And none of this happened without an oath.This phrase emphasizes the significance of the divine oath in establishing Jesus' priesthood. In biblical context, an oath is a solemn promise made by God, underscoring the unchangeable nature of His will. The reference here is to
Psalm 110:4, where God swears an oath that the Messiah will be a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. This contrasts with the Levitical priesthood, which was established by the Law without an oath. The use of an oath highlights the superiority and permanence of Christ's priesthood, as God's promises are irrevocable and eternal.
For others became priests without an oath,
This phrase refers to the Levitical priests who were appointed based on lineage and the Law of Moses, not by a divine oath. The Levitical priesthood was hereditary, passed down through the tribe of Levi, specifically the descendants of Aaron. This system was temporary and imperfect, as it required continual sacrifices and was subject to human mortality and sin. The absence of an oath in their appointment signifies the provisional nature of their priesthood. In contrast, Jesus' priesthood, confirmed by God's oath, is eternal and perfect, fulfilling the prophetic anticipation of a new and better covenant.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MelchizedekA priest-king of Salem who is a type of Christ, representing a priesthood that is eternal and superior to the Levitical priesthood.
2.
Levitical PriesthoodThe priesthood established under the Law of Moses, where priests were appointed based on lineage rather than an oath.
3.
Jesus ChristThe ultimate High Priest, whose priesthood is established by God's oath, signifying its eternal and unchangeable nature.
4.
God's OathA solemn promise made by God, emphasizing the certainty and permanence of Jesus' priesthood.
5.
HebrewsThe recipients of the letter, likely Jewish Christians who were familiar with the Old Testament and the Levitical priesthood.
Teaching Points
The Significance of God's OathGod's oath underscores the certainty and permanence of Jesus' priesthood, contrasting it with the temporary and hereditary nature of the Levitical priesthood.
The Superiority of Christ's PriesthoodJesus' priesthood is superior because it is based on God's unchangeable promise, offering believers a secure and eternal intercession.
The Assurance of SalvationBelievers can have confidence in their salvation because it is secured by Jesus, whose priesthood is guaranteed by God's oath.
The Fulfillment of ProphecyJesus' priesthood fulfills Old Testament prophecy, demonstrating the continuity and reliability of God's redemptive plan.
Living in Light of Christ's PriesthoodAs believers, we are called to live with the assurance and hope that comes from knowing our High Priest intercedes for us eternally.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Hebrews 7:20?
2.How does Hebrews 7:20 emphasize the importance of God's oath in priesthood?
3.Why is God's oath significant for understanding Jesus' eternal priesthood in Hebrews 7:20?
4.How does Hebrews 7:20 connect to Psalm 110:4 regarding priesthood?
5.What practical implications does Jesus' priesthood have for our daily faith journey?
6.How can we apply the assurance of God's oath in our spiritual lives?
7.How does Hebrews 7:20 emphasize the importance of oaths in the priesthood of Jesus?
8.Why is the oath significant in establishing Jesus as a superior priest in Hebrews 7:20?
9.What historical context supports the use of oaths in Hebrews 7:20?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 7?
11.In Hebrews 5:5, where is the historical evidence for God directly declaring Jesus as priest in a manner consistent with Israel’s established priesthood?
12.How does the notion of an eternal priesthood 'without beginning of days or end of life' (Hebrews 7:3) align with other biblical texts that emphasize human lineage and mortality for priests?
13.Is the law of Moses useful? Yes. All scripture is... profitable... (2 Timothy 3:16) No. . . . A former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness... (Hebrews 7:18)
14.Why does Hebrews 7 establish a priesthood 'in the order of Melchizedek' (Hebrews 7:17), which appears to undermine the Levitical priesthood mandated in the Old Testament?What Does Hebrews 7:20 Mean
And none of this happened without an oathThe writer points back to Jesus’ appointment as High Priest. Scripture insists that God Himself ratified that appointment with a sworn promise: “The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek’” (Psalm 110:4).
