Hebrews 7:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

NIV: Such a high priest truly meets our need--one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

NASB: For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens;

CSB: For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

NLT: He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.

KJV: For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

NKJV: For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;

According to the author of Hebrews, it makes sense that God's ultimate plan for our salvation would involve a high priest who is eternal, exalted, and without sin. The gist of this passage has been the superiority of Jesus' priesthood to that of the Old Covenant (Hebrews 7:22). Among the points raised so far are that the Old Covenant priesthood was not promised with an oath (Hebrews 7:20), while Jesus was given such a promise by God (Hebrews 7:21). Priests could only serve until death (Hebrews 7:23), while Christ is eternally alive (Hebrews 7:16). Later verses will also mention the fact that human priests have to offer sacrifices for their own sins (Hebrews 7:27), while Jesus is sinless (Hebrews 4:15), and that animal sacrifices can never equal the single, perfect sacrifice offered by Jesus on the cross (Hebrews 9:11–14).

This verse summarizes the overall point of this passage: that Jesus is the perfect, complete fulfillment of God's promised role of high priest. All attributes listed of Christ here correspond to attributes assigned to Jesus elsewhere in the book of Hebrews, as well as the New Testament. Jesus is "holy," meaning "set apart" (John 6:69). He is "innocent" and "unstained" by sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). He is "separated" from sinners, in the sense that He was tempted without falling into sin (Hebrews 4:15). And, Jesus is "exalted" by God (Philippians 2:9).

A fundamental theme of Hebrews is confidence in Jesus Christ. The reason for arguing that Jesus holds a superior priesthood is to encourage believers not to fade under persecution. Instead of falling away, or returning to the imperfect system of Judaism, we should be willing to "hold fast" to the gospel (Hebrews 3:6).

Hebrews 7:11–28 expands on prior arguments related to the priesthood of Jesus Christ. Here, the author shows how the priesthood of Jesus is superior to that of the Old Testament Law. This uses the figure of Melchizedek as a model. Christ's priesthood is sinless, perfect, unending, and decreed as such by God. The Levitical priesthood was temporary, flawed, imperfect, and could not last forever. This better promise, in Christ, is tied into the confidence we have as believers.

When Abraham met with Melchizedek in the Old Testament, he honored him with tithes. This shows that Abraham recognized Melchizedek's superiority. Since the Old Covenant was flawed—based on limited priests and limited sacrifices—it is inferior to the priesthood of Melchizedek, which is unending. Jesus Christ fulfills God's promise to establish a priest ''forever'' in a way which perfectly meets our needs.

Chapters 5 and 6 detoured from the main theme in order to present a warning about faithlessness and apostasy. Chapter 7 returns to the topic of Melchizedek, who represents a mysterious but important moment in Old Testament history. Here, the author will show how Melchizedek was superior to Abraham, and that Melchizedek's priesthood is superior to the priesthood of Aaron. This leads into the next chapters, which show how Jesus Christ perfectly fulfills our salvation in ways which the Old Covenant cannot.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.