Hebrews 7:21

(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:)

(For {G1063} those priests {G2409} were {G3303}{G1526} made {G1096} without {G5565} an oath {G3728}; but {G1161} this with {G3326} an oath {G3728} by {G1223} him that said {G3004} unto {G4314} him {G846}, The Lord {G2962} sware {G3660} and {G2532} will {G3338} not {G3756} repent {G3338}, Thou {G4771} art a priest {G2409} for {G1519} ever {G165} after {G2596} the order {G5010} of Melchisedec {G3198}:)

but Yeshua became a cohen by the oath which God swore when he said to him,

“Adonai has sworn and will not change his mind,
‘You are a cohen forever.’”

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.’”

(for they indeed have been made priests without an oath; but he with an oath by him that saith of him, The Lord sware and will not repent himself, Thou art a priest for ever);

Commentary

Context

Hebrews 7:21 is a pivotal verse in the author's detailed argument for the superiority of Jesus Christ's priesthood over the traditional Levitical priesthood. The entire chapter focuses on comparing Jesus to Melchisedec, a mysterious priest-king mentioned in Genesis 14 and later prophesied in Psalm 110:4. This verse highlights a crucial distinction: the priests of the Old Covenant were appointed without a divine oath, but Christ's priesthood is established by an unchangeable promise from God Himself, underscoring its eternal and unassailable nature.

Key Themes

  • The Oath-Bound Priesthood of Christ: Unlike the priests under the Mosaic Law, whose appointment was based on lineage and tradition, Jesus' high priestly office is secured by a direct, solemn oath from God the Father. This divine oath signifies the permanence and unchangeability of Christ's role, setting it apart as fundamentally different and superior.
  • Superiority Over the Levitical Priesthood: The phrase "those priests were made without an oath" directly contrasts with "this with an oath," emphasizing that the Levitical system was temporary and imperfect. The mortal nature of the Levitical priests meant they died and had to be replaced, requiring constant succession. Christ, however, holds His priesthood by an oath that declares Him "a priest for ever," providing a permanent and effective means of access to God.
  • The Eternal Order of Melchisedec: The quote from Psalm 110:4 establishes Jesus' priesthood "after the order of Melchisedec." This order predates the Mosaic Law and is characterized by its timelessness and unique combination of kingly and priestly authority. Melchisedec's lack of recorded genealogy or end serves as a foreshadowing of Christ's eternal and perfect priestly ministry.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "The Lord sware and will not repent" is a powerful declaration of God's unchangeable will. The word "sware" (Hebrew: nishba') signifies a solemn, binding oath, indicating an irrevocable divine commitment. "Will not repent" (Hebrew: lo' yinnachem) further emphasizes God's unwavering resolve; He will not change His mind, regret His decision, or alter the terms of this divine appointment. This linguistic emphasis underscores the absolute certainty and security believers have in Christ's priestly work.

Significance and Application

Hebrews 7:21 offers profound assurance and comfort to believers. Because Jesus' priesthood is founded on an unchangeable divine oath, His intercession for us is eternal, perfect, and unwavering. We do not rely on a succession of fallible human priests but on one divine and ever-living High Priest. This means that Christ's atoning work and His ongoing advocacy on our behalf are eternally effective, providing complete and lasting access to God. This verse highlights the definitive and permanent nature of the new covenant established through Him, offering a stability and completeness of salvation that the old covenant could never achieve.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 110:4 (18 votes)

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

  • Hebrews 7:17 (8 votes)

    For he testifieth, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

  • Hebrews 6:16 (3 votes)

    For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation [is] to them an end of all strife.

  • Hebrews 6:18 (3 votes)

    That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

  • 1 Samuel 15:29 (2 votes)

    And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he [is] not a man, that he should repent.