Heb 7:1-3 | RWP | e4.org | This Melchizedek ( ουτος ο Μελχισεδεκ ). The one already mentioned several times with whose priesthood that of Christ is compared and which is older and of a higher type than that of Aaron. See ; for the only account of Melchizedek in the Old Testament. It is a daring thing to put Melchizedek above Aaron, but the author does it. Moffatt calls verses "a little sermon" on . It is "for ever" ( εις τον αιωνα ) that he explains. Melchizedek is the only one in his line and stands alone in the record in Genesis. The interpretation is rabbinical in method, but well adapted to Jewish readers. The description is taken verbatim from Genesis except that "who met" ( ο συναντησας ) is here applied to Melchizedek from instead of to the King of Sodom. They both met Abraham as a matter of fact. For this verb (first aorist active participle of συνανταω ) see . Slaughter ( κοπης ). Old word for cutting ( κοπτω , to cut), here only in N.T. These kings were Amraphel, Arioch, Chedorlaomer, Tidal. Amraphel is usually taken to be Khammurabi. Priest of God Most High ( ιερευς του θεου του υψιστου ). He is called "priest" and note του υψιστου applied to God as the Canaanites, Phoenicians, Hebrews did. It is used also of Zeus and the Maccabean priest-kings. The demons apply it to God ( ; ).

‏ Hebrews 7:1-3

This Melchizedek ( ουτος ο Μελχισεδεκ ). The one already mentioned several times with whose priesthood that of Christ is compared and which is older and of a higher type than that of Aaron. See Ge 14:18-20; Ps 110 for the only account of Melchizedek in the Old Testament. It is a daring thing to put Melchizedek above Aaron, but the author does it. Moffatt calls verses 1-3 "a little sermon" on 6:20. It is "for ever" ( εις τον αιωνα ) that he explains. Melchizedek is the only one in his line and stands alone in the record in Genesis. The interpretation is rabbinical in method, but well adapted to Jewish readers. The description is taken verbatim from Genesis except that "who met" ( ο συναντησας ) is here applied to Melchizedek from Ge 14:17 instead of to the King of Sodom. They both met Abraham as a matter of fact. For this verb (first aorist active participle of συνανταω ) see Lu 9:37.

Slaughter ( κοπης ). Old word for cutting ( κοπτω, to cut), here only in N.T. These kings were Amraphel, Arioch, Chedorlaomer, Tidal. Amraphel is usually taken to be Khammurabi.

Priest of God Most High ( ιερευς του θεου του υψιστου ). He is called "priest" and note του υψιστου applied to God as the Canaanites, Phoenicians, Hebrews did. It is used also of Zeus and the Maccabean priest-kings. The demons apply it to God (Mr 5:7; Lu 8:28).

A tenth ( δεκατην ). It was common to offer a tenth of the spoils to the gods. So Abraham recognized Melchizedek as a priest of God.

Divided ( εμερισεν ). First aorist active of μεριζω, from μερος (portion), to separate into parts. From this point till near the end of verse 3 (the Son of God) is a long parenthesis with ουτος of verse 1 as the subject of μενε (abideth) as the Revised Version punctuates it. Philo had made popular the kind of exegesis used here. The author gives in Greek the meaning of the Hebrew words Melchizedek (King of righteousness, cf. 1:8) and Salem (peace).

Without father, without mother, without genealogy ( απατωρ, αμητωρ, αγενεαλογητος ). Alliteration like Ro 1:30, the first two old words, the third coined by the author (found nowhere else) and meaning simply "devoid of any genealogy." The argument is that from silence, made much of by Philo, but not to be pressed. The record in Genesis tells nothing of any genealogy. Melchizedek stands alone. He is not to be understood as a miraculous being without birth or death. Melchizedek has been made more mysterious than he is by reading into this interpretation what is not there.

Made like ( αφωμοιωμενος ). Perfect passive participle of αφομοιοω, old verb, to produce a facsimile or copy, only here in N.T. The likeness is in the picture drawn in Genesis, not in the man himself. Such artificial interpretation does not amount to proof, but only serves as a parallel or illustration.

Unto the Son of God ( τω υιω του θεου ). Associative instrumental case of υιος.

Abideth a priest ( μενε ιερευς ). According to the record in Genesis, the only one in his line just as Jesus stands alone, but with the difference that Jesus continues priest in fact in heaven.

Continually ( εις το διηνεκες ). Old phrase (for the continuity) like εις τον αιωνα, in N.T. only in Hebrews (7:3; 10:1, 14, 21).