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Hebrews 7:1-6
Hebrews 7:1-6
1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 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. 4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: 6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
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1. Michael Cruz
For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; (7:1)
"priest of the most high God," The first verse in chapter seven is a historical narrative. In Genesis 14:18, we are told Melchizedek was king of Salem. We also know he was a "priest of the most high God," as this middle section of verse one is taken directly from the verse in Genesis. The last part of this verse introduces the meeting of Melchizedek and Abraham and gives the circumstances surrounding it. Genesis 14:17 describes the same scene: Abraham's return from the victory against the kings of the wicked cities, Sodom and Gommorah, and his meeting with and blessing by Melchizedek.
To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; (7:2)
"To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all;" The first part of verse two is also taken from the Genesis account. This time from Genesis 14:20.
"first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace." In the next part of verse two we get to the meat of this section. It is interesting to note it is to this mysterious king of Salem that Abraham gives a tenth of everything. Some of the reasons for this will take shape further into the chapter. Nevertheless, we learn from the author's pointing out from Genesis 14:20 that Melchizedek's name means "king of righteousness." If we did not know about this verse but yet were spiritually minded, we could easily establish that Christ is the "king of righteous," for He was certainly a king and there is none righteous save one (Luke 18:19). The same holds true for the meaning of "Salem," which is "king of peace," for we have all heard Him called the "prince of peace." It is also interesting to note that the New Geneva Study Bible, in commenting on this section of Genesis, makes the claim that Salem is apparently the ancient name for Jerusalem. This would further enhance the position that this type points clearly to Christ.
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. (7:3)
"...but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually." We have no information about Melchizedek other than the passage in Genesis, the prophetic mention of him in Psalms, and what we find here in Hebrews. We do not know where he came from, nor what happened to him after the eventful meeting with Abraham. Melchizedek is shrouded in mystery, but from the information the Hebrew's author gives us, we can see he is a type and picture of Christ in the Old Testament. Like Christ, he has no beginning and no end to his ministry - earthly speaking - but he was appointed by God to do the work of a high priest. Just as Jacob later wrestled with a man and was blessed by him (Genesis 32:24-26), we see there was a similar previous meeting for Abraham that included a blessing by a type of Christ.
To my knowledge Melchizedek is the only one in scripture who holds the unique titles of priest and king. David was prophet and king and, of course, only Christ was prophet, priest, and king. Melchizedek is given the unique combination to give credence to his position as a type of Christ, yet he is not given the remaining title of prophet, for all three titles are reserved for our Lord and Savior alone.
Now consider how great this man [was], unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. (7:4)
Melchizedek reflects, in some sense, all that upon which God's covenants are based. Abraham, the recipient of God's covenantal promise, saw fit to give Melchizedek a tenth of everything that he plundered in battle. This mere shadow of Christ in the Old Testament was not paid that much attention by the other writer's of Old Testament scripture. Yet the purpose of Melchizedek was foundational to the bringing in of the New Covenant in Christ's blood through the foreshadowing of Christ's ministry as high priest.
And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: (7:5)
"And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of priesthood...." Verse five gives us the framework of the Levitical priesthood. The Levites were the appointed family of priestly types and essentially the "cream of the crop" of the Israelites. There are several things which we might pay attention to in looking at the Levites:
1) They were the ruling class of the Hebrews. Moses and Aaron were descendents of Levi. And it was through these two that God chose to lead the chosen children out of Egypt.
2) All communication from God came through Moses and from the beginning Aaron and his sons were put in charge of priestly functions (Exodus 39, Leviticus 8).
3) After the episode where the Hebrews worshiped the golden calf, it was the Levites who were appointed to hew down the offenders with the sword.
4) It is also interesting to note that they were to be the purest of the lot. A Levite was not to marry a divorced woman or a woman who had been defiled by prostitution, but he was to marry a virgin (Levitcus 21:13). He was not to make himself unclean by touching the dead, and he was not to cut his beard. In other words, they were to be the holiest of the all of the Hebrew tribes.
5) It is also interesting to note when the Israelites were numbered, the Levites were excluded from the census (Numbers 1:47-50).
But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. (7:6)
"But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham," Another aspect of the Levitical priesthood is that
6) the tithe of the Israelites income went to the Levites (Numbers 18:25).
They were in charge of the purse strings of the Hebrew nation. This brings us to the item mentioned in verse six where we see that Melchizedek was not from the house of Levi, yet he collected a tithe from Abraham. Levi, Moses and Aaron were not yet born when one not in the Levitical priesthood collected the first tithe. Verse six sheds more light on verse three of this chapter. Melchizedek was not in, but before, the Levitical family; nor was he in the line of Abraham, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham. I find it so refreshing to learn that God uses mightily the ones He chooses, but He never gives them the basis for having a monopoly on the tasks for which He chooses them. Because He knows fallen man will always seek his own will rather than God's, He makes sure they will never have an opportunity to glory in their own works. Just as God allowed Moses to see the promised land yet not enter into it (Deuteronomy 34:4), God does not give the Levites a corner on the priesthood. They were merely there to point the way to the one who brings everlasting salvation to those of us who believe through His once and for all sacrifice for our sins.Michael Cruz
a_la_cruz@technologist.com[ Top of Page]
2. Freddy Butler
This particular chapter has always been intriguing for me. Who is this Melchisedec? How is he a type of Christ? These are two of the questions I have asked concerning this fellow. Instead of doing a verse by verse commentary and exposition, I would like to concentrate on this mysterious character and the role he plays in being a picture of our Lord and His work.
