Hebrews 7:20-22 - Exposition

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 Psalms 110:1-7 . 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 8:1-13 ; Hebrews 9:1-28 . The meaning of the word will be considered below)