Hebrews 5:6 kjv
As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Hebrews 5:6 nkjv
As He also says in another place: "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek";
Hebrews 5:6 niv
And he says in another place, "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."
Hebrews 5:6 esv
as he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek."
Hebrews 5:6 nlt
And in another passage God said to him, "You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek."
Hebrews 5 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 110:4 | The Lord has sworn... "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." | Source of the quotation; emphasizes divine oath. |
| Gen 14:18-20 | Melchizedek king of Salem... brought out bread and wine... priest of God Most High. | First mention of Melchizedek; king-priest archetype. |
| Heb 7:1-3 | This Melchizedek... King of Righteousness, King of Peace... like the Son of God. | Introduction to Melchizedek in Hebrews, highlighting his unique traits. |
| Heb 7:11-14 | If perfection was through the Levitical priesthood... what further need... Melchizedek? | Argues for the inadequacy of Levitical priesthood. |
| Heb 7:15-17 | Another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, not by law... but by endless life. | Connects Christ's priesthood to eternal life, not carnal commandment. |
| Heb 7:20-22 | Not without an oath did he become a priest, for others became priests without an oath... | Christ's priesthood established by God's unbreakable oath. |
| Heb 7:23-24 | Many priests because prevented by death... Jesus, because he continues forever, holds priesthood. | Contrast Christ's permanent priesthood with mortal Levitical priests. |
| Heb 7:25 | Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him... | The power of Christ's eternal priesthood for salvation. |
| Heb 7:26-28 | Such a high priest suits us... holy, innocent, unstained... perfecting forever. | Character of Christ our High Priest; perfects His people. |
| Heb 8:1 | We have such a high priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty. | Christ's exalted position in heaven as High Priest. |
| Heb 8:6 | Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry, for he is the mediator of a better covenant. | His superior priesthood mediates a better covenant. |
| Heb 9:11-12 | Christ came as high priest... not through the blood of goats... but through His own blood. | His once-for-all, perfect sacrifice as High Priest. |
| Heb 10:11-14 | Every priest stands daily... but when Christ had offered... he sat down forever. | Contrast between repetitive Levitical sacrifices and Christ's single, perfect one. |
| Heb 4:14-16 | Since then we have a great high priest... let us draw near with confidence. | Christ's approachable high priesthood offering mercy. |
| Heb 5:10 | Designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. | Immediate context of God's designation of Christ. |
| Zech 6:12-13 | Behold, the man whose name is the Branch... he shall be a priest on his throne. | Prophetic type of the King-Priest; Messiah's dual role. |
| Psa 2:7 | "You are my Son; today I have begotten you." | Prophecy concerning God's Son, context for Christ's divine appointment. |
| Jn 12:34 | Christ remains forever... | Points to the eternality of the Messiah. |
| 1 Tim 2:5 | For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. | Christ as the sole mediator, implying His priestly intercession. |
| Rom 8:34 | Christ Jesus is he who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand... intercedes. | Christ's ongoing intercession for believers as our High Priest. |
| Rev 1:6 | He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to his God and Father. | Christ makes believers a kingdom of priests through His sacrifice. |
| Rev 5:9-10 | You are worthy... you ransomed people... made them a kingdom and priests to our God. | Further emphasizes Christ's work in making His followers priests. |
| Isa 53:10-12 | He shall prolong his days... he shall make many righteous... he poured out his soul to death. | Messianic prophecy of the suffering servant whose work leads to lasting effects. |
Hebrews 5 verses
Hebrews 5 6 Meaning
Hebrews 5:6 reaffirms Jesus Christ's divine appointment as High Priest, emphasizing that His priesthood is not in the line of Aaron or the Levitical system, but is an eternal priesthood established directly by God according to the unique order of Melchizedek. This declaration signifies Christ's absolute superiority and the everlasting efficacy of His intercession and sacrifice. It asserts that His priestly office is perpetual, immutable, and sufficient for all time, forming the foundation of a new and better covenant.
Hebrews 5 6 Context
Hebrews chapter 5 explains why Jesus is supremely qualified to be our High Priest, contrasting His perfect and divinely appointed priesthood with the limited and temporary nature of the Aaronic priesthood. Verses 1-4 establish the requirements for a high priest from among men: they must be able to sympathize with human weaknesses, appointed by God, and offer sacrifices for sins. Verse 5 asserts that Christ did not glorify Himself but was appointed by the Father, echoing Psalm 2:7. Hebrews 5:6 then presents a second proof text for Christ's divine appointment, drawn from Psalm 110:4, specifically introducing the concept of Christ's priesthood being "according to the order of Melchizedek." This sets the stage for the extended exposition in Hebrews Chapter 7 regarding the superiority and eternality of Christ's unique priesthood, showing how it fulfills what the Levitical system could not. The historical context for the original Jewish Christian audience involved the strong pull to revert to the established rituals and practices of Judaism, and the author here polemically asserts Christ's enduring superiority over these temporary shadow forms.
