LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Discussion Board: Final Research Paper Assignment
..
Submitted to Dr. Todd Kinzer, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the completion of the course
NBST 621-B01
Hebrews
by
Carlinda Rashid
06/26/2022
Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................................3
The Priesthood of Melchizedek...............................................................................................4
The description of Melchizedek in the Book of Genesis...........................................................4
Melchizedek’s priesthood description in the Book of Hebrews................................................4
The Priesthood of Jesus Christ.................................................................................................5
The Comparison of the Priesthoods of Jesus Christ and Melchizedek......................................6
Conclusion..............................................................................................................................8
Bibliography..........................................................................................................................10
2
Introduction
The priesthoods of Melchizedek and Jesus Christ’s facilitated the development of
Christianity to a higher parallel, which points to an “priesthood ordinance” that will last for all
eternity. The term priesthood is defined “the office, dignity, or character of a priest .”1 The word
priesthood according to the believers is defined as “Christian belief that every believer has
direct access to God through Jesus Christ and that the church is a fellowship of priests serving
together under the lordship of Christ.”2
Now the priesthood in the Old Testament primarily involved sacrificing at the altar and
worship in the shrine. Other functions that were performed by Old Testament priests was the
blessing the people, determining the will God, and instructing the people in the law of God”3
Jesus’ priesthood is according to the order of Melchizedek which appears extensively in the
book of Hebrews and that description also found in Psalms 110:4. Which states “The LORD has
sworn and will not relent, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”4
In this paper, the primary study will analyze and illustrate the connection between the
two priesthoods. Second, the point of discussion will center around the comparison of both
priesthoods and how they differ. Third, will propose how the author of the book of Hebrews
indicates that Melchizedek’s priesthood points “to only Jesus, whose life could not be destroyed
by death, fit the psalmist’ description of a priest of “the order of Melchizedek, which is found in
Psalms 110:4.”5
1 Merriam-Webster Dictionary. “Priesthood.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/priesthood.
2 Chad Brand & et al. “Melchizedek.” Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. (2003), 1103.
3 Ibid.
4 Ps 110:4 NKJV
5 Chad Brand & et al. “Melchizedek.” Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. (2003), 1103.
3
The Priesthood of Melchizedek
The Description of Melchizedek in the Book of Genesis
Melchizedek, from “the Genesis narrative’s omission of Melchizedek’s biographical
details, the author proclaims: “He is without father, mother, or genealogy, having neither
beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest
forever.”6Melchizedek is first introduced in the book of Genesis 14:18-20 which states “Then
Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.
And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and
earth; And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand. ”And he
gave him [a]a tithe of all.”7 According to Chirila et al, “Melchizedek was king of Salem, a Canaanite
settlement, which is identified by most of the interpreters with Jerusalem. He also notes that it
is believed that the place where Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, was where Melchizedek
was king and priest.”8
Melchizedek’s priesthood description in the Book of Hebrews.
The Priesthood in Order of Melchizedek is found in Hebrews chapter 7. “Melchizedek
was a priest of God; he names means “king of righteousness”; his title “king of Salem” means
“king of peace.”9 “First, it is important to understand the basic meaning of the phrases ‘the
order of Melchizedek, which is first quoted by the author of Hebrews in 5:6 as the basis for
Christ’s priesthood. The author expounds on ‘the order of Melchizedek’ as being greater than
6 Gilbert Soo Hoo. “The Honor-Shame Motif in the Book of Hebrews.” Journal of Asian Evangelical
Theology 25, no. 1 (2021): 53-73.
7 Gen 14:18-20 KJV
8 Ioan Chirila & et al. “RECONSTITUTION OF MELCHIZEDEK’S HISTORY IN RABBINIC AND CHRISTIAN
TRADITIONS.” Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies 16, no. 48 (Winter, 2017): 3-15,
http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?qurl
9 Towns, Elmer L. & Gutierrez, Ben. “Hebrews.” Essence of the New Testament: A Survey. (Nashville: B&H
Publishing), 2016.
