be like unto the Sonne of God.

Hebrews 7:4

unto whom] By two circumstances the Apostles gathers the preheminence of Melchisedec above Abraham: first, because Abraham paid tythes unto him, vers. 4, 5. Secondly, because Melchisedec blessed Abraham, vers. 6. 7.

Patriarch] That is, chief of Fathers. Numbers 18:19. Deuteronomy 18:1. Joshua 14:4.

spoils] Or, of the best things: not that Abraham made choice of the best things, and of them gave the tenth part onely; for it is said vers. 2. that he gave a tenth of all; but that he made choice of the best things to pay the tenth part of the whole, as it was afterward ordained. Numbers 18:12.

Hebrews 7:5

they that] Numbers 18:21,and 26.

to take tythes] Or, to tythe.

Hebrews 7:6

descent] Or, pedegree.

blessed] See vers. 1.

promises] Galatians 3:16.

Hebrews 7:8

liveth] Because his death is not recorded.

Hebrews 7:11

If therefore] In as much as God promised to raise up a Priest after another order then that of Aaron, and whose Priesthood should excell that of Aaron, hence is inferred the imperfection and abrogation both of the Legall Priesthood, and of that Covenant which was established or ratified upon it.

perfection] That is, if the Leviticall Priesthood could have justified, sanctified, and so consequently brought unto salvation.

for] This clause is inserted to shew the mutuall relation between the Leviticall Priesthood and the old Covenant.

under it the people received the Law] Or, upon it the Law was ratified unto the people.

Law] Old Covenant.

Hebrews 7:12

changed] Or, translated.

change] Or, translation.

Law] That is, of the old Covenant, which was established or ratified upon it. Vers. 11.

Hebrews 7:14

Juda] Revelation 5:5.

Hebrews 7:16

Who is made] That is, consecrated unto his Priesthood.

after the law] That is, not as those Legall Priests were by outward purification and sanctification, consisting in outward anointings, washings, offerings, and the like; which served onely for the sanctifying of the person from Legall pollutions. See Chap. 9. 13.

power] That is, of God, or the anointing of the Holy Ghost, which was to continue upon him, and to qualifie and enable him to be an everlasting Priest, who should alwayes live to make intercession for us, and to communicate unto us the merit and power of his sacrifice, which he once offered for us unto everlasting life. Romans 6:9. Revelation 1:18.

Hebrews 7:17

Thou art] Psalms 110:4.

Hebrews 7:18

commandment] That is, of the Covenant.

weaknesse] Galatians 4:9. viz. to justifie, sanctifie, and bring unto salvation by reason of the flesh. Romans 8:3. that is, of us men who are not able to fulfill the Law by reason of that corruption, which dwels in our flesh. Acts 15:10. Galatians 3:21.

Hebrews 7:19

law] That is, old Covenant; as vers. 11. 12.

perfect] See vers. 18.

but the bringing in] Or, but it was the bringing in.

bringing] The Greek word signifieth the superinduction, or the bringing in of one thing after another.

better hope] That is, the new Covenant, called a better hope, because it being a Covenant of grace and mercy, worketh in us sure hope and confidence.

did] Or doth make perfect through Christ (upon whose Priesthood it is established) that which was impossible unto the law. See vers. 18.

draw nigh] Ephesians 2:18. & Ephesians 3:12.

Hebrews 7:20

And in as] From the manner of Christs installment unto his everlasting Priesthood, the Apostle proves again his Priesthood to be better then that of Aaron; because this was without, that with an Oath. Vers. 21.

Hebrews 7:21

without an Oath] Or, without swearing of an Oath.

The Lord sware] Psalms 110:4.

Hebrews 7:22

better testament] Chap. 8. 6.

Hebrews 7:23

And they] The same he proves again from the moralitie of the Legall Priests, and the immortalitie of Christ, whenc he concludes, that he hath an unchangeable Priesthood. Vers. 24.

Hebrews 7:24

unchangeable Priesthood] Or, which passeth not from another.

Hebrews 7:25

to the uttermost] Or, evermore. That is, fully, perfectly, or to the end; so that no part of our salvation must be sought, either in our selves, or in any other. The Originall word signifieth all manner of perfection.

come] That is, by a true and lively faith.

intercession] Romans 8:34. 1 John 2:1.

Hebrews 7:26

For such] Here is another prerogative of Christ, and so consequently of his Priesthood; they sinners, but he holy.

higher] Chap. 4. 14.

Hebrews 7:27

those high Priests] Leviticus 9:7. & Leviticus 16:6. Hebrews 5:3.

once] Chap. 10. 10. That is, once for all; fully, perfectly. See 1 Peter 3:18.

Hebrews 7:28

infirmitie] Chap. 5. 2.

word of the oath] That is, the prophesie or promise of God by the Psalmist confirmed by an oath. Psal. 110.

consecrated] Gr. perfected. Chap. 2. 10. & 5. 9.