Hebrews 7:20

KJV

And inasmuch as not without an oath [he was made priest]:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} inasmuch as {G2596}{G3745} not {G3756} without {G5565} an oath {G3728} he was made priest:

Complete Jewish Bible

What is more, God swore an oath. For no oath was sworn in connection with those who become cohanim now;

Berean Standard Bible

And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,

American Standard Version

And inasmuch as it is not without the taking of an oath

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 7:20 introduces a pivotal distinction in the argument for Christ's superior priesthood: unlike the Levitical priests who were appointed without a divine oath, Jesus Christ was made High Priest by God's solemn and unchangeable declaration. This verse sets the stage for the subsequent emphasis on the permanence, perfection, and efficacy of Christ's ministry, establishing His priestly office on an entirely different and more secure foundation than that of the Old Covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hebrews 7:20 is strategically placed within the author's extended argument (Hebrews 5:1-10:18) for the supremacy of Jesus Christ as High Priest, particularly His priesthood "after the order of Melchizedek." The preceding verses (Hebrews 7:11-19) have already highlighted the inadequacy and temporary nature of the Levitical priesthood and the Law, positing that a change in the priesthood necessitated a change in the Law. Verse 20, by emphasizing the "oath," directly introduces the foundational difference that elevates Christ's priesthood above the Aaronic system. It serves as a direct lead-in to the explicit quotation of [Psalm 110:4](/psalms/110-4 "Psalm 110:4 - The Lord's Oath to the Priest Forever") in [Hebrews 7:21](/hebrews/7-21 "Hebrews 7:21 - Christ Made Priest with an Oath"), which is the scriptural bedrock for the Melchizedekian order. The "oath" signifies God's direct, unchangeable intervention, contrasting sharply with the Levitical priests who were appointed "without an oath" (Hebrews 7:21b).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For the original Jewish audience of the Book of Hebrews, the Levitical priesthood was central to their religious and cultural identity. It was the divinely ordained means of approaching God, offering sacrifices for sin, and maintaining covenant relationship. Priests were appointed by lineage from Aaron, and their service was governed by the Mosaic Law. The concept of an "oath" (Hebrew: *shevu'ah*, Greek: *horkos*) carried immense weight in ancient Near Eastern and Jewish cultures. Oaths were solemn declarations, often invoking divine witness or judgment, and were considered binding and unchangeable. A covenant established or confirmed by an oath was of the highest possible authority and permanence. Therefore, stating that Christ's priesthood was established "with an oath" while the Levitical was "without" would immediately signal a profound difference in authority, permanence, and divine backing, challenging the deeply ingrained assumptions about the existing temple system.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Hebrews. Firstly, it underscores the **superiority of Christ's priesthood** over the Levitical, not merely in terms of lineage or duration, but in its very mode of establishment – by divine oath. This leads directly to the theme of **permanence and unchangeableness**, as an oath from God guarantees an eternal and unbreakable commitment, contrasting with the mortal and temporary nature of the Levitical priests who "were many priests, because death prevented them from continuing in office" ([Hebrews 7:23](/hebrews/7-23 "Hebrews 7:23 - The Mortality of Levitical Priests")). Secondly, it highlights **divine initiative and sovereignty** in salvation history, emphasizing that Christ's role as High Priest is not a human innovation but a direct, sworn act of God. This divine appointment is foundational to the **better covenant** that Christ mediates, as discussed in [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant"). The oath-bound priesthood ensures the certainty and efficacy of the new covenant's promises and the access believers have to God through Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **oath (Greek, _horkōmosía'_):** This term, derived from *horkos* (oath) and *omnyo* (to swear), specifically refers to the act of swearing an oath or an asseveration on oath. Its use here immediately elevates the nature of Christ's appointment. Unlike human appointments or lineage-based roles, this signifies a divine, solemn, and binding declaration by God Himself. It points directly to the prophetic declaration in [Psalm 110:4](/psalms/110-4 "Psalm 110:4 - The Eternal Priesthood of Melchizedek"), where God swears an oath regarding the eternal priesthood of the Melchizedekian order.
* **not without (Greek, _ou chōrís'_):** This double negative ("not without") functions as an emphatic affirmative, meaning "with an oath." *Ou* (G3756) is the absolute negative adverb, and *chōrís* (G5565) means "apart from" or "without." The construction highlights the critical presence of the oath in Christ's priestly ordination, setting it apart from the Levitical system where such an oath was absent. It underscores the unique and superior nature of Christ's appointment, emphasizing that the oath is an indispensable and defining characteristic of His priesthood.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And inasmuch as":** This introductory phrase (Greek: *kai kath' hoson*) connects the current statement to the preceding argument, indicating a logical progression. It means "and to the extent that" or "and in proportion as," signaling that the following information provides a crucial distinguishing factor or a measure of comparison for what has been discussed about the two priesthoods.
* **"not without an oath":** This is the core of the verse's assertion. As analyzed above, the double negative "not without" emphatically affirms that Christ's priesthood was indeed established *with* an oath. This immediately contrasts with the Levitical priests, who were appointed "without an oath" (as stated in the subsequent verse, [Hebrews 7:21](/hebrews/7-21 "Hebrews 7:21 - The Oath-Bound Priesthood")). The presence of this divine oath is the fundamental difference that ensures the permanence and superiority of Christ's priestly office.
* **"[he was made priest]:"** The verb "he was made priest" or "he became priest" is implied in the Greek text from the surrounding context (e.g., [Hebrews 7:11](/hebrews/7-11 "Hebrews 7:11 - The Need for a New Priesthood") and [Hebrews 7:21](/hebrews/7-21 "Hebrews 7:21 - Christ Made Priest with an Oath")). The author assumes the reader understands that the subject is Christ and the action is His investiture into the priestly office. The crucial point is *how* He was made priest – by an oath, signifying divine, unchangeable, and eternal appointment, rather than by human lineage or the temporary Law.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews employs several literary devices in this concise verse to convey its profound theological significance. **Emphasis** is achieved through the use of a double negative ("not without an oath"), which functions as an emphatic affirmative, drawing particular attention to the presence of the divine oath as the distinguishing feature of Christ's priesthood. This creates a powerful **Contrast** that is fully developed in the subsequent verses (Hebrews 7:21-22), where the oath-bound nature of Christ's priesthood is directly juxtaposed with the oath-less appointment of the Levitical priests. The verse also serves as an **Allusion** to [Psalm 110:4](/psalms/110-4 "Psalm 110:4 - The Lord's Oath to the Priest Forever"), a key Old Testament prophecy that the author explicitly quotes and expounds upon immediately after this verse. This strategic allusion grounds the argument in prophetic scripture, demonstrating the divine foreordination of Christ's unique priestly role.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 7:20 is a cornerstone for understanding the absolute superiority and eternal efficacy of Jesus Christ's high priestly ministry. The establishment of Christ's priesthood by a divine oath signifies God's unchangeable purpose and unwavering commitment to the new covenant. Unlike the temporary, fallible, and mortal Levitical priests, Christ's office is grounded in God's own sworn word, making it permanent, perfect, and unassailable. This divine oath ensures that Christ's intercession is always effective, His sacrifice eternally sufficient, and His mediation perpetually valid. It underscores the faithfulness of God to His promises and the certainty of salvation for those who draw near to Him through Christ.

