College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Hebrews 7:20-22
B.
He is a priest made with an path. Hebrews 7:20-22.
Text
Hebrews 7:20 And inasmuch as it is not without the taking of an oath Hebrews 7:21 (for they indeed have been made priests without an oath; but He with an oath by Him that saith of Him.
The Lord sware and will not repent Himself,
Thou art a priest forever);
Hebrews 7:22 by so much also hath Jesus become the surety of a better covenant.
Paraphrase
Hebrews 7:20 Moreover, that the Gospel is a better and more effectual covenant than the law, is evident; for in as much as not without an oath Jesus the Mediator of the Gospel covenant was made a Priest:
Hebrews 7:21 For Aaron and his sons verily were made priests without an oath; but Jesus was made a Priest with an oath, in which an unchangeable priesthood was conferred on Him by God, Who said to Him, The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent of the appointment, Thou art a Priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek:
Hebrews 7:22 I say, inasmuch as by the oath of God an unchangeable priesthood was conferred on Him, by so much was Jesus made the Mediator of a more permanent and effectual covenant than the Sinaitic.
Comment
And inasmuch as it is not without the taking of an oath
Psalms 110:4 expresses this oath, This is more of the abundant evidence.
a.
God's oath is to show the certainty and immutability of the thing sworn.
1.
He swore to Abraham. Genesis 22:16-18.
2.
He swore that Israel would not enter his rest. Deuteronomy 1:35.
3.
He swore that Moses would not enter Canaan, Deuteronomy 4:21.
4.
He swore that David and his seed would endure. Psalms 89:4.
b.
Now Christ's priesthood is sworn to, to show its unchangeableness, The Levitical priesthood not being sworn to indicates that it was temporary.
For they indeed have been made priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him that saith of Him, The Lord sware and will not repent Himself, Thou art a Priest forever
For they indeed have been made priest without an oath indicates a contract.
a.
Their priesthood came by natural descent.
b.
The value of the covenant is determined by the presence or absence of an oath.
An oath is something final and determinative in nature, But He with an oath shows the superiority of Christ's priesthood. This is found in Psalms 110:4, By him that saith of Him indicates God's oath. The Lord sware and will not repent Himself, Thou art a Priest forever, indicates the unchangeable priesthood.
by so much also hath Jesus become the surety of a better covenant
By so mucha term of measurement.
a.
Hebrews 1:4: A fuller revelation.
b.
Hebrews 3:3: More honor.
c.
Hebrews 7:22: Better covenant.
d.
Hebrews 8:6: Better ministry.
e.
Hebrews 9:14: Complete cleansing.
... hath Jesus become the surety has the idea of binding.
a.
The Greek word for surety is egguos, and appears only here.
1.
It means a sponsor or bondswoman.
2.
Acts 17:30-31: It gives the idea of final evidence.
Of a better covenant ought to be of interest to all:
a.
See Hebrews 8:6, which says it is better because of better promises involved.
b.
Most people realize the superiority of anything new over the old, except those who deal with antiques.
1.
Too many are interested in religious antiques.
2.
The new covenant with a superior priest and promises should be preferred.
Study Questions
1238.
What was without an oath, or is this what the author says?
1239.
Where is the oath recorded? Cf. Psalms 110:4.
1240.
Is this more of the abundant evidence of Hebrews 7:15?
1241.
What other times did God swear? Cf. Genesis 22:16-18; Deuteronomy 4:21; Deuteronomy 8:1.
1242.
If the Levitical priesthood was not sworn to, what can be assumed?
1243.
What was the content of the oath?
1244.
If the Levitical priests were not appointed by an oath, how were they appointed?
1245.
Is the value of a priesthood determined by the oath?
1246.
What is meant by will not repent Himself?
1247.
What is meant by the expression, by so much?
1248.
What is implied by the word surety?
1249.
What is the surety of?
1250.
How is it a better covenant? Cf. Hebrews 1:4; Hebrews 3:3; Hebrews 7:22; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:14.