Historically, we first encounter this gentleman, as Hebrews 7:1 says, after Abraham and his men were returning from the slaughter of a gang of Kings. These kings had made a union to wage war with another group of kings and their city states. The first kings were quite successful in their campaigns and eventually swept through the areas of Sodom and Gomorrah and were victorious in conquering the two cities, scattering the population, and plundering the wealth. It was during this battle that Lot, Abram's nephew, was taken captive. Abram was moved to marshal a confederacy and he, with 318 of his trained servants, chased after the marauding horde of kings. When they caught up to them, Abram and his small army soundly defeated the vandal kings and rescued Lot. It was after this battle that Melchisedec came out to Abram and ministered to him.
Hebrews 7:1 calls him two titles: king of righteousness and king of Salem, or peace. Also, verse 3 continues by saying he was without father, mother, and descent, having neither beginning of days or end of life. Many scholars have claimed this makes reference to a pre-incarnate Christ; a theophany or christophany. They also go as far as suggesting this is the institution of the Lord's Supper, because Melchisedec brought Abram bread and wine. Hebrews 7:4 makes it clear that he was just a man--a righteous, typological man, but a man. In fact, with the extended essay found in Hebrews, it would seem only logical and appropriate for the writer to point this out if our king was a christophany. Such a pre-incarnate appearance would be significant for the argument being made in Hebrews, but it is totally neglected. The point of verse 3 was to emphasize his lack of genealogy, to show his parentage and heritage was irrelevant to his priesthood (we will look at that in a moment).
The second canidate for the idenity of Melchisedec is Shem, Noah's son. Assuming there are no gaps in the historical record of Genesis (and I do), Shem would still be alive during Abram's life, and in actuality, he outlived him by 35 years. It is quite possible Shem moved to Jerusalem, or around that area, after the Babylon dispersion, and was known throughout the ancient world as one of the last great antedilluvian patriarchs. Henry Morris, in his outstanding commentary on Genesis, makes a passioned argument for Shem being Melchisedec. The problem with the possible solution is Hebrews 7:3 telling us there is no parental or personal lineage. Shem's is well known in Genesis 10, I Chronicles 1, and Luke 3.
My personal pick for Melchisedec's identity is Job. He would have lived during, or before, Abraham, in the vicinity of Palestine. It could have been that, after the events recorded in Job passed, he moved to Jerusalem. No genealogy is mentioned with Job. His story begins simply by saying, "there was a man in the land of Uz..." His parents are not named, nor is his birth given. The last verse of Job 42 says he lived 140 years more from the point of his ordeal and then he died. No time reference is given, or sons listed to set an exact time frame for his life. Job 42:12 also says God blessed his latter days more than his beginning days, and his reputation among the city states of the Mediterranean, as well as among God-fearing men like Abram, as a king of righteousness, may have been a fruit of that blessing. An interesting chapter to consider is Ezekiel 14, where the prophet names three men who are righteous; Noah, Daniel, and Job (Eze.14:14,20). If any man deserves to be called king of righteousness it is Job, who suffered horrific trials, yet never once cursed God. His perseverance through his circumstances is testimony to God's saving faith in a man's life.
With all speculation aside, Hebrews is not in the least concerned with naming this man of righteousness; he is used merely as a picture of Christ's priesthood. But why is that? First, and foremost, Melchisedec is associated with Abraham, the recipient of the covenant of faith and promise. The Levitical priests are associated with the Mosaic covenant of law and wrath. Melchisedec is a superior priesthood because he was the priest that ministered to Abraham, the father of all who believe in faith. Christ came to set us free from the law and bring us under his law; the law of faith and a fulfilled promise. That is the significance of Melchisedec having no lineage. The whole of the Levitical priesthood depended on who was related to whom: Levi. If a man was not of Levi's house, he had no right to minister. Melchisedec had no lineage, yet he ministered anyway, serving Abraham and his men. Also, there is importance within his name: The king of righteousness and peace. Christ came to be our righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21), and to impart his righteousness to us. He came to be our king of Salem, or peace, in that he made peace between wicked sinful men, and a wrathful God angry at sin. He became our propitiation, our wrath bearing sacrifice to make that peace, so God and man could walk together. Lastly, Melchisedec was better than the Levitical priest because he was blessing them, when he blessed their federal head, so to speak, Abraham. Christ, in like manner, blessed them, as well as all who would believe in faith because he is a priest after the order of Melchisedec, a priest of the covenant of faith and promise.
Freddy Butler
butler@gty.org[ Top of Page]
3. Jim McClarty
Howdy. I went a few verse past the prescribed section, but it seemed to all go together. Besides, the overlapped verses might make it easier on me next week! Cool, eh? Think of it as planning ahead. :-)
Have fun.
INTRODUCTION:
Among the notable historic figures with whom any practicing Hebrew would be familiar, Melchizedek is certainly the most mysterious. The forefather of the Hebrews, Abraham, had one single encounter with him, but it was an encounter which established the "everlasting priesthood" of Jesus.
