For this Malki-Siddiq, king of Salem, priest of Allah Most High, who met Ibrahim returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2to whom also Ibrahim divided a tenth part of all (being first, in meaning, “king of righteousness,” and then also “king of Salem,” which means “king of peace;”[1] 3without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like Ibn Allah), remains a priest continually. 4Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Ibrahim, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the spoils. 5They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the Taurat, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the loins of Ibrahim, 6but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has taken tithes of Ibrahim, and has blessed him who received the promises. 7But without dispute, the lesser person is blessed by the greater. 8In the case of the priests from Levi, men subject to death receive tithes. But in the case of Malki-Siddiq, one receives tithes of whom it is said that he lives. 9So to say, through Ibrahim even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes, 10for he was yet in the loins of his father Ibrahim when Malki-Siddiq met him. 11Now if perfection could be attained through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the shariah of the Taurat), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Malki-Siddiq, and not be called after the order of Harun? 12But since the priesthood is to be changed, there is a change of shariah also needed. 13For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14For it is clear that our Lord has sprung from the tribe of Judah, about which Musa said nothing about priesthood. 15This is even more clear, if after the likeness of Malki-Siddiq there arises another priest, 16who has been made, not through a rule in the shariah about physical descent, but through the power of an endless life: 17for it is declared,
“You are a priest forever, in the order of Malki-Siddiq.“[2]
18One one hand, a previous rule is annulled because of its weakness and uselessness 19(for the Taurat’s shariah made nothing perfect), and on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to Allah. 20Inasmuch as he was not made priest without the taking of an oath 21(for they indeed have been made priests without an oath), but he with an oath by the one says about him,
“Allah has sworn, and will not change his mind,
‘You are a priest forever in the order of Malki-Siddiq‘”.[3]
22By so much has ‘Isa become the guarantee of a better covenant. 23Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered by death from continuing. 24But he, because he lives forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25Therefore he is also able to save completely those who draw near to Allah through him, seeing he lives forever to make intercession for them.
26For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27who does not need, like those high priests, to daily offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For this he did once for all, when he offered up himself. 28For the Taurat’s shariah appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath which came after the Taurat appoints a Son forever who has been perfected.
[1] 7:1-2 See the Taurat, Genesis 14:17-20.
[2] 7:17 Quoting the Zabur 110:4.
[3] 7:21 Quoting the Zabur 110:4.