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Melchizedek and Jesus - Hebrews 7
Melchizedek and Jesus - Hebrews 7
The descriptive phrase about Melchizedek that seems to cause people trouble is verse 3: “Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life,…” (Hebrews 7:3).
IF one takes such literally, then he was never born – and is eternal in nature. Taking it that way, some have then identified him with the eternal Word, Jesus before the incarnation. Would that not then have been an incarnation? Or did Melchizedek only appear to be human? Solving the ‘problem’ this way just creates greater problems.
The answer has to do rather with the basis of Melchizedek’s priesthood. The Aaronic priesthood was based upon genealogy! One had to be descended from the Tribe of Levi and the family of Aaron. The proof of that was a simple genealogy check! Who’s your daddy? Of course, THAT requirement didn’t come until long after Abraham (and Melchizedek). What family did Melchizedek belong to? We don’t know for it isn’t revealed.
What about his death? We don’t know any more about his death than we do his birth. Nothing is revealed. As far as the RECORD is concerned, his priesthood had no beginning and no end.
Thus, according to what is recorded, he makes an accurate picture of the priesthood of Jesus in that Jesus’ priesthood is not based upon genealogy (not born of the tribe of Levi) and He lives forever as our High Priest in the heavenly tabernacle. That is the point concerning the comparison.
Hugh DeLong