Melchizedek arrives on the stage of Jewish history immediately after God's first mention of the Abrahamic promise, but before the covenant act which we've been reviewing the past few weeks. Back in Genesis 12, God called Abram to leave his country, his kindred, his father's house, and his land, and walk until God said to quit.
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (Gen 12:2-3)
Being 75 years old and childless, Abram took his nephew Lot and his wife Sarai and all their substance and indentured people, and journeyed to Canaan. "And, the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land; and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him" (Gen.127).
Due to famine, Abram journeyed down into Egypt. While he was there, Pharaoh added to Abram's bounty "sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels" (v.16). When Pharaoh ordered Abram to leave, all those riches went with him (v.20). In Genesis13:2 we find that Abram "was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold." He journeyed back to where he had pitched his tents, in Canaan between Beth-el and Hai.
Meanwhile, Lot had amassed quite a fortune himself. "And the land was not able to bear them that they might dwell together; for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together" (v.6). So, they decided to split up. Lot chose the plain of Jordan because it was well watered. Abram remained in Canaan. However, in choosing the more favorable land, Lot gained neighbors who were "wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly" (v.13). They were the infamous residents of Sodom and Gomorrah.
And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. (Gen.13:14-17)
As is the way with people and kings, wars broke out in the surrounding territories. One particular battle engaged the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, with three compatriot rulers, against five kings banded together, but the kings of Jordan were overthrown and the wealth of Sodom and Gomorrah was taken as spoil. As well, Lot was among the men who were captured and taken, along with all his wealth and goods. One lone escapee found Abram and told him the sorrowful news.
Abram, however, was not a man to be trifled with. He had in his household 318 armed, trained servants (14:14). He descended on the enemy camp near Dan at night, killing and pursuing the armies all the way to Hobah. In the end, Abram returned with all the wealth which had been stolen and all the wealth of the armies he destroyed. He returned with Lot, all his goods, the women, and all the people.
As this mass of humanity and goods came near Jordan, the king of Sodom led the rest of the kings out to meet Abram at the valley of Shaveh. There, they were met by an imposing presence...
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. (Gen.14:18-20)
And, that's it. That's the entire story of Melchizedek, four sentences, more or less, but every phrase is jam-packed with meaning and symbol. Pay attention to the details:
1) He arrived carrying bread and wine.
2) He was a priest of the most high God.
3) He was the King of Salem.
4) He blessed Abram, using language which was a blessing from God.
5) He praised the most high God for giving Abram the victory.
6) Abram gave Melchizedek tithes, or tenths, of everything he had.We'll return to these points as we look at the passage in Hebrews - which is, in fact, a commentary on this passage from Genesis. But, we need to cover a couple more points.
After these events, the king of Sodom offered to give Abram all the goods from the victory if he would just return the people. Abram refused, saying he had vowed to the Lord that he would not take so much as a shoelatchet. That way the king of Sodom could never boast that he'd made Abram rich. Abram wanted everyone to realize that his wealth had come from God, alone.
Now the chronology of events which followed this meeting is very important. The Lord appeared to Abram in a vision, saying, "Fear not, Abram, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward" (15:1). Abram responded by asking, for the first time, how it was that he would have such great progeny when he was childless and his entire fortune would go to his steward, Eliezer of Damascus.
And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, "This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir." And he brought him forth abroad, and said, "Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be." And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. (Gen 15:4-6)
It is that very belief, counted for righteousness, which would earn Abram the moniker "father of the faithful."
Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And, the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed, so then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. (Gal.3:6-9)
So the gospel of the coming Messiah, and salvation through faith, was preached to Abram! It was wrapped intrinsically into the promises which God swore to Abram on the veracity of God's own self. It was formed into a covenant when God walked through the parted animals with Himself. But - and, here's the point I'm driving at - when did all of this take place?
The promise was made back in Chapter 12; it was repeated and added to, but Abram did not savingly believe and have the faith which was accounted as righteousness until he had both heard the promise and had an encounter with this king/priest Melchizedek.
It was not sufficient to merely hear the promise. He had to be blessed by God through the intermediary agency of one who knew God and could speak for God, the one with the wine and bread. Then, and only then, do we find the language of faith.
The very next thing that happened was that Abram asked for an assurance, "whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?" (15:8), and that began the killing of animals and the answer that spanned the history of the nation of Israel.
But first there was this priestly king.
The next reference to Mel shows up in Psalms 110. It's a great Messianic Psalm. Jesus says that David was speaking by the Spirit of God when he penned the first verse, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool" (Mat.22:43). That's pretty high vindication! So, I'm inclined to say that the entire Psalm was God-breathed. The 3rd verse is a favorite of theologians defending irresistible grace, "Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power...."
But, in the 4th verse, this very mysterious declaration is made, "The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."
That's a remarkable declaration. You see, in between Abram and David, Moses had led the children of Israel out of Egypt and received the Law of God at Mt. Sinai. God instructed Moses that Aaron, his brother, was to fill the office of High Priest, and his descendants, alone, would continue in that estate. The tribe of the Levites were set aside for service in the Tabernacle and received no land inheritance in Canaan as a result. So the temple of God was only to be served by the Order of the Levites, and the high priests had to be of the Order of Aaron.
