Quaker Bible Index

(Heb 7)

Heb 7 is much cited in a diffuse way; it is often difficult to pinpoint the verses. A common context is protest against tithes.

GFJN 184: ...I showed them out of Hebrews vii, how not only tithes but the priesthood that took tithes was ended, and the law was ended and disannulled by which the priesthood and tithes were made and commanded to be paid.

HPS 61-4, 86f, 92 (petitions from "7000 Handmaids of the Lord", 1659]: Heb 7 cited against tithes.

SBD 43 (1750): [Context: allegories as suitable subject matter for vocal ministry] Another of this kind is in Hebrews 7, touching the priesthood, and office of our Saviour as the high priest of our profession [Heb 3:1] and ministry, from whom we are to receive power for that work.

(Heb 7:1-3)

IP4: 100 (1671): Obs. 12. After what order Christ was made a high priest; which was after the order of Melchizedeck, who was king of righteousness, and king of peace, even after an holy and heavenly order: not after the order of the earthly priesthood, the high priests whereof were taken from amongst men, but after his order who was made mention of; without father, without mother, without descent, (for who can declare his generation? [Isa 53:8]) without beginning of days or end of life, [Heb] 7:1-3, 15.

(Heb 7:1f)

[Other texts citing Heb 7:1f: GF6:334 (under Heb 7:16)]

GF4:33 (1654): If the Lord's oath be performed, which he swear by himself [Heb 6:13], then all oaths were put an end to; if the high-priest Jesus Christ be owned, then all priests are put an end to, which are the true types and figures of him; for he that holds up priests which receive tythes according to the law, doth deny Jesus Christ come in the flesh [2 Jn 1:7]: ... for the receiving tithes was in old time, though Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedeck [Heb 7:1f], who was a figure; when Jesus Christ the everlasting priest [Heb 6:20, 7:21] was come, he put an end to all figures; and you that hold up the figures, deny Christ come in the flesh.

(Heb 7:2)

[Other texts citing Heb 7:2: GF8:62 (under Mat 5:9)]

GF8:48f (1673): such as come to learn of him [Mat 11:29], and to be his disciples and followers, his peace he gives unto them [John 14:27]; who is the King of peace [Heb 7:2], the Prince of peace [Isa 9:6], and of life [Acts 3:15]; and which is such a peace that the world cannot take away from them.

IP3: 335 (1674): when the door is opened at which he knocks [Rev 3:20], he who is the resurrection and the life [John 11:25] enters; the king of righteousness, the king of peace [Heb 7:2], enters; he who is the wisdom and power of God [1 Cor 1:24] enters: and what becomes of the power and goods of the enemy then? Doth he not kill and destroy them?

(Heb 7:3)

GF5:82 (1674): Also: "The Lord swore, and will not repent; thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek." [Heb 7:21] Now was this not the Messiah, who came not after the order of Aaron, which had a beginning of days, and end of life; but He, the Messiah, is a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek, is without beginning of days, or end of life. [Heb 7:3/17f]

HPS 333 (Rebecca Travers, 1669): the wise in heart can see, who have learned in the Light that hath visited us from above [Luke 1:78], what the order of Melchisedeck is, no father, no mother, no beginning of days, nor end of life [Heb 7:3], who lives forever to make intercession for all that comes to God by him [Heb 7:25]....

(Heb 7:4)

GF5:257: [Heb 7:4, see under Gen 14:18-20]

(Heb 7:5)

GF8: 199 (1681): Nay, there is not any thing able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus [Rom 8:38f],’ whom you have chosen: a priest that is from above, not from below, who has offered up himself to God for you [Heb 7:27], who is not like the Jews' priests, that had the tithes of the people [Heb 7:5] for offering up their outward offerings, and such like services.

(Heb 7:9)

GFT 171f (1678): The apostle comes to speak of the Levitical priesthood: Now Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek, which was a tenth of the spoil [Gen 14:18-20]. He said Levi paid tithes in Abraham [Heb 7:9]. What was the man in his wits [saying] here? First was Abraham, then Isaac, then Jacob, then Levi. So Levi was the fourth generation. How came Levi to pay tithes in Abraham? Now the Apostle would place tithes not in Abraham but in Levi that the promise might stand in the Seed, and when he had done, puts Levi out of doors. Therefore, the Levitical priesthood is changed, and therefore, Christ came not of the tribe of Levi, but of Judah [Heb 7:12-14]. Therefore, Levi hath no more right now to take tithes than a little child. The covenant being changed, all is abolished, and by the law of God he had no portion of land lotted to him [Num 18:20-24].

