Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 7:20

"And inasmuch as [it is] not without the taking of an oath" — Hebrews 7:20 (ASV)

The oath declares the purpose of God in an absolute fashion. It allows of no qualification on account of human weakness or sinfulness or anything else. So the writer contrasts the priesthood that has the security of the divine oath to that which lacked it. Christ is contrasted with the Levitical priests, and the importance of the oath is stressed. It was not simply that an oath was sworn at the same time as he was made priest but that the oath was the very essence of what was done. That is the point of the argument. Psalms 110 is quoted once more, this time beginning a little earlier to include the reference to the swearing of the oath and the assurance that the Lord will not change his mind. The new priesthood is permanent. There is no question of its ever being done away.