But David has announced a new order - the order of Melchizedek. Plus, the Messiah would be a priest forever as a part of this new and separate order. After all, Jesus wasn't born a Levite; He was of the tribe of Judah. That would have barred Him from serving as a priest, unless, of course, there was another, higher, priestly order.
Okay, that was all introduction. We can finally get to the Hebrews verses.
COMMENTARY:
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. (6:20)
That should be familiar. It's straight out of Psalm 110. With that as a basis, the author begins his own commentary on Melchisedec and his connection to Christ.
For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him, (7:1)
This is an introductory statement, recounting the details we're familiar with. But I want to point out the same extraordinary fact the author has honed in on: Melchisedec was both a priest and a king. No other figure in the Bible is referred to as holding both offices at once...except Christ, of course.
God established three offices through which He dealt with Israel: prophets, priests, and kings. No man ever held all three offices. But, this Melchisedec was a forerunner of Christ, complete with "last supper" elements - bread and wine - which would make him a prophet. So, he was truly prophet, priest and king. But, no one in Scripture is said to hold all three of those titles....except, once again, Christ.
And he was crowned the "king of Salem." That's an English translation of the word "shalom," the Hebrew word for "peace." According to the Nelson Bible Dictionary, the name Jerusalem means
possession of peace--sacred city and well-known capital of Palestine during Bible times. The earliest known name for Jerusalem was Urushalem. Salem, of which Melchizedek was king, was a natural abbreviation for Jerusalem and probably referred to the city. Thus, Jerusalem appears in the Bible as early as the time of Abraham, although the city had probably been inhabited for centuries before that time. (Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary.Copyright 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Thus, Melchizedek was the king of Jerusalem. He was a forerunner of Christ, the true King of Jerusalem, crowned at His triumphal entry before the crucifixion. But, on the eternal scale, Christ is the king of the New Jerusalem of Rev.21:2, which comes down out of Heaven.
The author is going to pains to make sure we notice the parallels.
To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also, King of Salem, which is, King of peace: (7:2)
The author interprets Melchizedek's name for us - King of Righteousness. Now there's a title for you! Only one person in Scripture can attain to that title. If all men are born sinners after Adam's fall, then only one who is not of Adam's heritage could truly be called King of Righteousness.
And, as we just noted, as King of Salem, he is the ruler who establishes peace. Isaiah saw such a man when he prophesied,
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. (Is.9:6)
Think about this. Abram was powerful, victorious, wealthy, and superior to all the other kings. He defeated the kings who had defeated the kings. Yet Abram worshipped this King of Salem, he gave a tenth part of everything, an admission that the King of Salem was superior to all the kings. Before he returned the substance and people to their rightful rulers, he gave a tenth part of everything to Melchizedek, and the other kings didn't seem to object. His superiority must have been axiomatic, self-evident. He was the King of kings.
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. (7:3)
One of the primary characteristics of Scripture is the preponderance of genealogies. So-and-so begat so-and-so, who begat some other guys, etc. etc. If you were anyone at all in Israel, you could trace your genealogy back to your forefathers. That was very important. After all, God proportioned the land of Canaan to the tribes and every Jubilee year the land reverted back to the original owners God had designated. So if you wanted to keep your inheritance, you had to be able to recite your lineage. And to be a king - especially such a notable king - your pedigree would be an absolute requirement.
But, not Mel. Isn't that odd? According to the Hebrews author, he had no known mother or father. He had no order of descent to give him credibility. But, even more astounding, he is said to have neither an earthly beginning or end, neither being born nor dying, and the author draws the direct correlation here: "but made like unto the Son of God." That's about as direct as you can get. This was an eternal priest/king who had no earthly parents and had never died. The only person who could be his equal is the very Son of God.
As such, his priesthood has never ended. That's important, because in order for a man to be a priest he had to be part of a continuing order. If Aaron's descendants had died out, there would have been no more high priests. But the other, higher order of priests, belonging to the order of Melchizedek, didn't have generations of descendants because the originator never died.
Sounds strange, eh? But, that's the author's argument.
Now consider how great this man was...(7:4a)
Yes, lets!!!!
unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. (7:4b)
In the Mosaic economy, as I mentioned before, the Levites were given no land inheritance; instead, they lived off the tabernacle. They ate the sacrifices and they received tenths, or tithes, from all the remaining tribes. They also received first fruit offerings, sin offerings, freewill offerings, and every other source of income which was not burned or destroyed. In order to guarantee that the Levites would always have sufficient means to live and continue to serve, God imposed the mandatory tithes on the Israelites.
But Abram met Melchizedek hundreds of years before Sinai. Abram had yet to sire Isaac, who would father Jacob, who would father Levi, the progenitor of the tribe of Levi. In fact, the fathers of all twelve tribes were yet "in the loins" of Abram.
Nevertheless, this priestly king took the tenths of everything accumulated by all these kings, and he took it at the hand of Abram.
