13 King of Righteousness

Hebrews chapter 7 presents us with the most detailed portrayal of Melchizedek in the New Testament. It also shows the intrinsic connection between his ministry and that of Jesus.

While the person and office of Melchizedek continues to be debated among Christian teachers, chapter 7 provides the most clarity and weight toward one particular view over the other.

1 The King of Righteousness

Hebrews 7:1-3

In this passage, we see Jesus referred to as both “king” and “priest” which would be both confusing and interesting to the intended audience of first century believers of a Hebrew background. The reason is that under Old Covenant Law, the monarchy and priesthood were always to be kept separate.

One individual was never to share both offices, or to involve himself in the duties attendant to both offices.

• Despite those prohibitions, Melchizedek is shown to hold both offices, making him a unique biblical character, except for one other, Jesus.

Without doubt, God did this to shown that Old Covenant Law was intended to point to, and to be fulfilled in Christ.

In verse 1, the author refers to Melchizedek as the king of Salem. Abraham had an encounter with Melchizedek upon returning from the victorious mission to rescue his nephew lot, and when Abraham defeated a coalition of several armies:

Genesis 14:18-20

“Salem: is a shortened variation of Jerusalem. However, neither Biblical or secular history records a king of Jerusalem named Melchizedek.

Verse 2 then speaks of “Salem” as meaning “peace” – therefore showing Melchizedek to be the “king of peace”.

• Melchizedek imparted a priestly blessing upon Abraham.
• Because Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek, points to the understanding, that Abraham looked upon him as being a representative of God, which we saw expressed in verse 1, where he was referred to a “priest of the Most High God.”

Verse 3 provides us with something even more remarkable about him, that he was with genealogy:

Hebrews 9:3

While the Bible provides even the briefest of genealogies for its main characters, here God’s Word is definitive, that Melchizedek was without genealogy, not having a father or mother.

• Next, he’s said to have had “neither beginning of days nor end of life” which clearly speaks of him as being eternal, and only one is eternal – God.
• Next, Melchizedek is described as “made like the Son of God”

The original Greek word for “made like” is <aphomoiomenos> and is only used in this one instance in the New Testament. It refers to being a “facsimile” or a “copy”. Which shows the great connection between Jesus and Melchizedek.

2 Greater than Abraham

The author then goes to lengths to show how Melchizedek was greater than Abraham, who was one of the great patriarchs of the Hebrew faith:

Hebrews 9:4-10

He again refers to the “tithe” of the spoils of war, which Abraham gave to Melchizedek.

The word “spoils” means “top of the heap” and speaks of him, not simply giving a tenth, but the very best of all he had accumulated.

Yet, the idea of tithing (giving a tenth) had not yet been commanded by God. The practice was established as part of the Old Covenant Law, which was given by Moses.

But here, we see Abraham voluntarily giving a tenth to Melchizedek, as opposed to that which would be later “commanded” under the Law.

This is a picture of how the church today, is to give to the Lord “freely” and not under compulsion:

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

In verse 6, once again the author points out that Melchizedek who didn’t have a genealogy (and therefore would have been greater) received the tithe from Abraham. This showed how Abraham understood that Melchizedek was worthy.

Yet even though Melchizedek was greater than Abraham, he blessed this man who was less than he.

This is more evidence that Melchizedek was the forerunner of Christ, who stated He didn’t come to be served but to serve:

Matthew 20:28

Verses 9 and 10, while from the outset might seem confusing, they’re intended to once again show how Melchizedek was greater that Abraham, and therefore was worthy of receiving the tithes:

Hebrews 9:9-10

The ancient Hebrew principle was that the ancestor was greater than the descendant. Therefore, by Abraham giving tithes to Melchizedek, he was acknowledging that Melchizedek was superior to Levi and the entire Levitical priesthood, which still, would not occur for another thousand years.

Which shows how there will be even a greater future High Priesthood than that of Melchizedek.

We’ll examine that next time when we continue in Hebrews chapter 9.