Hebrews 7–13

Like Hebrews 1–6, these chapters emphasize Jesus Christ’s preeminent role in the plan of salvation. The chapters address the superiority of the Savior’s priesthood, atoning sacrifice, and ministry. Paul taught that the ancient tabernacle, ordinances of the law of Moses, and animal sacrifices point to Jesus Christ and His Atonement. To encourage the Saints to remain faithful, Paul included examples of men and women who demonstrated great faith. He also taught that God is the Father of our spirits and chastens us so we can become holy. Paul gave counsel on marriage relationships and sustaining those called to lead.

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Background and Context

Hebrews 7:1–2

Who was Melchizedek?

Melchizedek was a great high priest, prophet, and king in the Old Testament. He lived during the time of the prophet Abraham. He was referred to as “the king of Salem … , king of peace, king of righteousness … , and priest of the most high God.” Melchizedek also received tithes from Abraham. In a revelation given to Joseph Smith, the Lord revealed that Melchizedek conferred the priesthood upon Abraham.

Hebrews 7:3

Was Melchizedek immortal and without parents?

The Prophet Joseph Smith clarified that the descriptions of immortality and being without parents do not apply to Melchizedek himself. It is the Melchizedek Priesthood that is “without father [and] without mother.” Joseph Smith also taught that it is the Melchizedek Priesthood that “existed with God from eternity, and will to eternity, without beginning of days or end of years.”

Hebrews 7:20–21

What does it mean that the Melchizedek Priesthood is conferred with an oath?

“The Melchizedek Priesthood is the higher or greater priesthood.” Paul explained that the Aaronic Priesthood is conferred without an oath, but the Melchizedek Priesthood is conferred with an oath. Elder Dale G. Renlund taught: “To each man who receives the Melchizedek Priesthood, God affirms His covenant promises with an oath. This oath pertains only to the Melchizedek Priesthood, and it is God who swears the oath, not the priesthood holder. Because this unique situation involves His divine power and authority, God uses an oath, employing the most forceful language He can, to assure us of the binding and irreversible nature of His promises.”

Restoration scripture teaches that the Aaronic Priesthood is “an appendage to the greater, or the Melchizedek Priesthood.” The Lord revealed that “all those who receive the [Melchizedek] priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of [Heavenly] Father.” Through the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood, Jesus Christ makes the blessings of exaltation possible to God’s children.

Hebrews 9

What did the high priest do on the Day of Atonement?

The tabernacle was a portable temple that ancient Israel used until they built Solomon’s temple. The tabernacle was a portable temple that ancient Israel used until they built Solomon’s temple. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the high priest passed through the veil of the temple and entered the Most Holy Place, also called the Holy of Holies, which represented the presence of God.

an image depicting where the rooms of the tabernacle were located

Before entering the Holy of Holies, the priest performed some animal sacrifices. He sprinkled the animals’ blood in special places in the Holy of Holies as a sin offering to atone for the sins of Israel. He then symbolically transferred the sins of the people to a male goat, called the scapegoat. This goat was sent into the wilderness. Finally, the priest offered the burnt offerings of two rams, again for himself and his people. These sacrifices and ceremonies on the Day of Atonement were intended to symbolize and foreshadow the Savior’s Atonement.

Hebrews 9–10

How was Jesus Christ’s offering different from other high priests’ offerings?

The ancient high priests offered goats or lambs as a sacrifice; the Lamb of God voluntarily offered Himself as a sacrifice. The high priests offered sacrifices every year on the Day of Atonement; Jesus Christ made His sacrifice only once. Jesus was both our High Priest in making the offering and the very offering itself. The ancient high priests entered the Holy of Holies on earth and sprinkled the goat’s blood on the mercy seat for Israel’s sins. Because of His atoning sacrifice, Jesus Christ as Mediator enters the sanctuary of heaven before Heavenly Father on behalf of all those who repent.

