The mysterious figure of Melchizedek appears briefly in the Old Testament, and is mentioned extensively in the New Testament book of Hebrews. He is described as a king and priest of the most high God (Genesis 14:18; Hebrews 7:1). Two key passages that discuss Melchizedek are Psalm 110:4 and Hebrews 7:17, which speak of Christ as a high priest “after the order of Melchizedek.” Let’s explore what the Bible teaches about this intriguing biblical character.
Melchizedek in the Old Testament
Melchizedek first appears in Genesis 14, after Abram rescues Lot and defeats the four kings. Upon Abram’s return, Melchizedek the king of Salem brings out bread and wine and blesses Abram. In response, Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he recovered (Genesis 14:18-20). This is the first mention of tithing in Scripture.
Some key things to notice about Melchizedek:
– He was king of Salem, likely an early name for Jerusalem (Psalm 76:2)
– He was priest of God Most High
– Abram recognized Melchizedek as a legitimate priest by giving him a tithe offering
– Melchizedek pronounced a blessing on Abram in God’s name
Melchizedek is called the priest of God Most High, El Elyon in Hebrew. He brings bread and wine to Abram, foreshadowing the elements of Communion. And his name means “king of righteousness.” Beyond this, we are not told much more about Melchizedek in Genesis. He appears on the scene suddenly and then disappears.
The next mention of Melchizedek comes in Psalm 110, a messianic psalm written by David. Psalm 110:4 reads:
The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4)
This Psalm speaks prophetically of the coming Messiah, describing Him as a priest forever in the line of Melchizedek. Jesus is said to fulfill this prophecy in the book of Hebrews.
So in the OT, Melchizedek functions as a royal high priest who prefigures Christ and represents the continuity between Abram and the coming Messiah. His sudden appearance and lack of genealogy hint at his eternal nature.
Melchizedek in the New Testament
In the New Testament, Melchizedek is mentioned exclusively in the book of Hebrews. Hebrews chapters 5-7 contain an extended argument comparing Jesus to Melchizedek. Let’s explore some key passages:
And it is yet far more evident if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 7:15-17)
The writer argues that Jesus resembles Melchizedek as an eternal high priest, not based on ancestry like the Levitical priests, but based on “the power of an indestructible life.”
For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. (Hebrews 7:12-16)
Here the writer explains that Jesus, being from the tribe of Judah rather than Levi, requires a change in the law to serve as high priest. His priesthood is based on eternal power, not Levitical descent.
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:23-25)
Unlike mortal priests, Jesus holds his priesthood permanently since he lives forever. This allows him to fully save those who draw near to God through him.
For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. (Hebrews 7:26-28)
The writer emphasizes that Jesus is the perfect high priest who offered himself as the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice, in contrast to the imperfect Levitical priests who had to offer sacrifices continually for sin.
In summary, the New Testament teaches that Jesus serves as the perfect, eternal High Priest, according to the priestly order of Melchizedek. This was God’s plan all along, foreshadowed in Psalm 110 and Genesis 14. Jesus fulfills the prophecy and types of the Old Testament as the supreme, heavenly High Priest.
The Significance of Melchizedek
What are some key points of significance that we can draw about Melchizedek and his priestly order?
1. **Continuity from Old to New Covenants** – Melchizedek bridges the gap between Abraham and David, representing the continuity between the Old and New Covenants. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham.
2. **A Superior Priesthood** – The Melchizedek priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood. It is based on eternal life and God’s oath, not temporary laws regarding ancestry.
3. **Eternal Nature** – Melchizedek has no recorded birth or death. This represents his eternal nature, which Christ embodies as the eternal Son of God. The Melchizedek priesthood is forever.
4. **Royal Priesthood** – Melchizedek was both priest and king, as is Christ. Jesus is the King of Kings and our great High Priest.
5. **Blessing of Abraham Realized in Christ** – Melchizedek blessed Abraham, and Christ is the ultimate seed of Abraham who blesses all nations.
