The Meaning of Hebrews 7:17 Explained

Hebrews 7:17

KJV: For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

YLT: for He doth testify -- 'Thou art a priest -- to the age, according to the order of Melchisedek;'

Darby: For it is borne witness, Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedec.

ASV: for it is witnessed of him, Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  he testifieth,  Thou  [art] a priest  for  ever  after  the order  of Melchisedec. 

What does Hebrews 7:17 Mean?

Context Summary

Hebrews 7:11-28 - Our Ever-Living And All-Sufficient Intercessor
If, as we saw in our last reading, the Levitical priests have been superseded, clearly the whole order of things-that is, the Mosaic covenant under which these priests were appointed-has been superseded also. The law of the carnal-that is, the outward ritual-has passed away in favor of a new dispensation which deals with the heart and character. It served a temporary purpose, but we are living in an eternal order which is steadfast and abiding.
Our Lord's priesthood is unchangeable and indissoluble. His blood and righteousness, His mediation for us, His loving understanding of us, will be a joy and comfort in the unending ages. We shall always be specially associated with Him-the brethren of the King, the sheep of the Divine Shepherd. Each priest of Aaron's line had to vacate his office; but our Lord's priesthood will never pass to another; and therefore to the uttermost lapse of time and to the farthest demand of circumstance, He will save and help all that come to Him. No infirmity weakens Him, no stain or sin unfits Him-above the heavens and from the throne He exercises His ministry. [source]

Chapter Summary: Hebrews 7

1  Christ Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek;
11  and so far more excellent than the priests of Aaron's order

Greek Commentary for Hebrews 7:17

It is witnessed [μαρτυρειται]
Present passive indicative of μαρτυρεω — martureō The author aptly quotes again Psalm 110:4. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Hebrews 7:17

Hebrews 11:2 The elders obtained a good report [ἐμαρτυρηθήσαν οἱ πρεσβύτεροι]
The elders for the more common the fathers: the saints of the O.T. dispensation, many of whose names are recorded in this chapter. Εμαρτυρηθήσαν , lit. were borne witness to. God bore witness to them in the victory of their faith over all obstacles, and their characters and deeds as men of faith were recorded in Scripture. For this use of ματυρεῖν in the passive, see Acts 6:3; Acts 10:22; Acts 16:12; Romans 3:21; Hebrews 7:8, Hebrews 7:17. Notice that the statement in this verse does not begin the list of examples, which commences with Hebrews 11:4, but is closely attached to the definition in Hebrews 11:1as a comprehensive justification of it. [source]

What do the individual words in Hebrews 7:17 mean?

It is testified for - You [are] a priest to the age according to the order of Melchizedek
μαρτυρεῖται γὰρ ὅτι Σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισέδεκ

μαρτυρεῖται  It  is  testified 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: μαρτυρέω  
Sense: to be a witness, to bear witness, i.e. to affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something, or that he knows it because taught by divine revelation or inspiration.
ὅτι  - 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
Σὺ  You  [are] 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ἱερεὺς  a  priest 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἱερεύς  
Sense: a priest, one who offers sacrifices and in general in busied with sacred rites.
αἰῶνα  age 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: αἰών  
Sense: for ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity.
κατὰ  according  to 
Parse: Preposition
Root: κατά 
Sense: down from, through out.
τάξιν  order 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: τάξις  
Sense: an arranging, arrangement.
Μελχισέδεκ  of  Melchizedek 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Μελχισέδεκ  
Sense: the king of Salem and priest of the most high God, who lived in the days of Abraham.