Hebrews 7:16

ESV who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.

NIV one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.

NASB who has become a priest not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.

CSB who did not become a priest based on a legal regulation about physical descent but based on the power of an indestructible life.

NLT Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed.

KJV Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

NKJV who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.

What does Hebrews 7:16 mean?

This passage in Hebrews explains how the priesthood of Jesus Christ is like that of Melchizedek, which makes it superior to the Levitical priesthood of the Old Testament. Levitical priests gained their position on the basis of their ancestry—only those from the tribe of Levi could serve in that role (Deuteronomy 18:1; Numbers 3:5–10). Melchizedek, on the other hand, was a "priest of God Most High" long before the birth of Levi or Aaron (Genesis 14:18). Abraham even paid tithes to this man (Hebrews 7:6–7), showing reverence for his position. The writer of Hebrews compares this to statements such as Psalm 110:4, where God promises to establish the priesthood of Melchizedek forever, and prior statements that the Messiah will be both priest and king (Hebrews 1:8–9; 5:5–6).

Jesus, then, does not obtain His priesthood in the way that a Levitical priest would: through human ancestry. Instead, His position is secured through His "indestructible" life. This is from the Greek word akatalytou, literally meaning "indissoluble," or "unending." A point made earlier was that Melchizedek, metaphorically speaking, is presented with an "endless" life, symbolized by his lack of recorded genealogy (Hebrews 7:3, 8). This, again, is meant to prove that Jesus Christ and His priesthood are the true means of salvation for man, rather than the imperfect system of the Old Testament priesthood.

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Context Summary
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.

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Chapter Context
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.

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