but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The contrast here isn't just about whether an oath was involved, but who swore it. Levitical priests were appointed without God's oath, but Jesus's priesthood is confirmed by the Lord Himself swearing, a divine promise that will never be changed, highlighting the unique and eternal nature of His role.
but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is contrasting Jesus's eternal priesthood with the temporary Levitical priesthood. While Aaron's line became priests through simple succession, Jesus's priesthood is divinely established with an unbreakable oath from God Himself, referencing Psalm 110. This divine pledge ensures Jesus's priestly role is permanent and unchangeable, offering a profound security that the previous system couldn't provide.
Why would God need to swear an oath to establish a priesthood? What does God's oath reveal about the permanence and power of Jesus' priestly role?
The Levitical priests were appointed through human lineage and ceremony, with no divine oath securing their office. Their priesthood was temporary and destined to fade.
But Jesus’ priesthood is fundamentally different. God Himself declared it through an oath, a declaration found in the Psalms: 'The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’’ This oath, spoken by God the Father, underscores the immutability and eternal nature of Christ’s priesthood. It’s not just a human appointment or a temporary role; it's a divine decree, sealed with God’s own unbreakable promise.
This oath signifies that Jesus’ priesthood is final and perfect, never to be replaced. It provides a solid foundation for our faith, assuring us that our High Priest’s work is complete and everlasting.
The verse states God 'will not change his mind.' What does this unwavering resolve mean for the priesthood of Jesus and its impact on us?
The phrase 'will not change his mind' (or 'will not repent') is crucial. It points to God's absolute faithfulness and immutability. Unlike human decisions that can be regretted or altered, God's pronouncements, especially those sealed by an oath, are final and unalterable.
This means Jesus’ eternal priesthood is not subject to revision or cancellation. God swore that Jesus would be a priest forever, and His character guarantees that this promise will stand. This divine constancy is a source of immense comfort and security for believers.
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It highlights that our access to God through Christ is not based on shifting circumstances or human performance, but on the steadfast, eternal decree of the Almighty.
Understand the original words
hiereus · Greek Noun
A religious official authorized to perform sacred rites, especially the offering of sacrifices, acting as a mediator between God and humanity.
horkos · Greek Noun
A solemn appeal to God, or a declaration made in His name, to attest to the truth or binding nature of a promise or statement. God's oath signifies the absolute immutability and certainty of His purpose.
The contrast between the temporary, oath-less Levitical priesthood and the eternal, divinely sworn priesthood of Christ highlights the absolute finality and unchangeable nature of Jesus' sacrifice and mediation. The historical end of the Temple and Levitical system makes this distinction even more profound.
c. 1400 BC
Institution of the Levitical Priesthood
God establishes the Levitical priesthood through Aaron and his descendants, a system centered around animal sacrifices and temple rituals. This priesthood was inherited by lineage and did not require a divine oath for its institution.
c. 1000 BC
Psalm 110 is Written
The Psalmist David pens Psalm 110, which includes a prophetic declaration from God the Father to God the Son, stating, 'The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.' This psalm foretells a priesthood superior to the Levitical order.
c. 70 AD
Destruction of the Second Temple
The Roman army destroys the Second Temple in Jerusalem, along with the city itself. This catastrophic event effectively ends the sacrificial system and the Levitical priesthood as ordained by the Law of Moses.
Early 1st Century AD— this verse
Jesus Christ's Ministry and Ascension
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lives, teaches, dies, and is resurrected. After his ascension, he is established as the High Priest forever, fulfilling the prophecy of Psalm 110 and instituting a new covenant.
This is the direct Old Testament passage quoted in Hebrews, revealing the divine oath that establishes Jesus' eternal priesthood, giving it a unique and unchangeable character.
Hebrews 6:17This verse, also from Hebrews, explains the significance of God's oath in providing 'unshakeable encouragement' to believers, directly linking to the oath mentioned in our verse that secures Christ's priesthood.
Genesis 14:18-20This passage introduces Melchizedek, the 'order' of whose priesthood Jesus is established in, highlighting a significant, pre-Mosaic priesthood blessed by God and showing its ancient, authoritative roots.
1 Samuel 13:13-14This shows King Saul acting presumptuously by offering a sacrifice without proper authorization, contrasting with Jesus' divinely appointed and oath-confirmed priesthood, which he performs according to God's perfect will.
bengelHebrews 7:21: "(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)"
Hebrews 7:21 . Διὰ τοῦ λέγοντος πρὸς αὐτὸν , by Him that said to Him ) On other occasions, he who receives the office swears; here, He who conferred the priesthood swore. There is nothing about this oath in Moses, but in the psalm. See how great authority belongs even to the Psalms! Hebrews…
jfbHebrews 7:21: "(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)"
- Translate in the Greek order, "For they indeed (the existing legal priests) without the (solemn) promise on oath (so the Greek [Tittmann]) are made priests."by him—God.unto him—the Lord, the Son of God (Ps 110:1).not repent—never change His purpose.after the order of Melchisedec—omitted…
The contrast here isn't just about whether an oath was involved, but who swore it. Levitical priests were appointed without God's oath, but Jesus's priesthood is confirmed by the Lord Himself swearing, a divine promise that will never be changed, highlighting the unique and eternal nature of His role.
The author is contrasting Jesus's eternal priesthood with the temporary Levitical priesthood. While Aaron's line became priests through simple succession, Jesus's priesthood is divinely established with an unbreakable oath from God Himself, referencing Psalm 110. This divine pledge ensures Jesus's priestly role is permanent and unchangeable, offering a profound security that the previous system couldn't provide.
The author is contrasting Jesus's eternal priesthood with the temporary Levitical priesthood. While Aaron's line became priests through simple succession, Jesus's priesthood is divinely established with an unbreakable oath from God Himself, referencing Psalm 110. This divine pledge ensures Jesus's priestly role is permanent and unchangeable, offering a profound security that the previous system couldn't provide.
"but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:
“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
‘You are a priest forever.’”" — The contrast here isn't just about *whether* an oath was involved, but *who* swore it. Levitical priests were appointed without God's oath, but Jesus's priesthood is confirmed by the Lord Himself swe…
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Last reviewed October 2026