Hebrews 7:13

13 There is no way of understanding this in terms of the old Levitical priesthood,

Hebrews 7:13 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 7:13

For he of whom these things are spoken
In ( Psalms 110:4 ) and in the type of him Melchizedek, in the preceding verses; for not Melchizedek is here meant, but the Lord Jesus Christ, as appears by what follows; the antitype of Melchizedek, the Lord our righteousness, the Prince of peace, the priest of God, that lives for ever, without father, without mother

pertaineth to another tribe;
the tribe of Judah, and not the tribe of Levi:

of which no man gave attendance at the altar;
either of burnt offering or of incense; that is, no man waited there, or took upon him and exercised the priest's office that was of the tribe of Judah: no man might lawfully do it; Uzziah, indeed, thrust himself into the priest's office, who was of that tribe, and went into the temple and burnt incense upon the altar of incense; but then he had no right to do it, and was punished for it.

Hebrews 7:13 In-Context

11 If the priesthood of Levi and Aaron, which provided the framework for the giving of the law, could really make people perfect, there wouldn't have been need for a new priesthood like that of Melchizedek.
12 But since it didn't get the job done, there was a change of priesthood, which brought with it a radical new kind of law.
13 There is no way of understanding this in terms of the old Levitical priesthood,
14 which is why there is nothing in Jesus' family tree connecting him with that priestly line.
15 But the Melchizedek story provides a perfect analogy: Jesus, a priest like Melchizedek,
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.