Hebrews 5 6 Word analysis
- As He also says: This phrase (καθὼς καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει, kathōs kai en heterō legei) signals the author's continued use of Old Testament scripture to support the claims about Jesus' high priesthood. "He" refers to God the Father, who speaks these words through the prophet, affirming divine authorship and prophetic fulfillment in Christ. This underscores that Christ's priesthood is not self-appointed but divinely ordained.
- in another place: Refers directly to Psalm 110:4, signifying that this prophetic utterance stands alongside other divine testimonies to Christ's messianic role, particularly the one referenced in verse 5 (Psalm 2:7). This rhetorical device indicates a structured theological argument from the scriptures.
- "You are": The Greek word "Σὺ εἶ" (Sy ei) is emphatic, a direct and personal declaration from God the Father to His Son, Jesus the Messiah. This personal address highlights the unique relationship and specific appointment.
- a priest: The Greek word "ἱερεύς" (hiereus) specifically denotes one who mediates between God and humanity, offering sacrifices and intercession. The entire book of Hebrews redefines and elevates this concept in Christ.
- forever: The Greek "εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα" (eis ton aiōna) translates to "unto the age" or "for all time, eternally." This is a crucial distinction from the Levitical priesthood, which was temporary due to the mortality of its priests (Heb 7:23) and the impermanence of the sacrifices they offered. Christ's priesthood is permanent and unchanging, making His sacrifice and intercession eternally effective.
- according to the order: The Greek "κατὰ τὴν τάξιν" (kata tēn taxin) means "according to the kind, pattern, rank, or type." It implies that Melchizedek's priesthood wasn't a lineage like Aaron's, but a unique archetype, a pre-existing divine pattern. It signifies a qualitative distinction and superiority.
- of Melchizedek: This refers to the historical figure mentioned in Genesis 14:18-20, a king of Salem and "priest of God Most High." His significance is elaborated extensively in Hebrews 7. He foreshadows Christ as a unique priest who combines kingship (King of Salem means King of Peace; King of Righteousness by interpretation in Heb 7:2) with priesthood, predating the Aaronic priesthood and possessing an enduring, non-hereditary office. His priesthood is outside of and superior to the Mosaic Law system, making him an ideal figure to prefigure Christ's new and superior covenant priesthood.
Hebrews 5 6 Bonus section
The repeated emphasis on Psalm 110:4 throughout Hebrews underscores its critical messianic significance. The quote serves as a prophetic pillar supporting the argument that Jesus, while fully human and capable of sympathy, holds an office far transcending any earthly high priest. It also subtly introduces the theme of Christ's dual role as both King (Ps 110:1-3) and Priest (Ps 110:4), an attribute only typified by Melchizedek in the Old Testament, but perfectly embodied in Christ, "the King of Righteousness and King of Peace" (Heb 7:2). This combination highlights the comprehensive nature of Christ's authority and mediation: He rules as sovereign King even as He intercedes as High Priest.
Hebrews 5 6 Commentary
Hebrews 5:6 is a pivotal verse within the book of Hebrews, grounding Christ's high priesthood in divine prophecy and oath. By quoting Psalm 110:4, the author emphasizes two non-negotiable truths about Jesus' priestly office: its eternal nature ("forever") and its unique character ("according to the order of Melchizedek"). This radically sets Christ apart from the Aaronic high priests, who were mortal and part of a temporary system. The eternality of Christ's priesthood ensures the perpetual efficacy of His sacrifice and intercession; He "continues forever" (Heb 7:24) and is therefore "able to save completely" (Heb 7:25). The Melchizedekian order points to a priesthood that is superior, without lineage, begins outside the law, combines kingly and priestly authority, and has no recorded end (Heb 7:3). This implies that Christ’s ministry does not end with His earthly life or even His ascension, but continues as an interceding high priest at the right hand of God, securing direct and permanent access for believers to the Father. This eternal and perfect High Priest makes salvation secure and access to God continually available, fulfilling what the old covenant shadows could only point to.