Another priest had to arise after the order of Melchizedek because the Aaronic/Levitical priesthood was tied to Israel and the law and could not provide a high priest for the whole world.
Under the Mosaic law, only men from the tribe of Levi could serve as priests, and Jesus came from the tribe of Judah, not Levi. Melchizedek, described without genealogy, beginning, or end, appeared before Israel existed as priest of the Most High God, providing the pattern for a priesthood that could cover the whole human race. Christ, made a priest not by a carnal commandment but by the power of an endless life, is therefore high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:11-16 — This passage asks the exact question and explains that the priesthood change required a change of law because Jesus sprang out of Judah, not Levi.
Genesis 14:18 — This is the original appearance of Melchizedek as king of Salem and priest of the most high God, the pattern not tied to Israel's law.
Hebrews 7:11 asks the question directly: "If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?" Hebrews 7:12 gives the immediate answer: "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law." Verse 14 explains why Jesus could not serve under Aaron's order: "For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood." The new priest is described in Hebrews 7:16 as one "made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life." Melchisedec himself is described in Hebrews 7:3 as being "without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually." Genesis 14:18 shows Melchizedek as "king of Salem" and "priest of the most high God" before Israel existed. Hebrews 6:20 then identifies Jesus as "made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."
Les Feldick teaches that the change from Aaron's priesthood to Melchizedek's was necessary because the Aaronic priesthood belonged to Israel's law. He points to Hebrews 7:11-12 and explains that if perfection had come through the Levitical priesthood, no other priest would have been needed. Under the Mosaic system, only men from the tribe of Levi could serve at the altar, but Jesus came from the tribe of Judah, not Levi. So the priesthood—and the law itself—had to change (Clip 1). Les also emphasizes that Melchizedek was a priest of "the Most High God," a title that points especially to the Gentile world. He teaches that there had to be a high priest not just for Israel but for the whole human race. Melchizedek, appearing before Israel was a nation, was that high priest of all. That is why Christ is not a high priest after the order of Aaron but after the order of Melchizedek, and He is high priest of every human being, not of Israel alone (Clips 2, 3, 5, 6). Finally, Les maintains that Melchizedek was God the Son in a theophany—appearing to Abraham in human form—and that the Melchizedek priesthood is an eternal priesthood. Hebrews 7:16 says this priest is made not by a carnal commandment but by the power of an endless life. Because Christ is eternal and without beginning or end, He becomes our High Priest after that order (Clips 0, 4, 7).
Hebrews 7:14 says it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. Les Feldick draws out the implication: under the Mosaic priesthood, no one could be a priest unless he was from the tribe of Levi, and Jesus was not. Since the priesthood was tied to the law, Hebrews 7:12 says the change of priesthood required a change of law.
Les teaches that Melchizedek was the priest of the Most High God, a title that points to the Gentile aspect, and that he served as high priest of all before Israel even existed as a nation. In the Genesis account, Melchizedek was priest of the most high God even though he was not from the tribe of Levi. That is why Christ can be high priest of every human being, not only of Israel.
Hebrews 7:3 describes Melchizedek as without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, abiding a priest continually. Hebrews 7:16 says the priest who arises after his order is made not after the law of a carnal commandment but after the power of an endless life. Les concludes that because Christ is eternal, omnipotent, and without beginning or end, He becomes our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek—and Hebrews 6:20 confirms Jesus is made a high priest forever after that order.
Melchizedek as a Theophany
Les identifies Melchizedek as God the Son appearing in human form to Abraham, establishing the pattern for a priesthood that defines the New Testament understanding of Christ.
The Reason for a Changed Priesthood
Les highlights the biblical question in Hebrews 7:11 and explains that the priesthood had to change because Jesus came from Judah, not from the tribe of Levi.
A High Priest for the Whole World
Les shows that Melchizedek was priest of the Most High God and the high priest of all people, so Christ's priesthood after Melchizedek covers Jews and Gentiles alike.
Melchizedek Before the Law
Les recounts that Melchizedek was a high priest forever before Israel existed, not a priest under the law or from the tribe of Levi, making him a priest of all humanity.
Priest After the Power of Endless Life
Les points to Hebrews 7:16, explaining that the coming priest is made not by a carnal commandment but by the power of an endless life—the order Christ enters.
Christ Is High Priest of Every Human Being
Les teaches that because Melchizedek was not a priest of Israel, Christ's priesthood is not limited to Israel; He is the high priest of every human being.
Not Just High Priest of the Jew
Les connects Christ's Melchizedek-order priesthood to His priestly work for all believers, not only the Jewish people, and links it to entering the heavenly tabernacle.
Forever After the Order of Melchizedek
Les confirms from Hebrews 6:20 that Jesus is made a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, not after the order of Aaron.
Genesis 14:18: And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
Shows the original Melchizedek as both king of Salem and priest of the most high God, before Israel and the Aaronic priesthood existed.
Hebrews 7:3: Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
Describes Melchizedek's eternal, genealogically untraceable priesthood.
Hebrews 7:11: If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
The biblical question that frames the entire discussion.
Hebrews 7:12: For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Explains that the law itself had to change with the priesthood.
Hebrews 7:14: For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Proves Jesus was not from the priestly tribe of Levi.
Hebrews 7:16: Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Describes the basis of the Melchizedek-order priesthood.
Hebrews 6:20: Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Explicitly identifies Jesus as the forever high priest after Melchizedek's order.
Hebrews 7:14 says it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda, a tribe about which Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. Les Feldick explains that under the Mosaic system, no one could be a priest unless he was from the tribe of Levi, and Jesus came from Judah, not Levi. This is why another priestly order was necessary.
No. Les Feldick points out that Melchizedek appeared long before Israel became a nation. He was not a priest under the law and not from the tribe of Levi; he was the priest of the Most High God and a high priest of all, covering the whole spectrum of the human race.
Hebrews 6:20 says, "Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." Hebrews 7 also explains that this priest is made not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Watch the Teaching: Jesus as High Priest: The Order of Melchizedek Explained