10. In the loins of his father (év r7 édcgvi tod sratpos). His own father; not of Abraham.
When Melchisedec met him. In the person of Abraham. The whole Jewish law, its ordinances and priesthood, are regarded as potentially in Abraham. When Abraham paid tithes, Levi paid tithes. When Abraham was blessed, Israel was blessed. It isa kind of reasoning which would appeal to Hebrews, who so strongly emphasised the solidarity of their race. Comp. Rom. ix. 4, 5.
11. In Christ, as the Melchisedec-priest, the ideal of the priesthood is realised.
Perfection (vedefwous). Only here and L. i. 45. The act or process of consummating. By this word is signified the establishment of a perfect fellowship between God and the worshipper. See ch. ix. 9; x. 1.
Priesthood (iepwovvns). Only in Hebrews. See vv. 12, 14. It expresses the abstract notion of the priest’s office; while ‘epatia, ver. 5, expresses the priestly service.
For under it the people received the law (yap én’ adrijs vevomobérntat). Under, rather on the basis of. The verb lit. the law has been laid down. Only here and ch. viii. 6.
What further need (ré&s éru ypeta). “Ere after that, assuming that there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood.
Another priest (érepov tepéa). Not merely another, but a different kind of priest. See on Matt. vi. 24.
460 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. VII.
Should rise (avictacOa). In Hebrews only here and ver. 15, both times in connection with priest.
12. Being changed (perarifeuevns). Or transferred to another order. See on Gal. i. 6.
A change (yeraGeos). A transfer to a new basis. Only in Hebrews. See ch. xi. 5; xii. 27. The inferiority of the Levitical priesthood is inferred from the fact that another priesthood was promised. If perfection was possible at all under the Mosaic economy, it must come through the Leviti- cal priesthood, since that priesthood was, in a sense, the basis of the law. The whole legal system centred in it. The fun- damental idea of the law was that of a people united with God. Sin, the obstacle to this ideal union, was dealt with through the priesthood. If the law failed to effect complete fellowship with God, the priesthood was shown to be a fail- ure, and must be abolished; and the change of the priesthood involved the abolition of the entire legal system.
18. As the law prescribed that the priesthood should be of the order of Aaron, a new priesthood, not of that order, must set aside the law.
Pertaineth to another tribe (duAss érépas peréoynnev). Lit. hath partaken of another tribe. Not only another, but a different tribe; one not specially set apart to sacerdotal ser- vice.
Of which no man gave attendance at the altar (a¢” fis ovdels mpoceaynnev TH Ovoractnpi). Ilpooéyeuw originally to bring to; bring the mind to; attend to. See on ch. ii. 1. Ovovacryptov altar, °Class. Strictly an altar for the sacri- fice of victims; but used of the altar of incense, L. i. 11; Apoc. viii. 3; comp. Ex. xxx. 1. See on Acts xvii. 28. It was also used of the enclosure in which the altar stood. See Ignat. Eph. v; Trall. vii. See Lightfoot’s interesting note, Jgnatius and Polycarp, Vol. II., p. 48.
Cu. VIL] THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 461 14. Evident (pcdyAov). Obvious. See on 1 Tim. v. 24.
Sprang (avatéradxev). Rend. hath sprung. In N. T. always of the rising of a heavenly body, sun or star, except L. xii. 54, of a cloud, and here. See LXX, Gen. xxxii. 31; Ex. xxii. 3; Num. xxiv. 17; Judg. ix. 33; Isa. xiv. 12; Ix. 1; Mal. iv. 2. Also of the springing up of plants, Gen. ii. 5; iii. 18; Deut. xxix. 23; of the growing of the beard, 2 Sam. x. 5.
15. Evident (kardéndov). N.T.°. Thoroughly evident. Not referring to that which is declared to be mpddnrov evi- dent in ver. 14, viz., that Christ sprang out of Judah, but to the general proposition —the unsatisfactory character of the Levitical priesthood.