Page 59 - Hebrews- Student Textbook

10. God has provided something better (cf.11:40)
11. He sprinkled blood speaks better (cf. 12:24)

7:9-10 This is rabbinical exegesis. Since Levi the tribe of Aaron is descendant from Abraham, then by
analogy, the Jewish priesthood (i.e., even the High Priest) paid tithes to Melchizedek. Therefore,
Melchizedek is superior and Jesus is superior to Jewish priests.

7:11 "if" This is a SECOND CLASS CONDITIONAL which is called contrary to fact. A false statement is made to
make a point. The Levitical priesthood did not bring spiritual perfection or maturity.

Chapter 8

The Supremacy of the New Covenant to the Old Covenant

If God was the author of the old Sinaitic covenant, what was so wrong with it? Certainly the problem
was not with the covenant-maker, God. What was wrong then?
The Sinai covenant had two problems: (1) the law’s ceremonial aspects were only “copies,”
“patterns,” or “shadows” of the real that was to come; and (2) the main problem was with the people,
46
for they “broke” God’s covenant (Jer 31:32; Heb 8:8).
CONTEXTUAL GUIDE: HEBREWS 8:1-13

A. This is part of a unified context related to the reader's need for maturity. This section runs from 5:11-
10:18 with a parenthesis of warning from 5:12-6:20.

B. As chapter 2 develops using Psalm 8, chapters 3 and 4 develop using Psalm 110, and chapter 8 uses
Jer. 31:31-34 (chapter 10 will use Psalm 40).

C. The true tabernacle in heaven which was alluded to in 6:19-20 and 8:2 will not be fully developed
until chapter 9.

"high priest" This title for Jesus is only found in Hebrews (cf. 2:17; 3:1; 4:14-15; 5:10; 6:20; 7:26; 8:1,3;
9:11,25). The priestly nature of the Messiah is revealed in Psalm 110 and Zechariah 3 and 4. He is both
priest and sacrifice (cf. Isaiah 53). He stands before God on mankind's behalf and offers Himself as the
solution to the sin problem.

"who has taken His seat" This is the continuing use of Psalm 110 (i.e., v. 2). It refers to the finished work
of Christ. However, it has a royal, not priestly, connotation. No priest ever sat down, only kings (cf. 1:3).

"at the right hand" This is an anthropomorphic phrase for the place of authority and power (cf. 1:3,13;
8:1; 10:12-13; 12:2; Acts 2:33-35).

"of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens" God does not have a physical throne because He is a
spirit. This is an anthropomorphic phrase describing God in human terms and categories. It is a
circumlocutionary or periphrastic way of referring to God without mentioning His name (cf. 12:2).

46 Kaiser, (pp. 366–367).
57