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that of the Levi, by referencing Genesis where Abraham tithes to Melchizedek, who is king of
Salem, this action signifies that Abraham is inferior to Melchizedek and consequently, Levi and
his sons are as well because they descend from Abraham.”10
“The superiority of Melchizedek established, the author demonstrates the necessity for
a priest to be ordained after this order and the significance of this shift. The superiority of the
priest who ‘arises in the likeness of Melchizedek.’ First, this priest is not finite. The basis for his
priesthood is not his tribe, it is by ‘the power of an indestructible life. The nature of his
intercession is superior. He has no need to sacrifice for his own sins because of the tribe.
Second, the nature of his intercession is superior. He has no need to sacrifice for his own sins
because he if ‘holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the
heavens. This priest is perfect.”11
The Priesthood of Jesus Christ
The description of the priesthood of Jesus Christ is found in the epistle of Hebrews. The
author of Hebrews wrote this letter for all believers outlining a valid “biblical narrative of Christ
as priest and by portraying him extensively in the exercise of his high priesthood. The vision of
Christ as eternal High Priest makes it first appearance in Hebrews and seems a self-consciously
avant-garde interpretation of Christ’s life, death, and exaltation.”12 There are “three
qualifications which made Jesus the high priest of the new dispensation: ‘every high priest is
(1)taken from among human beings and (2) appointed on behalf of human beings with respect
to the matters pertaining to God, (3) in order to offer gifts and sacrifices for sin. As high priest
Ghrist has been
10 Lacy K, Crocker. “A Holy Nation.” Reformed Theological Review 72, no. 3 (2013): 185
11 Ibid.
12 O’Collins, Gerald. “The Priesthood of Christ and Followers of Other Faiths” The Irish Theological
Quarterly 78, no. 3 (2013): 262-278.
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(1) chosen from among human beings, and (2) not self-appointed, but called by God to
represent them (3) in the sacrificial offering he makes, for the expiation of their sins. But Christ
is superior to any Levitical high priest. He holds his priesthood permanently and always lives to
make intercession for those who approach God through him. Thus, Christ is not only a priest
everyone but for always. His priesthood is exercised for all people and for all time and beyond.
As high priest, Christ functions as the ‘mediator of a new covenant. The new covenant forms a
linchpin, without which Hebrews would fall apart. This definitive commitment of God is
interpreted against the background of the Mosaic covenant with the Jewish people but stands
in contrast with it as the ‘better’ or fully efficacious covenant.”13
The Comparison of the Priesthoods of Jesus Christ and Melchizedek
The comparison of the priesthoods of Jesus Christ and Melchizedek begins in
Hebrews
5:7-10 which states:
“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and
petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save
him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent
submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what
he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of
eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by
God to be high priest
in the order of Melchizedek.”14
In the comparison both Melchizedek and Jesus Christ have a “royal priesthood” and this royalty
is not typical. The interpretation of his name and title, the author has Melchizedek as “king of
righteousness,” King of Salem,” and “king of peace.”15 The second comparison according to
13 O’Collins, Gerald. “The Priesthood of Christ and Followers of Other Faiths” The Irish Theological
Quarterly 78, no. 3 (2013): 262-278.
14 Heb 5:7-10 NIV
15 Deborah W. Rooke “Jesus as Royal Priest: Reflections on the Interpretation of the Melchizedek
Tradition in Heb 7.” Biblica 81, no. 1 (2000): 81-94.
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Deborah W. Rooke states “these are types of messianic attributes, where Melchizedek is an
earthly type of reign of the Heavenly Son of God, who like Melchizedek, will “rule in
righteousness and peace.”16 The third comparison is found in Hebrews 7:14-15 which states “For
it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing
about priests. And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek
appears,”17 And Rooke notes, “this significant because both Jesus and Melchizedek’s priesthoods
had no Levitical connection.”18
The last comparison between Christ and Melchizedek priesthoods is summed up better
by Ioan Chirila which states: “It is interesting to note the fact that within this relationship type
that determines the features of the archetype, but Melchizedek is the one described in such a
manner so as the correspond to the features of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Saint Maximus’ opinion
the virtues of Melchizedek were the ones to determine such a profound resemblance with the
Prototype: “For every saint who began to possess a certain good, according to this good he is
also declared image (typos) of God who gave it. To this respect, this great Melchizedek, for the
divine virtue imprinted in him, became worthy of the image (typos) of Lord Christ and of his
unspoken mysteries.”19
The comparison between Melchizedek and Jesus Christ priesthoods were many, but the
main difference is found in Hebrews 9:11-15, which is summarized by this statement in verses
12-14 that states:
16 Deborah W. Rooke “Jesus as Royal Priest: Reflections on the Interpretation of the Melchizedek Tradition
in Heb 7.” Biblica 81, no. 1 (2000): 81-94.
