“King of Righteousness”: king and priest of Salem, who blessed Abraham. David assumed Melchizedek's role as king and priest of Jersualem for himself and his descendants. Jesus Christ succeeded to this role and became a high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Melchizedek was both king and priest
As a king, Melchizedek entertained Abraham
Genesis 14:18 See also Hebrews 7:1
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine — since he was priest of God Most High —
As a priest, Melchizedek blessed Abraham
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine — since he was priest of God Most High — and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,
Abraham acknowledged Melchizedek as a priest of the LORD
Genesis 14:20, Genesis 14:22 Melchizedek here points ahead to Jesus Christ, who is also priest and king.
and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.
But Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,
The status of Melchizedek
David appropriates Melchizedek's office and authority for himself and his descendants
Psalm 110:1–2, Psalm 110:4 The word “order” here means “in succession to”, meaning that Christ assumes the status and function of Melchizedek.
A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” The LORD extends Your mighty scepter from Zion: “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”
The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
The Davidic Messiah (Christ) inherits the office of Melchizedek
Matthew 22:41–44 parallels Mark 12:35–37, Luke 20:41–44 Jesus Christ was at that time being acclaimed as the “Son of David” and by implication here claims to be the Messiah. See also Matthew 20:30 parallels Mark 10:47, Luke 18:35–39; Matthew 21:9 parallel Mark 11:10; Matthew 21:15; Acts 2:34
While the Pharisees were assembled, Jesus questioned them: “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is He?” “David’s,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord’? For he says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’
Jesus Christ as high priest after the order of Melchizedek
Hebrews 5:8–10, Hebrews 6:19–20 Only the high priest could sacrifice for the sins of the nation in the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.
Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him and was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
The characteristics of the order of Melchizedek
Hebrews 7:2–3 Melchizedek's order of priesthood was one of kingship, peace and righteousness; it did not depend on genealogical descent (unlike the Levitical priesthood); it is eternal, without known beginning or end. See also Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6, Hebrews 6:20, Hebrews 7:21
and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.
The uniqueness of Jesus Christ's high priesthood in the order of Melchizedek
Hebrews 7:6–7 Melchizedek was superior to Abraham and therefore to the Levitical priesthood descended from Abraham; Psalm 110:4 The priesthood is secured by God's oath. See also Hebrews 6:17–20, Hebrews 7:16, Hebrews 7:20–22, Hebrews 7:26–27, Hebrews 8:1–2
But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.
The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
Jesus Christ's high priesthood makes the Levitical priesthood obsolete
Hebrews 8:13 See also Hebrews 7:11, Hebrews 7:18–19, Hebrews 8:7–13
By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.