* [Psalm 110:4](/psalms/110-4 "Psalm 110:4 - The Lord Has Sworn and Will Not Change His Mind")
* [Hebrews 6:13-18](/hebrews/6-13-18 "Hebrews 6:13-18 - God's Oath and Promise")
* [Hebrews 7:21-22](/hebrews/7-21-22 "Hebrews 7:21-22 - The Oath and the Better Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The truth that Jesus Christ was made High Priest by an unchangeable divine oath offers immense comfort and assurance to believers. In a world characterized by instability, broken promises, and shifting foundations, our access to God is secured by an eternal, divine decree. This means our salvation is not dependent on human performance, the changing tides of religious systems, or the fallibility of human mediators. Instead, it rests on the immutable character and sworn word of God, enacted through His Son. We can approach God's throne of grace with full confidence, knowing that our High Priest is eternally qualified, perfectly intercedes for us, and remains forever faithful to His calling. This truth should deepen our trust in God's sovereign plan, strengthen our assurance of salvation, and inspire us to live lives that reflect the certainty of our hope in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God's unchangeable oath impact your understanding of divine faithfulness?**
* **In what ways does knowing Christ's priesthood is "not without an oath" provide greater assurance than if it were established by human means?**
* **How should the permanence of Christ's priestly ministry affect your daily walk of faith and your approach to prayer?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "an oath" in Hebrews 7:20, and to which oath does it refer?**

Answer: The significance of "an oath" in [Hebrews 7:20](/hebrews/7-20 "Hebrews 7:20 - Christ Made Priest with an Oath") is profound: it establishes the divine, unchangeable, and eternal nature of Jesus Christ's priesthood, setting it apart as superior to the temporary, lineage-based Levitical priesthood. The author explicitly refers to the oath found in [Psalm 110:4](/psalms/110-4 "Psalm 110:4 - The Lord's Oath to the Priest Forever"), which states, "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'" This oath, sworn by God Himself, guarantees the permanence and efficacy of Christ's priestly office, ensuring that His mediation and sacrifice are eternally valid and sufficient.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 7:20 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' unique and eternal high priestly ministry, which perfectly accomplishes what the Old Covenant priesthood could not. The divine oath mentioned in this verse, drawn from [Psalm 110:4](/psalms/110-4 "Psalm 110:4 - The Lord's Oath to the Priest Forever"), signifies that Christ's appointment as High Priest is not a temporary arrangement but an unchangeable, divinely established reality. Unlike the Levitical priests who were mortal and constantly replaced ([Hebrews 7:23](/hebrews/7-23 "Hebrews 7:23 - The Many Levitical Priests")), Jesus, by virtue of this oath, holds His priesthood permanently because "He lives forever" ([Hebrews 7:24](/hebrews/7-24 "Hebrews 7:24 - Christ's Permanent Priesthood")). This eternal priesthood allows Him to "save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them" ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")). Thus, the oath ensures that the new covenant He mediates is "a better covenant, which was established on better promises" ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - The Better Covenant")), providing perfect access to God and complete atonement for sin, a fulfillment foreshadowed in the Old Testament but fully realized only in the person and work of Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 18:7

Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office [unto you] as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

Hebrews 5:6

As he saith also in another [place], Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Psalms 110:4

The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.