Hebrews 7

The author expounds Melchizedek, the priest-king of Salem who blessed Abraham and received his tithe (Genesis 14), “without father or mother or genealogy,” resembling the Son of God and remaining “a priest forever.” Since Abraham (and so Levi) paid tithes to Melchizedek, Melchizedek’s priesthood — and Christ’s after his order — is greater than the Levitical. The old priesthood and law could not bring perfection, so a new priest arose “not on the basis of a legal requirement... but by the power of an indestructible life,” guaranteed by God’s oath. Unlike the many mortal priests, Jesus “holds his priesthood permanently,” and “he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” — a fitting high priest, “holy, innocent, unstained,” who offered Himself once for all.