(Heb 7:11-14)

[Other texts citing Heb 7:11-14: GFT 172 (under Heb 7:9)]

GF3: 108 (1659): The first covenant could make nothing perfect, saith the apostle [Heb 7:19]. The matter and the manner of all that pertained to the first priesthood changed [Heb 7:12]: the matter and the manner fell down when the life came in, the second covenant, through which the new and living way was felt, whereby we enter into God, by the blood and life of Jesus Christ, and the offering [Heb 10:19f]; and not by the first priesthood, first covenant, tithes, offerings, and sacrifices. So matter and manner all fell; and Christ came out of another tribe, that is, of Judah [Heb 7:14]. And not after the order of Aaron, but after the order of Melchizedeck [Heb 7:11], and so after another matter.

(Heb 7:11)

[Other texts citing Heb 7:11: GFT 170 (under Heb 1:8)]

GF8:72 (1674): So a royal priesthood [1 Pet 2:9], Christ's church is called, offering up spiritual sacrifices [1 Pet 2:5] to God, who is a spirit [John 4:24]; and this royal priesthood has a high priest, made higher than the heavens [Heb 7:26], to wit, Christ Jesus; and this royal priesthood is not after the order of Aaron [Heb 7:11], whose order was proved by his rod's bearing fruit, laid over night in the tabernacle, and in the morning brought forth fruit [Num 17:1-8]; but your order is proved by your rods' budding, and bringing forth fruit, in the morning of God's day, which are the fruits of the spirit [Gal 5:22]....

GF8:172 (1674): This everlasting gospel [Rev 14:6], the power of God [Rom 1:16], is an unlimited order; and this glorious order of the gospel, the power of God, is beyond the order of Aaron [Heb 7:11], and beyond all the orders of the heathen. And the power of God cannot be limited, though it may limit that which is contrary to it, and out of the truth [John 8:44].

(Heb 7:12)

[Other texts citing Heb 7:12: GF7:36 (under Heb 7:24)]

IP3: 521 (1677): I know tithes were ordained by God, to be paid to the Levitical priesthood, under the law; but the same power that ordained them under the law, disannulled them under the gospel. Heb 7:12 and 18.... Now, that any man or men have true right, power, and authority to set up or require to be paid, under the gospel, what God's power hath disannulled,– indeed, I do not see; nor can I be subject to any human authority or law in this thing, without sinning against God....

(Heb 7:14)

GF6:334: [Heb 7:14, see under Heb 7:16]

(Heb 7:15)

IP4:100 (1671): [Heb 7:15, see under Heb 7:1-3]

(Heb 7:16)

[Other texts citing Heb 7:16: GF4:128 (under Luk 21:34), IP4:279 (Luk 10:16), RBA 258f (Heb 10:1)]

GF6:334 (1685): "Christ was made a priest after the power of an endless life" [Heb 7:16] in the new testament and the new covenant, who came of Judah [Heb 7:14], and is called the lion of the tribe of Judah [Rev 5:5], and not after the order of Aaron, who offered rams, and lambs, and bullocks, and other creatures, but after the order of Melchisadeck, from Melech, a king, and Tsedech, just or righteous, so a just and righteous king [Heb 7:1f].

GF7:30 (1653): And dwell in love [1 Jn 4:16] and unity one with another, and know one another in the power of an endless life [Heb 7:16], which doth not change.

GF7:184 (1660): And the power of an endless life [Heb 7:16] you will feel in Christ, the seed, in whom the words of the prophets and apostles are fulfilled; and therein is unity and love, righteousness and peace, even in him who bruiseth the serpent's head, that feeds upon dust [Gen 3:14f].

JN1:226 (1653): The world's church is without them: carnal lime and stone, and their call is outward (Heb 7:16), a carnal bell and a carnal man speaking the carnal letter to carnal minds, for carnal money and carnal ends.

IP2:252 (1661): Quest. How doth God heal and bind up that which he hath wounded and broken to pieces by his various exercises? Ans. By opening the power of the endless life [Heb 7:16] in the vessel which he hath thoroughly purified and prepared, and filling it with the power.

IP3:92 (1668): The gospel is a ministration of the Spirit and power of the endless life [Heb 7:16]; and it consists not in receiving words, but in receiving the Spirit from which the good words and precious knowledge comes.

TEM 61f (Thomas Loe, 1661): When I heard that thou was called into this trial, with the servants of the Most High [Dan 3:26], to give thy testimony to the truth of what we have believed, it came into my heart to write unto thee, and to greet thee with the embraces of the power of an endless life [Heb 7:16], where our faith stands, and unity is felt with the saints for ever.