6. **Typological Connection to Communion** – The bread and wine brought by Melchizedek foreshadow the Communion elements representing Christ’s body and blood.
7. **Christ as Heavenly High Priest** – Melchizedek and Christ represent the heavenly priesthood, while the earthly Levites served as types and shadows.
In many ways, the mysterious figure of Melchizedek prepares the way for understanding Christ’s eternal priesthood. Jesus is able to fully save, sanctify, and intercede as the supreme High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. This truth anchors our confidence in Christ’s ongoing work on our behalf.
Further Details on the Order of Melchizedek
Now that we’ve covered the high-level overview, let’s explore some additional details and implications from Hebrews 7 regarding the Melchizedek priesthood:
Perfection Apart from Levitical Law
The Melchizedek priesthood demonstrates that perfection was attainable apart from the Levitical system. The Abrahamic covenant preceded the law. As Hebrews 7:11 states, “Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?”
The Former Commandment Set Aside
Melchizedek provides the basis for an entirely new priesthood that set aside the old requirement concerning physical descent from Levi. “For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.” (Hebrews 7:18-19)
Unchangeable Oath vs. Legal Requirement
The Melchizedek priesthood rests on God’s unchangeable oath rather than merely human laws and regulations: “The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:23-25)
Appointed by God’s Oath
Psalm 110:4 records God’s oath appointing his Son as High Priest. The Melchizedek priesthood is based on God’s promise, not fleshly requirements:
“And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: ‘The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, You are a priest forever.'” (Hebrews 7:20-22)
Unending, Indestructible Life
Melchizedek represents an eternal priesthood exercised by one with unending life: “but by the power of an indestructible life.” (Hebrews 7:16) And again, “Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.” (Hebrews 7:22-24)
Appointment of the Son
This new priesthood involves the appointment of God’s Son, the Messiah, who is perfect forever: “Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.” (Hebrews 8:1-2)
A Superior Ministry
Christ’s ministry is superior to the earthly Levitical model, bringing better promises and a better covenant: “But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.” (Hebrews 8:6)
Connection to Communion
We find a typological connection between Melchizedek and the Lord’s Supper in Hebrews 7:
“For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. 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.” (Hebrews 7:1-3)
Melchizedek blessed Abraham with bread and wine (Genesis 14:18), pointing ahead to Christ’s provision of His body and blood represented in the Communion elements. Just as Melchizedek brought sustenance and blessing to Abraham after battle, so Christ brings spiritual nourishment and blessing to us.
The order of Melchizedek connects Christ’s eternal priesthood with His ongoing work of sanctification in the lives of believers through the Lord’s Supper. At the Table, Christ applies the benefits of His sacrifice to us as our great High Priest.
Implications for Christian Ministry
The order of Melchizedek contains important implications for ministry today:
1. We have confidence to draw near to God through Christ, our perfect High Priest.
2. All believers are called to holy service as priests based on God’s mercy, not human ancestry.
3. The new covenant brings liberation from weakness of the law’s demands.
4. Salvation in Christ enables us to serve God with indestructible eternal life.
5. Christ’s heavenly priesthood implies a superior spiritual reality versus earthly shadows.
6. As royal priests in Christ, we bless others and point to the greater Priest and King.
7. The Melchizedek priesthood should ground our Table fellowship and community life together.
The richness of the Melchizedek typology enhances our gospel proclamation, energizes our service, anchors our worship, and fuels our confidence in approaching God’s throne through Christ.
Conclusion
The order of Melchizedek provides a window into the glories of Christ’s eternal priesthood. What began as a brief mysterious appearance in Genesis is elaborated on extensively in Hebrews. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the royal, eternal priest typified by Melchizedek. This truth anchors our salvation in the person and work of our great High Priest, who intercedes, blesses, provides, and empowers us by an indestructible life. Meditating on Melchizedek enriches our gospel vision both for ministry today and our eternal hope in Christ.