• An oath from God is His unbreakable guarantee (Hebrews 6:16-18).
• Because the oath comes from the unchanging Lord, the priesthood it secures can never be revoked (Hebrews 7:21).
• That oath anchors the “better hope through which we draw near to God” (Hebrews 7:19), tying Christ’s priestly work directly to the believer’s daily access to the Father.
• The same sworn word undergirds the “better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises” (Hebrews 8:6).
For others became priests without an oathBy contrast, every Levitical priest entered office merely because he belonged to Aaron’s lineage (Exodus 28:1;Numbers 3:10). No divine oath ever accompanied their installation.
• Their ministry rested on ancestry, not on an irrevocable promise from God (Hebrews 7:11).
• Death kept them from continuing in office, so Israel needed “many priests” (Hebrews 7:23).
• Their sacrifices could “never take away sins” (Hebrews 10:11); the system itself anticipated something greater.
• Without an oath they served under a provisional arrangement that pointed beyond itself to the sworn, eternal priesthood of Christ (Hebrews 9:8-10).
summaryHebrews 7:20 spotlights the decisive difference between Jesus and every priest who preceded Him. Levitical priests came and went without an oath; Jesus was installed by God’s own sworn word. That oath makes His priesthood permanent, His covenant superior, and our salvation absolutely secure.
(20) This and the next two verses constitute one sentence, the third verse answering to the first, and
Hebrews 7:21 being parenthetical. Hitherto no reference has been made to the remarkable opening of
Psalm 110:4, so often quoted: these three verses are occupied with the thought of the oath--or rather (for a very uncommon word is used, one that answers well to the importance of the thought) the "swearing of an oath." This is a further illustration of the words of
Hebrews 7:15, "a different priest."
He was made priest.--Some supplement is needed to give clearness to the English sentence; but one of general meaning, such as "all this was done," will best answer the purpose.
Verses 20-22. -
And inasmuch as not without an oath [properly,
swearing of an oath,
ὁρκωμοσίας]
he was made priest: (for they indeed have been made priests without an oath; but he with an oath by him that saith unto him, Thou art a Priest for ever);
by so much of a better covenant hath Jesus become surety. The significance of the Divine oath, in connection with the promise to Abraham, has been dwelt on above: the oath of
Psalm 110. is here similarly referred to, as imitating a priesthood that rests on no mere temporary ordinance, but on the immutable Divine counsels. (Observe the first occurrence here of the word
διαθήκη, introducing in the way of hint (as is usual in the Epistle) an idea to be afterwards expanded, as it is in
Hebrews 8. and 9. The meaning of the word will be considered below.)
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
AndΚαὶ(Kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.noneοὐ(ou)Adverb
Strong's 3756:No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.of thisὅσον(hoson)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3745:How much, how great, how many, as great as, as much. By reduplication from hos; as As.[happened] withoutχωρὶς(chōris)Preposition
Strong's 5565:Apart from, separately from; without. Adverb from chora; at a space, i.e. Separately or apart from.an oath.ὁρκωμοσίας(horkōmosias)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3728:The taking of an oath, an oath. From a compound of horkos and a derivative of omnuo; asseveration on oath.Forγὰρ(gar)Conjunction
Strong's 1063:For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.[others]οἱ(hoi)Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.becameγεγονότες(gegonotes)Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1096:A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.priestsἱερεῖς(hiereis)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2409:A priest, one who offers sacrifice to a god (in Jewish and pagan religions; of Christians only met.). From hieros; a priest.withoutχωρὶς(chōris)Preposition
Strong's 5565:Apart from, separately from; without. Adverb from chora; at a space, i.e. Separately or apart from.an oath,ὁρκωμοσίας(horkōmosias)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3728:The taking of an oath, an oath. From a compound of horkos and a derivative of omnuo; asseveration on oath.
Links
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NT Letters: Hebrews 7:20 Inasmuch as he was not made priest (Heb. He. Hb) 