WPR 596 (WPT 395, 1694): [George Fox] was received only in that Spirit and power of Christ as the first and chief elder in this age; who, as he was therefore worthy of double honour [1 Tim 5:17], so for the same reason is was given by the faithful of this day, because his authority was inward and not outward, and that he got it and kept it by the love of God and power of an endless life [Heb 7:16].

(Heb 7:17f)

GF5:82 (1674): [Heb 7:17f, see under Heb 7:3]

(Heb 7:18)

IP3:521 (1677): [Heb 7:18, see under Heb 7:12]

(Heb 7:19)

[Other texts citing Heb 7:19: GF3:108 (Heb 7:11-14), IP2:50 (Heb 9:12-14), RBA 197 (Jas 2:17-20), EQ 178 (Mar 7:8)]

GFJN 367: But I let them see how Adam and Eve were perfect before they fell ... ; and how that the law made nothing perfect but was for the bringing in of the better hope [Heb 7:19], which hope is Christ who destroys the devil and his works [Heb 2:14/1 Jn 3:8] that made man and woman imperfect.

JN2:192 (1655): ...this is to confess Christ came in the flesh [1 Jn 4:2], the just man on earth that doth good and sins not [Eccl 7:20], who is greater than Solomon [Mat 12:42].... and to him Solomon confessed, though the law made not perfect [Heb 7:19], yet he doth all that come to him, and so presents them to the Father [Col 1:28].

IP2:25 (1660): the whole law (the ten words, as well as the sacrifices) was representations, figures, or shadows, of somewhat relating to Christ, the seed; subservient to the promise [Gal 3:21], not making perfect, but pointing to, and making way for, the bringing in of the better hope [Heb 7:19] ... towards which they were to lead their scholar, or disciple, as school-master [Gal 3:24].

(Heb 7:21)

[Other texts citing Heb 7:21: GF4:33 (under Heb 7:1f), GF5:82 (Heb 7:3)]

(Heb 7:24)

[Other texts citing Heb 7:24: GF7:36 (under Heb 10:33f), GF7:55 (Rev 21:22), IP1:362 (Rev 19:15)]

GF7:36 (1653): So with the light, which Christ Jesus hath given us, with it we come to witness him, the unchangeable priest [Heb 7:24], and see the change of the first priesthood, and the change of the law also [Heb 7:12], by which the priest received the tithes; as ye may read Heb. vii.... And all ye that would have us to give priests' tithes, and would compel us so to do, ye are they that do oppose Christ's doctrine and commands to his disciples, "Freely ye have received, freely give" [Mat 10:8]; and do not own the unchangeable priest's being come to teach his people....

JN2: 268f (Richard Salle, 1655): ...and now the witnesses being slain [Rev 11:7] you are at ease and can uphold the idols' temple [1 Cor 8:10] and the idols' shepherds [Zech 11:17] and changeable priests [Heb 7:24]; but my light which is eternal you are turned from....

(Heb 7:24f)

IP4:100 (1671): Obs. 15. That the work of Christ's priesthood continueth until it be finished; that is, till this high priest hath saved all whom he is to save, which is thus: as in all ages the Father draweth souls to him, so he is to save them; to destroy their enemies, to blot out their sins, to break down what stands between God and them, and so to bring them into the true oneness; for God will never be reconciled to his enemy, the devil, nor to man while in union with him, [Heb] 7:24-25.

(Heb 7:25)

[Other texts citing Heb 7:25: GF8:85 (under Rev 12:11), HPS 333 (Heb 7:3, Luk 1:78), HPS 382 (Rev 3:7)]

GF3:103 (1659): And Christ saith, "No man cometh to the Father but by me;" [John 14:6] and he is able to save to the utmost [Heb 7:25].

JN2:102 (1655): thou says I belie your doctrine because I deny that faith which cannot believe salvation from sin to the uttermost [Heb 7:25], or that says they have Christ and have not power.

WTG 105 (Susanna Morris, 1753): My heart is yet helped but yet find a weak part in the creature, fitter for pity than praise, if not blame at times. And also find help from one that is mighty even to help to the uttermost [Heb 7:25] all that truly seek for help oftener than the morning light, sometimes by sigh or groaning in words that are not uttered [Rom 8:26].