President Russell M. Nelson taught that “[Jesus Christ’s] Atonement is infinite—without an end. It was also infinite in that all humankind would be saved from never-ending death. It was infinite in terms of His immense suffering. It was infinite in time, putting an end to the preceding prototype of animal sacrifice. It was infinite in scope—it was to be done once for all.”

Hebrews 10:19–20

How is the veil of the temple symbolic of Jesus Christ?

The veil of the temple represents the “separation between God and man.” Anciently, the high priest passed through the veil on the Day of Atonement (see “Hebrews 9. What did the high priest do on the Day of Atonement?”). This symbolized entering the presence of God. Paul taught that the veil represents the flesh of Jesus Christ. It is through Christ’s sacrifice that we are able to enter into God’s presence.

Just as the veil of the temple gave the high priest access to the Holy of Holies, the Atonement of Jesus Christ gives us access to God’s presence.

Hebrews 12:2

What shame did Jesus Christ endure to become the author and finisher of our faith?

One scholar wrote, “Crucifixion was a cruel and painful form of execution employed in antiquity, and in the culture of the New Testament world it was a shameful and humiliating way to die.” Some early Christians seemed to struggle with the idea that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died in such a shameful way. Moreover, pagans criticized and mocked Christians for worshipping a God who died by crucifixion. Paul explained that Jesus Christ endured the shame of the Crucifixion to become the author and finisher of our faith.

Paul also taught that the Savior endured the shame of the cross “for the sake of … joy.” President Russell M. Nelson taught: “Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar, ‘who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross’ [Hebrews 12:2]. Think of that! In order for Him to endure the most excruciating experience ever endured on earth, our Savior focused on joy!

“And what was the joy that was set before Him? Surely it included the joy of cleansing, healing, and strengthening us; the joy of paying for the sins of all who would repent; the joy of making it possible for you and me to return home—clean and worthy—to live with our Heavenly Parents and families.”

Hebrews 12:5

What does chastening mean?

The Greek word paideia is translated as “chastening” in the King James Version of the Bible and “discipline” in other translations. Paideia means “training, nurture of children, rearing, education.” The underlying idea is “the whole training and education of children … instruction which aims at the increase of virtue.”

Hebrews 12:22–23

What are Mount Zion and the Church of the Firstborn?

The reference to fire, tempest, and a trumpet in Hebrews 12:18–19 is an allusion to God’s presence on Mount Sinai when God introduced the law of Moses. This awe-inspiring experience was preliminary. Believers are to look to another mountain, Mount Zion, for greater glory. In the book of Hebrews, Mount Zion refers to the heavenly city of God. In this city reside “the general assembly and church of the firstborn.”

Speaking of the Church of the Firstborn, Jesus Christ declared, “I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn; and all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the church of the Firstborn.” Those who receive the glory of the Firstborn enjoy a “fulness of the Father.” This fulness is the promise “of eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom; which glory is that of the church of the Firstborn, even of God, the holiest of all, through Jesus Christ his Son.”

Hebrews 12:29

How is God a consuming fire?

A scholar wrote: “To ancient Israel, one of the important aspects of God was His ability to display His power through the manifestation of burning light. Indeed, Israel stood in awe of the display of a brilliance like a devouring inferno on the top of Sinai (see Exodus 24:17). Moses proclaimed, ‘The Lord thy God is a consuming fire’ (Deuteronomy 4:24).” This manifestation of God’s presence and power evokes “reverence and awe.”

The Prophet Joseph Smith expanded the meaning of this consuming fire as follows: “God Almighty himself dwells in eternal fire; flesh and blood cannot go there, for all corruption is devoured by the fire. Our God is a consuming fire. When our flesh is quickened by the Spirit, there will be no blood in the tabernacle. Some dwell in higher glory than others. … Immortality dwells in everlasting burnings.”

Learn More

Christ as the Great High Priest

David Rolph Seely and Jo Ann H. Seely, “Sacrifice: In Similitude of the Savior” (digital-only article), Liahona, Sept. 2022, Gospel Library
Jeffrey R. Holland, “An High Priest of Good Things to Come,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 36–38