And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham; (7:5)
Though each tribe of Israel could trace their lineage back to Abraham, the one tribe was given the command to take the offerings of the other eleven. God elected Israel as his special "peculiar" people, and even within that elect group he elected those who would serve before Him on behalf of their brethren, and he chose to support them wholly and completely at the expense of mandatory sacrifice and portional giving.
But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. (7:6)
The author reiterates this amazing fact. Though he wasn't a Levite and the Levites didn't yet exist as an earthly tribe, Melchizedek was bold enough, and considered himself worthy enough, to take the tithe offering which would later be designated as "Holy unto the Lord" (Lev.27:30).
And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. (7:7)
It's without argument. It's a plain and simple fact. The superior person blesses the lesser person. That was a known article of Biblical behavior. The author's point is obvious, then. As great as Abraham was, and as mighty as the kings of Jordan were, Melchizedek was superior to them all. The "father of the faithful," the forefather of all the tribes of Israel, the progenitor through whom the "promised seed" would spring, recognized that there was one clearly superior to himself.
Still, given these amazing facts about this exceedingly great and wonderful person, why is history so stiflingly silent about him? Why do both the scriptures and secular history books know so little of someone who was superior to Abram, of whom we know plenty?
Perhaps it's because he wasn't here long enough to have a history. Perhaps he arrived to bless Abram - the purpose of his visit - and institute the faithful heritage of Christ. Just perhaps.
And here men that die receive tithes, but there he receiveth them of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. (7:8)
Oh, well here's the crux of the whole tithing issue. By the law of Moses the Levites received tithes of their fellow countrymen and brethren, though they, themselves, were fallible sinners who died in succession, one after the other. That was part of their inheritance and service before God. But back there at the valley of Shaveh, Melchizedek received them, giving evidence of his priesthood and superiority.
But, notice closely the contrast! The Levites died. The Hebrews' author contends that Melchizedek continues to live! And, there's evidence to that fact! It is "witnessed that he liveth"! This may be in reference to David's Psalm which the author referenced back in verse 3. But, whatever his proof, he clearly declares that, in stark contrast to the Levites who died, the priestly king never died....he "abideth a priest continually." (!!!)
And, as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. (7:9)
There's the proof that the priesthood of Melchizedek is in every way superior to the Mosaic Levitical priesthood. Levi, in his forefather's loins, paid the tithes to Melchizedek, acquiescing to the higher stature of the eternal king/priest.
In fact, all the nation of Israel was in Abraham's loins. The first child had not yet been born. Yet, the superior to them all blessed their father prior to the nation being conceived. Then the miraculous lineage began.
Whew!
CONCLUSION:
Okay, let's say it plainly. Melchizedek is a Christophany. He is a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. In simpler language, Jesus appeared on the stage of history prior to his incarnation as a flesh and blood man. It's not a completely uncommon occurrence either. However, no other Old Testament appearance of Christ is explained, exegeted, and declared as completely and obviously as is Melchizedek in Hebrews. To view these verses any other way is to ignore the carefully constructed argument of the author.
Now, let's say it's true. Let's, for a moment, agree that Melchizedek, the King of Righteousness, the King of Peace, the King of Kings, the Eternal Priest, the recipient of the tithes of Israel, the one with the bread and wine, the one without father, mother or descent, the one with neither beginning of days or end of life, the one "made like unto the Son of God" actually IS Christ, Himself. What are the implications of such an appearance?
Glad you asked, because this is where it really gets good.
Remember how God wanted to swear to Abraham that the promises would be made good, and He could find nothing greater than Himself by which to swear the oath? Likewise, Christ could only be a High Priest after an order which He, Himself, instituted and to which only He could attain.
Plus, He instituted the eternal priesthood before Israel was established. Hence, His priesthood was not done away with when the law was done away with.
Plus, Israel as a nation began with a miracle - the impossible birth of Isaac. That miracle happened after Abram met Christ and was blessed of Him. Think about that - Jesus blessed the nation of Israel and was the miracle working power behind their existence.
Plus, the faith of Abraham was inspired by Christ. It was after the blessing that Abraham is said to have believed, becoming the example of everyone who would be saved by faith apart from the works of the law. Christ instituted salvation by faith, even way back at Abram. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith;" (Heb.12:2). The word "our" is in italics in that verse. It was added by the translators. The truth of the verse is that wherever you find faith, past, presen, or future, Jesus is the author who created it and the finisher who completed it. That would have to include Abram.
Plus, as I've mentioned a couple of times, He brought Abram wine and bread, the very elements by which we remember the New Testament of His shed blood. Christ preached in symbol the need of His death in order to atone for the sins of those who had faith in Him.
And, really, that's the point. Christ has always been actively involved in His creation. He started the whole thing, and it will wrap up with resounding praise to Him, alone. He instituted every facet of His ministry, from the mode of worship to the means of salvation. He established His own priesthood and indwelt His own church. He brought down the law at Mt. Sinai, and He purchased the freedom of His elect at Mt. Calvary. He took flesh and became the perfect man, humble and obedient, and He has risen to the heights of Heaven to sit on His throne, judging fleshly men for their arrogance and pride.
So, really, His appearance as Melchizedek, the King of Righteousness, isn't all that surprising. It's how He's always been and will continue be...
...THE ALL AND IN ALL.