17 Heb 7:14-15 NIV
18 Deborah W. Rooke “Jesus as Royal Priest: Reflections on the Interpretation of the Melchizedek Tradition
in Heb 7.” Biblica 81, no. 1 (2000): 81-94
19 Ioan Chirila & et al. “RECONSTITUTION OF MELCHIZEDEK’S HISTORY IN RABBINIC AND CHRISTIAN
TRADITIONS.” Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies 16, no. 48 (Winter, 2017): 3-15,
http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?qurl
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“12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered
the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining[a] eternal
redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled
on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are
outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through
the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences
from acts that lead to death,[b] so that we may serve the living God!”20
“This insufficiency of the old sacrifices anticipates the adequacy of Christ’s sacrifice, which is the
burden of verses 11-15. The description of Christ’s work in the sacrificial categories established
by the Old Covenant. One has only to note the predominance of “blood,” “selfoffering,” and
“cleansing.” Christ has entered the true heavenly sanctuary because his sacrifice has done away
with the sin before which the Old Covenant was impotent.”21
Conclusion
In conclusion, the priesthoods of Melchizedek and Jesus Christ’s facilitated the birth of
Christianity to a higher parallel, which points to an “priesthood ordinance” that will last for all
eternity by restoring the relationship between God and humanity. As the topics of discussion
centered around the priesthood of Melchizedek, the priesthood of Jesus Christ, the restoration
of humanity through sacrifice, and how both priesthoods compared with elaborating on one
major difference.
What is the importance of knowing the priesthoods of Melchizedek and Jesus Christ?
Because the writer in the book of Hebrews wanted to show how superiority the New Covenant
is compared to the Levitical covenant which only covered sin. The Melchizedek priesthood was a
precursor to the New Covenant with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The new covenant with
Jesus Christ will last for all eternity compared to the Levitical, which could not restore humanity
20 Heb 9:12-14 NIV
21 Gareth L. Cockerill. The Epistle to the Hebrews. New International Commentary on the New Testament.
(Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, (2012).
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back to God. What Jesus Christ did for humanity through sacrifice and shedding his precious
blood? He was the bridge that restore humanity back to God. Do Melchizedek was the incarnate
Christ? The incarnate Christ was known by many names in the Old Testament from Angel of
Lord, to the visitors that came to Abraham. It is possible that he was Melchizedek the righteous
king and high priest.
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Bibliography
Brand, Chad & et al. “Melchizedek.” Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. (2003), 1103.
Chirila, Ioan & et al. “RECONSTITUTION OF MELCHIZEDEK’S HISTORY IN RABBINIC AND
CHRISTIAN TRADITIONS.” Journal for the Study of Religions and
Ideologies 16, no. 48 (Winter, 2017): 3-15, http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?qurl
Cockerill, Gareth L. The Epistle to the Hebrews. New International Commentary on the New
Testament. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, (2012).
Crocker, Lacy K. “A Holy Nation.” Reformed Theological Review 72, no. 3 (2013): 185-201.
Hoo, Gilbert Soo. “The Honor-Shame Motif in the Book of Hebrews.” Journal of Asian
Evangelical Theology 25, no. 1 (2021): 53-73.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary. “Priesthood.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/priesthood
O’Collins, Gerald. “The Priesthood of Christ and Followers of Other Faiths” The Irish Theological
Quarterly 78, no. 3 (2013): 262-278.
Rooke, Deborah W. “Jesus as Royal Priest: Reflections on the Interpretation of the Melchizedek
Tradition in Heb 7.” Biblica 81, no. 1 (2000): 81-94.
Towns, Elmer L. & Gutierrez, Ben. “Hebrews.” Essence of the New Testament: A Survey. (Nashville: B&H
Publishing), 2016.
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