Hebrews 7:11-17 NKJV – “Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need [was there] that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. 14 For [it is] evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For He testifies: “You [are] a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”” 18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, [there is the] bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.”
V11 “Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need [was there] that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?” The Mosaic Law had no provision for forever forgiveness (Hebrews 10:4), because the true payment for sin is death (Romans 6:23), and our Passover Lamb had not come yet (1 Corinthians 5:7).
V12 “For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.” The Mosaic Law was clear that God’s choice was the High Priest to be a descendant of Aaron. For Jesus to be High Priest, the Mosaic law (old) had to be replaced by the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-33, Jeremiah 32:40, Ezekiel 37:26 with Matthew 26:28). Both the Old Covenant and New were initiated with blood–the Old with animal sacrifices and the New with THE Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7).
V13 “For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.” The Lord Jesus is a Jew (of Judah)–Matthew 1:1.
V14 “For [it is] evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.”
V15 “And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest…” The Hebrews writer illustrates the need for another priesthood. Jesus is of the Melchizedek priesthood (Psalm 110:4 and Hebrews 7:17).
V16 “…who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.” The fleshly commandment is the Mosaic Law. Some quotes:
Wuest Word Studies: “”Carnal” is the translation of sarkines which means “fleshly.” The norm or standard prescribed by the Mosaic commandments had to do with the human body. The priests had to come from a certain family, the Aaronic. Fitness for office even among the male members of this family was determined largely by physical qualifications. The priests must be without bodily blemish, and ceremonially pure.”
(Zondervan Bible Commentary (1 Vol.))” Verses 11–28 deal now with this new order of priesthood and the need for it. First of all the writer points out that the new order was predicted (he returns to Ps. 110:4), and it was predicted because perfection could not be attained through the Levitical priesthood (11). Perfection here means man’s ability to draw near to God (cf. v. 19; 9:9; 10:22). The old order of priesthood could never effect such an approach, though this was the chief purpose of the priesthood, simply because it could never fully remove the sin which barred the way. Therefore, the new order was in the mind and plan of God even while the old was in full operation. This means that the old law and the old covenant (8:7ff.) also were provisional, and were destined to be set aside along with the priesthood, for the whole legal system ‘turned upon the priesthood’ since the law given to the people established that priesthood (11). Thus, when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also (12).”
The power of an endless life shows the superiority of the Lord Jesus who had no sin, no beginning, no end, was resurrected, ascended to heaven, and sits at God the Father’s right hand.
V17 “For He testifies: “You [are] a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”” Jesus is now a never ending priest. He is priest for eternity. The Aaronic priests died; Jesus serves forever.
Finis Dake (beware) list these requirements for Old Testament priests, that apply to the Lord Jesus as well.
“Five Commands To Priests
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- A priest shall not profane himself (Lev 21:4).
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- He shall not profane the name of God (Lev 21:6; cp. 18:21; 19:12; 20:3; 22:2; 22:32).
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- A priest shall not marry a profane woman (Lev 21:7; 21:14).
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- He shall not profane the sanctuary (Lev 21:12; 21:23; cp. Ezek 23:39; 25:3)).
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- Priests shall not profane the holy things (Lev 22:15; cp. 22:9; Ezek 22:26).”
Note how the Lord Jesus fulfills these laws.
Point 1-Jesus was sinless (1 Peter 2:22 and 1 John 3:5)
Point 2-Jesus glorified God’s name (John 17:4, and John 8:29)
Point 3- The Bride of Christ is the church. The church in heaven by death, resurrection, or Rapture is sinless (Revelation 19:7-9 and 2 Corinthians 11:2).
Point 4- Jesus is sinless and qualified to enter the Temple in Heaven (Hebrews 9:11-24)
Point 5- Jesus, being holy, does not profane (defile) God’s holy things (Romans 5:1, 1 Corinthians 3:17, and Colossians 1:22), instead He makes things holy.
V18 “For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, …” The former commandment refers to the Mosaic Law which had “weakness and unprofitableness.” Weakness and unprofitable because Mosaic Law could not cleanse and purify the soul.
V19 “…for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, [there is the] bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” We are unable to draw near to God because of sin. Compare Leviticus 22:9 and Numbers 18:22 versus V19 and James 4:8. Mosaic Law was a temporary provision for restored fellowship with God. Our sin demands the death penalty. We sin so we have to sin. An animal cannot substitute. Our guilt cannot be gone if sin remains. Knowing and illustrating this weakness, Jesus came to bear our sins on the cross, dying, and presenting His blood in the heavenly Temple.