Philip Dampier's Blog

“For it is evident that our Lord descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe, Moses said nothing about priests.” The author is stating his premise in a different, but it is the same point. Mose is substituted here as the Law. Moses, via the law, only mentioned one…

“For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.” In other words, the law required that those who served at the altar be of the house of Aaron and the tribe of Levi. Jesus could not…

“For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.” This statement makes little sense if the priesthood is a result of the law but perfect sense if the law is a result of the priesthood. But, isn’t the priesthood described…

“Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron.” The writer now entertains us with…

“…for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.” This is the connection we spoke of between Levi and Melchizedek. Levi paid tithes (in a sense) while still a part of the promise to Abraham. By linking himself to Abraham, Levi links himself to Melchizedek…

“One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham.” The author of Hebrews has one goal at this point. It is to prove that the Melchizedekian priesthood is superior to the one given under the law. As we will see, this has wide implications for…

“In the one case, tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives.” See how our writer blends these two acts of inferiority and superiority. Not only was Abraham blessed by Melchizedek, but Melchizedek received tithes from Abraham,…

“It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior.” The author has a goal in mind, and this statement is foundational to understanding his bottom line. The fact is that the lesser personage does not seek the blessing of the greater personage. This is a widely understood…

“But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.” First, we are told that the Aaronic priesthood received tithes from their Jewish brothers. Then we are told that Melchizedek received tithes from the Jews through Abraham. There…

“And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also descended from Abraham.” Even though the author of our book is focusing on the Aaronic priesthood, he gets to them…