(Heb 7:26)

GF often uses phrase "the high priest made higher than the heavens" [Heb 7:26]

[Other texts citing Heb 7:26: GF5:265 (Heb 9:12), GF8:72 (Heb 7:11), MFU 268 (John 1:29)]

GF5:335 (1676): [quotes Heb 7:26] Now this is the priest and prophet which is over God's house, and becomes it; and all true christians that hear his voice, are his house; so the true christian's high priest is holy, harmless; he will do none hurt, but good; he is undefiled, for he leads out of defilement; he is separate from sinners, for no guile nor sin is found in his mouth [1 Pet 2:22]; he is made higher than the heavens, and higher than Aaron's priesthood, and higher than all the priesthoods made at schools; and "he remains in the heavens, until all things be restored [Acts 3:21G]," and he is restoring by his light, spirit, and power up unto himself: and they that are restored "sits in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" [Eph 2:6].

GF8:50 (1673): and so the heavenly priest, made higher than the heavens, who is holy, harmless, separate from sinners [Heb 7:26], breaks the peace [Mat 10:34] of the earthly priests, and of all them that are made lower than the heavens, (mischieful,) that are not separate from sinners, nor from sin, but hold up sinners, and prop them up, and plead for sin term of life....

(Heb 7:26f)

GF6: 64 (1679): So Christ in his new covenant and testament, the priest made higher than the heavens [Heb 7:26], in offering up himself once for the sins of the whole world [Heb 7:27/1Jn 2:2], is not according to the Jews' high priests, and their offerings, but doth put an end to them all, and abolisheth them all, and establisheth his new testament in the spirit, and new covenant of light, life, and grace.

(Heb 7:27)

[Other texts citing Heb 7:27: GF7:55 (under Rev 21:22), GF8:199 (Heb 7:5), IP3:342 (1 Pet 2:24)]

(Heb 7:27f)

IP4: 100f (1671): Obs. 16. That this high priest needeth not to offer many sacrifices to atone by, as the priests under the law needed to do often; for he was a perfect priest, and offered up one perfect, spotless sacrifice; and is a propitiation for the sins of the whole world, [Heb] 7:27-28. [1 Jn 2:2]

(Heb 8:2)

[Other texts citing Heb 8:2: IP3:124 (Luk 16:26), HPS 410f (Heb 5:6), WTG 64 (Mat 23:25f)]

GF6: 245 (1683): So we are come to our own sanctuary Christ Jesus, which God hath pitched, and not man [Heb 8:2], which sanctuary is a safe place, in whom we have all peace, life, and salvation.

MFU 220 (1657): My dear lamb ... and babe of the immortal seed [1 Pet 1:23 GBT] & of the royal priesthood: [1 Pet 2:9] and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord hath pitched and not man [Heb 8:2]....

IP4:407 (1670): The Lord hath pitched his pure, living tent [Heb 8:2], and begun to build up his beloved city; the Lord hath indeed had mercy upon Zion [Psa 102:13], and favoured the ruins and desolation thereof. But the malice and rage of the enemy is great, who seeketh to compass the tend of the holy and the beloved city, that he may lay waste and destroy the heritage of God.

(Heb 8:3)

IP4:101 (1671): What hath [Christ] to offer; for every high priest was ordained to offer both gifts and sacrifices [Heb 8:3]. He hath the heavenly gifts and sacrifices to offer; even all the gifts and spiritual sacrifices that are revived and brought forth by him in the holy place, even in his temple or spiritual house within the veil; he is to offer them all up to his father, [Heb 8:3], &c.

(Heb 8:5)

GF often uses phrase "types, figures, and shadows." Shadow: Heb 8:5, 10:1, Col 2:17; figure: Heb 9:9, 9:24, 11:19, 1 Pet 3:21. See DGA 105f for discussion of the typology of Hebrews and its importance for Fox.

JWJM 258 (17–): Some I expect will be careful for such poor people abroad who earn their bread in preparing and trading in those things which we, as true disciples living in plainness like our Heavenly Pattern [Heb 8:5], should have no use for.

JWJM 264 (17–): It is through a deviation from the Pure Light that people desire help from the spirit of this world [1 Cor 2:12] in pushing forward their children in learning, that they may save out of their education to support ways of life less plain and simple than what our Holy Pattern [Heb 8:5] has laid down for us.

(Heb 8:6)

IP2:37 (1660): Against Christ's coming God provideth a new covenant, a better covenant for him to be Mediator of [Heb 8:6]; which covenant was not outward, like the former, but inward, put in the mind, writ in the heart [Heb 8:10].... And this covenant, as it is only written in the Spirit, and in that which is spiritual, so it cannot be read in the letter.

(Heb 8:9)

[Other texts citing Heb 8:9: GF4:66f (under Heb 8:13)]

IP4:151 (1671): The new covenant is that covenant which God makes with the soul, when he takes it by the hand to lead it out of Egypt inward [Jer 31:32, Heb 8:9], which is the land of darkness [Exo 10:20f] and pollution.

