MELCHISEDEC] a type of Christ in his high titles, independence of priestly descent, and especially in respect that his priesthood is eternal. 1. The main statement is, 'This Melchisedec.. abideth a priest continually.' Every feature in his history as recorded in Genesis 14 is turned to account in th... [ Continue Reading ]
PRIESTHOOD AFTER THE ORDER OF AARON AND OF MELCHIZEDEK The theme of Christ's superiority to the Levitical priesthood is here resumed. In Hebrews 5:1 it has been shown that Christ possesses all the characteristics of a true High Priest, and moreover that He is called of God 'an High Priest for ever... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT FATHER, WITHOUT MOTHER, WITHOUT DESCENT (RV 'genealogy')] The writer bases his argument on the silence of Scripture with regard to Melchizedek's origin. He appears suddenly in the narrative of Genesis 14, and disappears in a similarly mysterious way. In respect that his priesthood does not r... [ Continue Reading ]
Melchizedek was superior to Abraham, because he took tithes from Abraham (Genesis 14:20), and he also gave him his priestly benediction (Genesis 14:19). 5-7. He is much more superior to the Levitical priests who take tithes from then Israelite brethren, but who, in Abraham their progenitor, paid ti... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THEREFORE] RV 'Nowif': the beginning of a new argument. The priesthood is designed to reconcile men to God by removing the barrier between them, viz. sin. NOT.. AFTER THE ORDER OF AARON] but after the order of Melchizedek, who was independent of Levitical descent, being anterior to it. 13. He of... [ Continue Reading ]
The fact that Jesus was made priest with an oath guarantees that the covenant He mediates is better than the former (in which there was no such oath), and also that it is eternal: cp. Hebrews 6:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
SURETY] The word is not found elsewhere in the Greek canonical Scriptures. It means one who gives security for the fulfilment of an agreement between two other parties, a guarantor or sponsor. The word usually employed is that rendered 'mediator' in Hebrews 8:6. 23. The Levitical priesthood was a s... [ Continue Reading ]
UNCHANGEABLE] lit. 'that does not pass by succession from one to another.'... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE UTTERMOST] Either of time,' from one generation to another'; or, more probably of extent, 'perfectly.' COME UNTO GOD] RV 'draw near unto God through Him,' i.e. avail themselves of His mediating agency as High Priest. The object of all priesthood is to bring men to God in spiritual communion.... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAME US] i.e. suited our condition. HOLY] denotes His relation to God, consecrated. HARMLESS] denotes His personal character; the word usually means 'without guile.' UNDEFILED] denotes His official qualification, having no ceremonial flaw or impediment: cp. Leviticus 21:21. SEPARATE] RV 'separate... [ Continue Reading ]
FIRST FOR HIS OWN SINS] see Leviticus 16:5; Leviticus 16:11; Leviticus 16:15, and see on Hebrews 5:3. ONCE] i.e. once for all. HE OFFERED UP HIMSELF] see on Hebrews 9:11; Hebrews 9:25; Hebrews 10:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
SINCE THE LAW] RV 'after the law,' and disannulling it: cp. Hebrews 7:18; Hebrews 7:19. THE SON] rather, 'a Son,' i.e. one who is a Son, perfected for evermore: see Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 5:8; Hebrews 5:9.... [ Continue Reading ]