Jim McClarty
McClartyfam@juno.com[ Top of Page]
4. Donald Blind
Hebrews 6:20 quotes from Psalm 110, A Psalm of David:
The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
It is important to set forth the whole Psalm at Hebrews 7:1, because this Melchisedec met Abraham on His way back from defending Lot after His abduction. By the decrees of The Most High God, whom we know to be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in Hebrew; EL ELYON, who owned heaven and earth, because He by His sovereign decree, and for His glory, created them. Glory basically means to make a statement; in this instant for God to set forth how He was going to redeem the world.
Lot was caught up in a battle between Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, a suzerian over the vassal kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. The story is conveyed in Genesis 14, where we are also told of Abraham's encounter with Melchisedec. Psalm 110 is all about the Son of God as is set forth in Luke 21:
And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son? And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son? (Luke 21:41-43)
The promises of Psalm 110 began to unfold with Abraham, one thousand years before the inspired David wrote it. Verses 5-7 zero in on the battle and future encounters on up to the final enemy, death and Satan. That He would drink and lift up the head meant that the peace and refreshment were always there, but that He would continually be on guard to Protect and do battle.
Now enters one who shows us that God has His people all over. Melchisedec had been already continually serving EL ELYON, in the place God would later use as His temple, Mount Zion, a symbol of the city of the Living God, the New Jerusalem. As King of Righteousness, he displayed the rightness of Abraham. Abraham gave him the tithe, the rest he refused to take, and gave it back to the king of Sodom, because he would only have EL ELYON enrich him, as he was a stranger and a pilgrim in the earth, Isaiah making note of it in 51:
Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. (Isaiah 51:1,2)
Melchisedec as King of Peace prefigured Christ as The Prince of Peace. Abraham, knowing full well that God had and was to bless him, went to the battle with assurance that it was the right thing to do, and received the blessing from the King of Peace, affirming once again God's promises to him. This Priest of God had no genealogy as the people of Israel, who had to maintain their generations from the circumcised Abraham, the place of the Seed that was to come, even our Lord Jesus Christ, The true King of Righteousness, Salem and Peace, because the man himself was made like unto the Son of God. The man Melchisedec could be presented then as a priest that abides continually.
This Priest, whose decent is not counted according to Abraham, from whom came the Levitical priesthood, to whom the tithes were to be paid, received tithes from the one who had THE PROMISES OF GOD, he who was the first Hebrew and the father of us all (Romans 4:16).
Donald E. Blind
dblind@erols.com[ Top of Page]
5. Kevin Hartley
Commentary:
How greatly our Lord Jesus Christ is exemplified by the author of Hebrews in this the opening of the seventh chapter. We know his theme, the superiority of the Son of God to the covenant of old; we know his approach, exalt the Son of God; and now we know his method, a clear and concise presentation of the undeniable truth of His superior person. Jesus Christ is after the order of another, Melchizedek.
One phrase alone shall suffice in our perusal of this text. There are grandiose and indiscernible mysteries of the godhead in the text; there are majestic titles and supreme wonders of the Savior, but this passage is more than simply a text to gaze and wonder over His magnificence. For if His magnificence were obtained solely in His eternally possessed glory as the Son of God, we would perhaps miss the greater demonstration of His glory over all, that is, His incarnate High Priestly glory.
Where is the Son of God's greatest glory? In this phrase, he 'abideth a priest continually.' This is an unusual phrase in the Greek, where one might expect to find the word "ainvniv." Instead we find the phrase "menei iereus eiV to dihnekathn," "He remains a priest forever." The word, a compound word, made up of the preposition dia (through) and enenka (carry), speaks of the unbroken continuance of His service. Thus we find His greatest demonstration of glory in His abiding mercy and priestly service. He abideth a priest continually. It literally speaks of the unbroken continuance of His mercy. He abideth a priest continually.
What did the Hebrew reader need? A priest who abideth continually. They needed not a seasonal man, nor a man whose flesh was first attended to in sacrifice. He needed a priest that abideth continually. When threats assaulted him, when troubles beset him, when apostasy enticed him, when weakness infirmed his will, he needed a priest that abideth continually.
O reader, what balm was in the law of old? What ointment soothed the soul when the heart grew weak, when the loins grew inflamed by transgression, when the zeal grew cold, when the flesh was weak? What sweet medicine was found in the box? The tablets of stone, cold and lifeless stone; a jar that spoke much of the contumacy of a stiff-necked people; and a rod that echoed of their lasting rebellion. What did they have but a bloody lid to lean upon and cry out, 'more blood upon the seat, more blood! For our sins overwhelm us!' Where is Aaron, where has that man gone? Has he harkened to the call of home? Has his thoughts left for another? O when the evening sun set upon the dusty camp of Israel, and the darkness of night set in, when sin hastened to the resting soul, where would the fainting Israelite go? Surely he felt himself undone and all alone, for where could he flee? Unto a mountain dark and terrorsome? To a tent where he would find an attendant to say, ' you cannot draw near man!' Where would he go for solace in the troubled night? Where would he find rest from his weary soul? There he would lie in the tears of night, his pillow flowed as an ocean's torrent, 'there is no man for me.'
