Hebrews 7:1-3 – Melchizedek, a foreshadow of Christ’s Priesthood

The author of Hebrews is about to launch out on a very important topic about the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ. From chapters 7-10, he would be dwelling on this subject to let the believers know that in Jesus Christ, the High Priest, they have a vast resource for help, when they are tempted to deflect from the faith. Here he also painted a glorious picture of Christ the High Priest in His totality to help them resist the temptation to turn away from Him.

The author began in verse 1, by reintroducing Melchizedek, as he embarked on talking about Christ’s Priesthood in the order of Melchizedek. This was the subject that he left off from Hebrews 5:11-6:20. Chapter 7’s aim is to show how as a priest, Christ Jesus was more superior to the priesthood from the line of Levi. To do so, he began by providing some background information of Melchizedek. In three verses, he gave the history of this historical priest.

The first time Melchizedek was mentioned was in Genesis 14. In that account, we learn that Abraham’s nephew Lot and his family, along with the citizens of the city Sodom, were taken captives. When Abraham received the news, he set out with his trained men and rescued Lot, his family and the people of Sodom. After Abraham’s rescue mission, Genesis 14:18-20 introduced Melchizedek as a priest of God Most High. This Melchizedek then blessed Abraham (whose name was still Abram at that time). Here, we learn that tithes were paid to Melchizedek by Abraham. The next mention of this unique priest is in Psalm 110:4. However, this mention is a prophetical reference rather than a historical one.

Who exactly is this Melchizedek? He was referred to as king of righteousness as well as king of peace. Two facts indicated that he was a priest: (1) He blessed Abraham; and (2) Abraham paid tithes of all the spoils of war to him. In verses 1-3, the main emphasis is that Melchizedek was an eternal priest and he was a proto-type of Jesus Christ. This is seen in two ways: (1) He was both a king and a priest; and (2) He was characterized by righteousness and peace. Here, we see four important facts about Melchizedek: (1) He was a king-priest; (2) He blessed Abraham; (3) He received tithes from Abraham; and (4) He had a significant name.

We have to exercise caution in interpreting verse 3. If taken literally, it will give the impression that Melchizedek was an angelic being. Bear in mind that to a Jew, a priest in the Old Testament had to be from the line of Levi. Hence, the issue of ancestry would be important. In their thinking, Jesus would be disqualified from the priesthood since he was not from the line of Levi. Here the author wanted them to know that, unlike priests from the order of Levi, Jesus Christ’s priesthood was of a higher order. The genealogy of Melchizedek was brought in to prove that Christ’s priesthood was greater than the Old Testament priesthood from the line of Levi.

The author’s intention was to demonstrate certain truths about Christ. For Melchizedek, the genealogy was simply a matter of record; but for Jesus Christ, the Son of God, it was a significant truth. Furthermore, Scriptures did not talk about Melchizedek’s death; hence, the author could say that he had a perpetual priesthood made like the Son of God.

The emphasis of verses 1-3 is that Melchizedek was an eternal priest. The writer intended the first phrase in verse 1, “For this Melchizedek …” to be connected to the end of verse 3, “… he abides a priest perpetually.” Only an eternal priest could offer salvation, and this is the reason that Christ could offer salvation. He was a priest after the order of Melchizedek, which was an eternal priesthood.

Christ is our eternal priest. He serves in the tabernacle not made with hand. His present ministry is right next to God. Hence, He will infinitely be better and there can never be another one better than Him. What a privilege!