Hebrews 7 — Verse 20, 21, 22 (Introduction)

The Apostle had warned the Hebrews before, that he had many things to say, and those not easie to be understood concerning Melchisedec. And herein he intended not only those things which he expresseth directly concerning that Person and his office, but the things themselves signifyed thereby in the Person and Office of Christ. And therefore he omits nothing which may from there be any way represented. So from that one Testimony of the Psalmist he makes sundry inferences to his purpose. As,

1. That the Lord Christ was to be a Priest, which included in it the cessation of the Levitical Priesthood, seeing he was of the Tribe of Judah, and not of the Tribe of Levi.

2. That he was to be another Priest, that is, a Priest of another order, namely, that of Melchisedec. And this he variously demonstrates to prove his preheminence above the Aaronical Priesthood: as also thereon, that upon his introduction that order was utterly to cease and be disanulled.

3. He observes from the same Testimony to the same purpose, that he was to be a Priest for ever, so as that there should never more upon his death or otherwise be any need of another Priest, nor any possibility of the return of the former Priesthood into the Church.

4. Neither yet does he rest here, but observes moreover the manner how God in the Testimony insisted on, declared his purpose of making the Lord Christ a Priest which was constitutive of his office; and that was by his Oath. And from there takes occasion to manifest how far his Priesthood is exalted above that under the Law. This is that which now lyes before us in these verses. And we have in these things an instance given of what unsearchable stores of wisdom and truth are laid up in every parcel of the word of God, if we have a spiritual light in their investigation.

The words of the 20th verse being elliptical, the sense of them is variously supplyed. Most translators carry on the sense to that which is the middest of the 21st in our translation, Others were made Priests without an Oath. The Syriack refers the words to them foregoing; [in non-Latin alphabet] and confirmed it, (that is the better hope) with an Oath. And Beza, etiam quatenus non sine jurejurando superintroducta est; in as much as (that hope) is not brought in without an Oath; And another, since, Et eo potior illa spes, quatenùs n n absque jurejurando superintroducta est Schmid. But this limits the comparison to this verse, which the Apostle really finisheth ver. 22. Vul. Lat. & quantum est non sine jurejurando; which the Rhemists render; and in as much as it is not without an Oath. Ours supply; he was made a Priest; in as much as not without an Oath, he was made a Priest: no doubt according to the mind of the Apostle. For he has a prospect in these words to what ensues, where he expresly applyes this Oath to the Priesthood of Christ, and the consummation thereof.

[in non-Latin alphabet]; Etiam quatenus; & quatenus; and in as much. [in non-Latin alphabet] is omitted by the Syriack; Vul. in quantum est, in as much; hereunto answereth, [in non-Latin alphabet] ver. 22. eatenus.

[in non-Latin alphabet] is the same with [in non-Latin alphabet], jusjurandum; an Oath. But it is here principally applyed to those Oaths whereby conventions, compacts, or Covenants were confirmed. Hence [in non-Latin alphabet] were the sacrifices that were offered in the confirmation of sworn Covenants. It is three times used here by our Apostle on this occasion, ver. 20, 21, 28. and no where else in the New Testament.

[in non-Latin alphabet]. Vul. Alii quidem, which the Rhemists mend by rendring it, and the other; Beza. nam illi quidem; and so the Syriack [in non-Latin alphabet] and they; ours; for those Priests; rather, and truly those Priests, though [in non-Latin alphabet], have only the force of a causal conjunction.

[in non-Latin alphabet]; Syr. [in non-Latin alphabet]; were, but the manner of their being made Priests is intended; and so the words are to be expressed fully; facti sunt, were made.

[in non-Latin alphabet]; The Syriack adds, [in non-Latin alphabet] by the hand of David; It is not the giving of the Oath, but the recording of it in the Psalm that he intendeth.

[in non-Latin alphabet]; non poenitebit; Syr. [in non-Latin alphabet] and will not lye; will not repent, or change his mind.

[in non-Latin alphabet]; Vul. in tantum; to answer in quantum before; Tantò, eatenùs; tanto; by so much; Syr. [in non-Latin alphabet] hoc toto, by all this; and so proceeds; this Covenant was more excellent wherein Jesus was made the Surety.

Of the signification of the word [in non-Latin alphabet] I shall speak afterwards.