Once while attending the bedside of a sickly saint, in the darkness of night, I recall the solitary sadness of the hour. There was none to hasten to the troubled and ailing soul's side; there was no sound of night in the quiet halls; no joyful hope of nurses and physicians tended to the infirm. Nay, but in the dark of night, in the still and silence of the even, there is a winter that sets upon the soul. It is a feeling of loneliness and despair. Such must be the life of every troubled man that has no man who tends the altar for him.
Oh sweet comfort to the weary, the lonely, the troubled, and the sorrowful. Oh what words of mercy to the weeping heart in the night, who has thoughts of turning back from the glorious One. There he shall be found hiding amidst the bushes of his sin, amidst the thorns of his weak heart of faith, but sovereign mercy assures us there is another who finds him there. Bloodied as an infant, unsalted and all alone, helpless in the field. There does the Comforter hasten to sickly Elijah's fainting heart and cry, in yet a still, small voice, "He abideth a priest continually." Now, even now, timid saint, you with feeble and weary arms, who feel you cannot take another step in faith, listen to the words drop and drum upon your silver roof; as rain from the drought of heaven's skies falls, you hear, "He abideth a priest continually." You, while you faint, He does not. While you stumble, He stands firm. While you falter and drop, He does raise you up. For He is your priest and He abideth a priest continually.
May the Lord comfort our weeping hearts this day. Ah soul, delight in these most precious of words, "He remaineth a priest continually." Plead my case righteous One, plead the case of your innocent blood. Let that blood ever stain that mercy seat. To Him all glory and honor and praise be given, Amen.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Kevin Hartley
kartleyk@erols.com[ Top of Page]
6. Tim Clifton
Commentary on Hebrews 7:1-6:
For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; (7:1)
For this Melchisedec... We have just introduced again, in Hebrews 6:20 (for the 3rd time in Hebrews, and the 4th time in the Bible), the phrase, "the order of Melchisedec." Now, in 7:1, we begin a discussion of this Melchisedec with one of the only 4 times in the Bible the name is used in a way other than 'the order of...." Of course he is a character from the Hebrew Scriptures, and of course he is related to Abraham in a rather strange way, but even the Messianic Hebrew audience of this epistle knew little about him. To read the Jewish mindset on him, is to look at a mixed bag of varied opinions.
And why not? In Gen. 14 we learn only that he was the "king of Salem" and "priest of the most high God," which is how chapter 7 starts out. We also find in Genesis that he gave bread and wine (14:18), blessed Abram (14:19), blessed God who delivered Abram, and received tithes of Abram (14:20). Then in the Messianic Psalm 110:4, we see the only other Scriptural mention of him that this Hebrew audience might have recognized: when God calls Messiah a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. It is the writer of Hebrews who will give us more on this figure, and the added details will show this audience, once again, the better nature of Christ over Aaron, as the nature of Melchisedec demands a change in the priesthood and thus a change FROM the law that was surely a constant tug on their thinking. Let's follow his argument.
To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; (7:2)
...King of Salem... In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel. In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion (Psalm 76:1,2).
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. (7:3)
v.3 ...having neither beginning of days, nor end of life... There are two things to discuss here, the weightier matter we will hold for second.
- Who is Melchisedec?
a. verse one: King of Salem (perhaps Jerusalem, but that is in the shadows), Priest of God.
b. verse two: Receiver of tithes, King of righteousness.
c. verse three: No family pedigree on either side (at least no recorded one), no birthday or funeral service, made 'like unto' (a temporal resemblance is a possible rendering) the Son of God, a continual priest.
d. verse four: Called a man (but so was Christ).
I will restrict my discussion to whether he was Christ or a man, for if he were anything but Christ, and still an angelic being, He would not bear the names given. "King of Salem" and "Priest of God" could go either way. "Made like unto..," and "called a man," would suggest the possibility that he was a type of Christ, but a human one. There is, however, a very peculiar thing here: FOUR terms: "without father," "without mother," "without descent," and "like unto" in verse three are the only places in the whole Bible these 'special' terms are used in the Greek! I love to study those words that are used only once, and I have to wonder why FOUR of them are used here, which leads to the next part of v.3, "..having neither beginning of days, nor end of life...." For this individual is reserved not only special words by the Spirit of God, but also words that no human can claim! But Messiah can!
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Mic. 5:2)
Thus I would believe that Melchisedec was an appearance of Christ to His beloved Abraham.
- The word "continually" in verse three is the more important matter because it is the flow of the passage. Compare 6:20 where we see, "an high priest for ever," and 5:6 quoting the Psalm where again we see, "Thou art a priest for ever." The 'ORDER' of Melchisedec is in the spotlight throughout this discussion in Hebrews, and not necessarily the 'identity' of the man. The Bible mentions the order of Melchisedec 7 times, compared to the order of Aaron just one time a little further below. God is giving us (and especially the Hebrew Christians) the clear comparison of an everlasting priesthood to one that is not. In sight is a CHANGE that will justify their changed lives and changed directions, because this order is a better one! Messiah in this order "abideth a priest continually."
Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. (7: 4-6)
Now consider how great this man was.... Ok Hebrew Christians, we all know of Abraham's greatness, but Melchisedec's was even better! Yes, the sons of Levi received the priesthood and took tithes, but before all that, the priests themselves GAVE tithes to this man through the very father of their race! And yes, even though he had no part in the genealogy of their order, he received their tithes and blessed their father Abraham with the very blessing of God! Humbling, isn't it? And more than enough reason to count as dung the tug back to the old priesthood and the law of Sinai, which they surely had to contend with in their new walk with Messiah. And why? Because Melchisedec is 'for ever,' and Aaron is not. Any questions? (part two next week).
In Christ, Tim Clifton
tclifton@hotmail.com[ Top of Page]
7. Maurice Bergeron
For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; (7:1)
"For this Melchizedec, king of Salem..." It is interesting how this person is so mysterious. There are some who will assert that this priest/king was none other than our Lord. Though I do entertain such thoughts, I will leave that to God. In some ways we are like those who, during our Lord's visitation, speculated concerning the person of John the Baptist: "Was the Baptist Elijah?" The mysteries will all be answered in due time.
"Priest of the most High God," I am often taken by the silence of scripture. Have you ever wondered if this Melchizedec was the only one ever fitted to this service in ancient times?"
In spite of what we may think of this Melchizedec, his office and station certainly stood him out from among the crowd. Here was a king who served as a priest. Prophet/priests were on occasion used of God, but a priest/king? Who other than Melchizedec and our Jesus? Jesus not only intercedes for His people, He sovereignly rules the creation and orders His holy angels to meet our needs.
The two offices of priest/king complement one another perfectly. It is especially so now as He rules and serves His New Covenant people.
"Who met Abraham, returning from the slaughter of kings," Abraham, himself the rescuer of righteous Lot, was returning from his victory when along came our mysterious priest/king Melchizedec. So goes it with all who take up the cause of the brethren who are in need. Christ meets us in the way and ministers to us as we have ministered to others.
We are most refreshed when we refresh others. It is good to be used of God to deliver poor saints out of their misery. As for myself, I am glad to have known a rescuing Abraham or two (x20) in my Christian life.
"And blessed him." Here Abraham, the "friend of God," is blessed by God through this mediator Melchizedec.
But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. (Isa. 41:8)
Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? (2 Chr. 20:7)
What a friend we have in Jesus!
To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; (7:2)
"To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all" This tithe was given by Abraham willingly. At that time Abraham's tithe was not demanded by any law nor did Melchizedec demand a tithe. Abraham's giving of it could possibly have been spontaneous. It would seem that theirs was a familiar relationship.
"King of Righteousness," Melchizedec (whose name means "King of Righteousness"), if he were indeed a mere man, had to have borne the weight of such a name. Could you or I live up to such a name? To my knowledge there is only One who can wear that name and live it, and that is our Lord, whose most holy righteousness is imputed to poor sinners who had no hope apart from Him.
"King of Salem," This phrase "King of Salem" means "King of Peace." His ministry was to establish and maintain peace between God and those whom he called "friend." We cannot be God's friend unless there is a Peacemaker.
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. (7:3)
"Without father, without mother," There is no mention in scripture of parentage or ancestry of any kind.
"Nor end of life" There is no beginning to his days nor end to his life. And in all these things he resembles the Son of God, remaining a priest perpetually. Certain cultists have no use for this text.
"...like unto the Son of God" The word "like" draws the comparison between Melchizidec and Jesus Christ.
Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. (7:4)
"Now consider how great this man [was]," Melchizedec is so great that "Abraham (the patriarch of the Jews) gave him the tenth part" of his spoils!
And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: (7:5)
"...the sons of Levi...have a commandment to take tithes...according to the law," Now to be sure, those sons of Levi were also commanded by the law to collect a tenth from their own brothers. The New Covenant has no such law since the Levitical priesthood no longer exists. Abraham, though he gave a tenth part, was under no regulatory obligation to do so. See Nu 18:24,26,28 Ne 13:5.
But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. (7:6)
"But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham," Did the translators use the plural word "tithes" when it should be a singular word "tithe"? If the plural "tithes" is correct then we would have to assume that Abraham delivered a tenth on more than one occasion to this priest/king Melchizedec.
Melchizedec, who was not of the blood of Abraham or tribe of Levi, received a tenth part of the spoils garnered by Abraham. Abraham offered the tenth part not because of any obligation to the law which would follow 400 years afterward, but because of his transcendent dignity.
Closing Thoughts:In these verses (1-6) we have the inspired writer of Hebrews holding both Melchizedec and father Abraham up for his readers to consider. They have seen in this familiar but mysterious character of Melchizedec a type of Christ wonderfully displayed. The picture of Melchizedec here is most interesting, but please consider father Abraham's impact upon the Jewish Christian mindset. In the person of father Abraham, they have had set before them, by the writer, an example of one who lived, by faith, in harmony with God without the need of the Pedagogue Old Covenant and its Levitical system. It is here in these verses that we have typified in Abraham and Melchizedek the Savior's relationship to His people and His people's relationship to Him. This is how close we are in proximity to Christ our Lord, the High Priest of God and the King of Kings. It was for the Hebrew Christian reader to take heart and be encouraged by this wonderful relationship of old. For him, Abraham stood as the example of life with Christ without a pedagogue.
Maurice Bergeron
ic@mdc.net[ Top of Page]
Go to Chapter Seven Verses 7 through 10
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