Who was Melchizedek?

Dr. Kluane Spake www.kluane.org

Who was Melchizedek? His identity is still a debatable subject.

The Book of Hebrews tells us a lot about his priesthood but not much about who he was. It seems that the identity of Melchizedek was more known to the early church than it is to us. Perhaps that's because the early church retained the tradition of their forefathers' and passed it down throughout their generations.

The Dead Sea Scrolls document that Melchizedek was the pre-incarnate Jesus. Rabbinical literature records that Melchizedek was Shem or came from the lineage of Shem. This view is called a theophany - meaning that they thought Melchizedek was a man. There is ample evidence for both of these viewpoints. The mysterious identity of Melchizedek may never be established for sure.

What's more important to the believer is WHY Hebrews 7 tells us that the priesthood CHANGED. Why was there a need to change the priesthood from the Levitical (Aaronic) order to the Melchizedek order? The early Jews insisted that Jesus could never be any kind of priest since He was born from the tribe of Judah and was not a Levite. The book of Hebrews argues that Jesus was not a Levitical priest but a Melchizedek priest of God.

Hebrews 5:6, 7:17, 21 quote Psalm 110:4, a messianic prophecy, that predicted that the Messiah would be a priest after the Melchizedek order. Hebrews also claims that this priesthood of Melchizedek was "superior" to that of the Levitical system and insists that the order of priesthood necessitated a CHANGE of covenants. Hebrews 7:1, 3 tells us that Melchizedek was the KING of Salem.

Scholars generally agree that "Salem" was the ancient name for the city of Jerusalem - noting that "salem" is the root word of "Jeru-salem." Psalm 76:2 also compares Salem with Zion - the place where the tabernacle of God dwells. The word "salem" means peace. Hebrews 7:2 records that Melchizedek is the "King of Peace." The city of Jerusalem meant peace and believers are reminded to pray for the promised "PEACE of Jerusalem."

Hebrews 7:3 informs us that Melchizedek was "without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days or end of life." That statement often is thought to mean that he may have been pre-incarnate Jesus - Who is without beginning or end. However, this expression in not uncommon in ancient secular literature - and it meant that a certain individual did not have a genealogy on record.

Documented genealogy was very important to the Jew - especially for the priesthood. A man could not become a priest if he could not prove his lineage (Neh. 7:64). A man could not become a Levitical priest until he turned 25 years old, and they had to retire at the 50 years of age (Numb. 4:1-3, 22-23, 35, 43; 8:24-25). That Melchizedek's age and lineage were not recorded is important.

Recorded lineage and age were vital to the Aaronic priesthood -- but not to the Melchizedek Priesthood! A Melchizedek priest was as a priest for all lifetime!

Melchizedek "abides a priest continually." That Greek word "abides" is in the PRESENT tense, which indicates a continuous action of being a priest. The Melchizedek priesthood is one of endless life that never dies! It is without end. The phrase "without descent" (Heb. 7:3) comes from the translated Greek word agenealogetos which could also be translated as having he absence of a recorded or traced genealogy.

"Genealogetos" means that a person's name is on public written record. Therefore, agenealogetos means that a person's descent or lineage pedigree is not recorded or entered.

The genealogical descent of Melchizedek wasn't important, because THIS priesthood was not dependant on genealogy. Concerning Melchizedek, Hebrews 7:4 says, "having neither beginning of days, nor end of life." As we said, this could mean that Melchizedek was eternal or this statement could mean that the birth and death records of Melchizedek's are not recorded.

Under the Law of Moses, the priesthood had to be of the Levitical order (Aaronic). Therefore, the Law had to be fulfilled in Christ and the priesthood had to be changed so that all of us could become priests! We are a nation of priests!

Hebrews 7:17 tells us that Jesus was, "A priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." Jesus established a New Covenant by His blood of Christ and changed the order of the priesthood. He gave us this "new order" of Melchizedek priesthood for us to enjoy. Jesus was made priest "after the power of an endless life" (vs. 16-17). This Power of an endless life is what Jesus gives to us.

Beloved, let us study together to obtain a greater understanding what it means to hold the Melchizedek priesthood. If you are interested in Melchizedek, then this Melchizedek DVD at our online store at www.kluane.org is a must for you! You will hear things you've never considered before that will open your understanding on how to live in the Melchizedek! Your Online Pastor