The author of Hebrews uses the figure of Melchizedek from Genesis 14 to teach us something about Jesus. In doing so, he uses some exciting language that is easy to take in a way that is contrary to the author's meaning. Let us get to the bottom of it!
First, the episode from Genesis. Abraham had just defeated an alliance of city-kings who had taken his nephew Lot as prisoner. In doing so, he rescued the people and assets of other kings who had been attacked. At this point, the King of Salem meets with Abram, and they have this interaction:
Notice a few things. First, we are led to believe Melchizedek is a real man. In reading the whole chapter, he appears to be even an ally of or priest for the King of Sodom. Second, we aren't given much information about him, though, no genealogy, no period of reign, neither his father's nor his sons' names are listed (much like the other nine kings in the chapter). Third, we are told that he is indeed a priest of God Most High, and it appears that he is a faithful and monolatrous priest. Hold onto all this.
Now The Epistle to the Hebrews. After arguing that Jesus is greater than angels (chapters 1 and 2), that Jesus is greater than Moses (chp 3), greater than Joshua (chp 4), the author introduces an argument that the office of Jesus' priesthood is greater than the office of Aaron, because Jesus is priest "after the order of Melchizedek," quoting Psalm 110.
Contrast this: Aaron, "called by God," could only approach God once a year, and only after cleansing himself with blood. Jesus, also "appointed by God," remains at God's right hand, interceding for us to God always. Because of his perfect obedience, and his death and resurrection, he will live forever with an "indestructible life."
Now in the midst of all this, the author of Hebrews says this about Melchizedek:
As we have seen from the original account in Genesis, Melchizedek was a real man in history, priest of God and King of Salem (which probably was renamed Jerusalem). The author of Hebrews is creatively using what was not written about him (his genealogy, birth, death, or the end of his priesthood) to compare him to the now-immortal Jesus.
Did this author really believe Melchizedek exists forever? I don't think so; otherwise, we should have heard a lot more about him in the scriptures. Remember, we in the spirit of the Bereans ought to be able to prove everything that New Testament authors say by the standard of the Old Testament Scriptures, which are the only scriptures those Bereans had. But we do know that Jesus, who is not Melchizedek, whose father and mother and birth and death we know, will now exist forever as the exalted, immortal high priest and king next to God Most High.
In short, Aaron, Melchizedek, and Jesus are three real, historical men who were appointed by God to be priests. Aaron served on earth as a priest only, Melchizedek and Jesus as both priests and kings, and Jesus serves now in the heavens, interceding for us to God.
First, the episode from Genesis. Abraham had just defeated an alliance of city-kings who had taken his nephew Lot as prisoner. In doing so, he rescued the people and assets of other kings who had been attacked. At this point, the King of Salem meets with Abram, and they have this interaction:
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said,As priest, Melchizedek (which in Hebrew means 'King of Peace') intercedes to YHWH, God Most High, for a blessing on Abram. Abram then gives a tenth of the spoil to the priest as a thank you to YHWH. And that is all we have of Melchizedek.
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
and blessed be God Most High,
who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”
And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. [Genesis 14:18-20]
Notice a few things. First, we are led to believe Melchizedek is a real man. In reading the whole chapter, he appears to be even an ally of or priest for the King of Sodom. Second, we aren't given much information about him, though, no genealogy, no period of reign, neither his father's nor his sons' names are listed (much like the other nine kings in the chapter). Third, we are told that he is indeed a priest of God Most High, and it appears that he is a faithful and monolatrous priest. Hold onto all this.
Now The Epistle to the Hebrews. After arguing that Jesus is greater than angels (chapters 1 and 2), that Jesus is greater than Moses (chp 3), greater than Joshua (chp 4), the author introduces an argument that the office of Jesus' priesthood is greater than the office of Aaron, because Jesus is priest "after the order of Melchizedek," quoting Psalm 110.
Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. [Hebrews 5:8-10]To understand this epistle, we must take note of what a priest is and what weakened Aaron's priesthood. A priest, simply, is one who goes to God on your behalf. The priest under Aaron approached God on behalf of Israel, both for judgment and for reconciliation. The priests of Aaron's order, however, were not perfect in obedience. "He is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people." Jesus, on the other hand was "made perfect" after his obedient suffering, and now sits within the true, heavenly Holy of Holies, as our "anchor within the veil."
Contrast this: Aaron, "called by God," could only approach God once a year, and only after cleansing himself with blood. Jesus, also "appointed by God," remains at God's right hand, interceding for us to God always. Because of his perfect obedience, and his death and resurrection, he will live forever with an "indestructible life."
Now in the midst of all this, the author of Hebrews says this about Melchizedek:
He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! [Hebrews 7:2-4]Melchizedek is "King of Righteousness," just like Jesus. He is also "King of Peace," another fitting title for Jesus. But what of this "without father or mother, etc.?" Let this be clear: the author is comparing Jesus to Melchizedek, not claiming that the one is a re-incarnation of the other. He "resembles" the Son of God (verse 3), and later in the same chapter, Jesus is said to be "in the likeness of Melchizedek" (verse 15). It is always assumed that Jesus is not actually Melchizedek. But we still have that "without genealogy" business...
As we have seen from the original account in Genesis, Melchizedek was a real man in history, priest of God and King of Salem (which probably was renamed Jerusalem). The author of Hebrews is creatively using what was not written about him (his genealogy, birth, death, or the end of his priesthood) to compare him to the now-immortal Jesus.
Did this author really believe Melchizedek exists forever? I don't think so; otherwise, we should have heard a lot more about him in the scriptures. Remember, we in the spirit of the Bereans ought to be able to prove everything that New Testament authors say by the standard of the Old Testament Scriptures, which are the only scriptures those Bereans had. But we do know that Jesus, who is not Melchizedek, whose father and mother and birth and death we know, will now exist forever as the exalted, immortal high priest and king next to God Most High.
In short, Aaron, Melchizedek, and Jesus are three real, historical men who were appointed by God to be priests. Aaron served on earth as a priest only, Melchizedek and Jesus as both priests and kings, and Jesus serves now in the heavens, interceding for us to God.
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