(Heb 8:10)

[Other texts citing Heb 8:10: IP2:37 (under Heb 8:6)]

WPR 211f (1668; WPT 3): ...whilst I take a serious prospect of the spiritual nature and tendency of the second covenant, ... methinks I do not only see an utter abolishment of ceremonial worship; but the inscribing that spiritual law upon the heart [Jer 31:33, Heb 8:10], and infusion of holy fear to the inward parts [Jer 32:40], whereby each person became capacitated to know so much of God as suited with his present state, from an infallible demonstration in himself, and not on the slender grounds of men's lo-here-interpretations, or lo-there; for the Kingdom of God is within [Luke 17:21], where he himself must be the teacher of his people....

(Heb 8:10f)

GF4:262 (1660): Did the prophets, Christ, and apostles, do well in saying, the children of the Lord should be taught of the Lord [Isa 54:13]; and the kingdom of heaven was within people [Luke 17:21]; and the word was within them, and the anointing was within them, to teach them [1 Jn 2:27]; and the law was to be put into their hearts, and their minds, that they need not say to one another, Know the Lord [Heb 8:10f, Jer 31:33f]: and the light that shined in their hearts, was to give them the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Christ [2 Cor 4:6]; and they that had not the spirit of Christ, were none of his [Rom 8:9]. And have not you done ill, who have denied this, that says, that ye, nor no one else hath the same spirit and power as the prophets and apostles had, neither shall the things before mentioned be looked for in our days?

JN1:280 (1654): Saith God, [quotes Heb 8:10f, John 6:45]. Saith antichrist, your law is the letter without and not in the heart, neither shall any know God or his will but by this rule without in the letter, of which I am a teacher, and by my meanings and expositions of it you shall come to know all that is to be known of God and his will in this world, for the immediate teachings of God are ceased.... and all that deny it, or to be ordered by it, are heretics, and are not to be suffered to live in the world.

JN2:58 (1655): thou tells of Scripture being the bridle that checks lust; but thou that knows nothing nearer than the letter to bridle and check lust, thou knows not the law of the new covenant written in the heart [Heb 8:10f] nor the spirit of Christ that reproves the world of sin [John 16:8], but without book, without bridle, and it's no strange thing that such should plead for a being for sin whilst they live...; and how that bridle thou tells of has kept thee and many more it is evident by your practice.

(Heb 8:11)

[Other texts citing Heb 8:11: JN1:516 (1655) (under Heb 5:12)]

MFU 131 (1655): ... he is an enemy to God and to his truth; and he labours by all means to disappoint the living God of his end and of his promise, who hath promised that he will teach his people himself and hath said that they shall not say, know the Lord, but they shall all know him from the least to the greatest [Heb 8:11, Jer 31:34].

RBA 72 (1678, III:4): ... in the case of deaf people, children, and idiots, who can by no means have the benefit of Scripture ... we cannot suppose them without some rule and means of knowledge; seeing it is expressly affirmed, "They shall all be taught of God" (John 6:45). "And they shall all know me from the the least to the greatest" (Heb 8:11).

(Heb 8:12)

WPR 640 (1699?): Mercy is a great part of God's law, Exod. 23:4,5. It is a material part of God's true fast, Isa 58:6. It is a main part of God's covenant, Jer 31:34, Heb 8:12.

(Heb 8:13)

GF4: 66f (1656): Now such Gentiles that walk after the vanity of their minds [Eph 4:17], are strangers yet from the glory of Israel, and the commonwealth and life of God [Eph 2:12], and the covenant of light; but God is gathering with his covenant of light up to himself both Jews and Gentiles in one: I say his everlasting covenant, not according to the old covenant which he gave to your fathers, when they were brought up out of the land Egypt [Heb 8:9], which did decay and wax old, for this covenant never doth decay or wax old [Heb 8:13] ... for they that are in the light, are from the will of the Gentiles turned [1 Pet 4:3], and their lordship to Christ the Lord, [mark] and so the Gentiles are no more aliens but citizens, and co-heirs, joint-heirs [Eph 2:19], who believe in the light, in the covenant. So you that hold up that which doth decay, stand against the prince of life [Acts 2:15]....

IP2:37 (1660): ...wherever this new covenant cometh, the other waxeth old [Heb 8:13], whether to a person or people. Wherever the law of the Spirit of life [Rom 8:2] is made manifest, the law of the letter is swallowed up in it, and is known no more but as it is comprehended, and is brought forth in it.