The book of Hebrews is well known for its usage of Old Testament materials, as a large portion of the book is Old Testament citation. Old Testament passages are used in many ways in the book of Hebrews. For example, in the first two chapters the author of Hebrews uses several Old Testament Scriptures to argue that the Son of God is superior to even the Angels. In the third and fourth chapters the author uses the Old Testament to argue that Christ Jesus is superior to Moses and is a superior Promised Land type of rest. Then near the end of chapter four the author of Hebrews begins to argue the High Priesthood of Christ Jesus. This argument goes from the end of chapter four all the way to verse eighteen of chapter ten. In these passages the author of Hebrews argues that Jesus is a High Priest of the order of Melchizedek. In that He is both High Priest who made atonement for sins and King, just as Melchizedek was both High Priest and king. The author of Hebrews uses Psalms one hundred-ten and Genesis fourteen specifically to argue this reality. Hebrew’s author argues that Christ Jesus is High Priest and King from the Order of Melchizedek, using Genesis fourteen and Psalms one hundred-ten as the basis of his assertion. In-order to rightly understand the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ according to Hebrews a basic understanding of Genesis fourteen and Psalms one hundred-ten is essential.
Genesis Fourteen
Firstly, in order to understand the High Priesthood of Christ, Genesis fourteen must be rightly understood, as Genesis fourteen provides the historical background for the Priesthood of Melchizedek. The book of Genesis was written by Moses prior to the Israelites initial entrance into the Promised Land. The events of Genesis fourteen take place near the beginning of the Patriarch Abraham’s story, who at that time was still called Abram. In Genesis fourteen the reader is told that there are nine kings who are warring against each other. There are four kings on one side and five on the other side (Genesis 14:9, CSB). It is recorded that the group of four kings plundered the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and kidnapped Abram’s nephew Lot (14:12). Consequently, Abram assembles a small army of three hundred and eighteen trained men and rescues Lot from his captives along with people, women, and the goods that were stolen (14:13-16). After Abram’s victory he is visited by the king of Sodom and the king of Salem, Melchizedek (14:17-18). Melchizedek brings out wine and bread blesses Abram, as he is said to be a priest of God Most High (14:19-20). Because of this, Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything he had and nothing to the king of Sodom (14:20-24).
Interestingly, Melchizedek, whose name means “righteous king,” was king over Salem, which would later be known as Jerusalem, foreshadowing the coming High Priest King Jesus Christ who will offer Himself for the sins of the world on a cross and will someday take His place on His throne in Jerusalem and rule for eternity.[1] Melchizedek in many ways resembles Christ, as the author of Hebrews will later note (Hebrews 7:3). This had led some scholars to believe that Melchizedek was a Christophany. However, Pastor and author R. Kent Hughes notes that the Greek word for resemble used in Hebrews 7:3 “always assumes two distinct and separate identities.”[2] Therefore, it should not be concluded that Melchizedek was an Old Testament appearance of the pre-incarnate Son of God. This does not however mean that Melchizedek is a type of Christ, as he very much so is. Especially according to the author of Hebrews.
Psalms One Hundred-Ten’s use of Genesis Fourteen
Secondly, an understanding of Psalms one-hundred ten is also required to rightly understand the High Priesthood of Christ in Hebrews, as Psalms one hundred-ten also utilizes Genesis fourteen and is quoted in Hebrews along side Genesis fourteen. Jesus Christ Himself affirms that the author of this Psalm is King David (Matthew 22:43-44).[3] The Psalm itself is highly Messianic in nature and is the most quoted Psalm in the New Testament. The time or occasion that the Psalm was written is a mystery. However, John MacArthur speculates that it may have been written around the time that the Davidic Covenant was made, as the Psalm’s implications reflect several elements of the Davidic Covenant.[4]
The Psalm itself states that the Lord declares to David’s Lord that He will sit at His right hand, that the nations will be made His footstool, and that He will be a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek (Psalms 110:1-7). Jesus notes in Matthew that David calls the His descendant Lord, as His descendant is God incarnate (Matthew 22:41-46). David is referring to His descendant Who fulfils the Covenant that God has made with Him (2 Samuel 7) and the coming Messiah Who is both his descendant and God in human flesh. Here is both a recognition of future Covenant fulfillment and the deity of the coming Messiah, which appears to be what Jesus is getting at in Matthew twenty-two, as He understands it to be in reference to Himself.
Psalms one hundred-ten also anticipates the New Covenant. This is seen explicitly in the reference to Christ being a Priest in the order of Melchizedek forever (Psalms 110:4, CSB). God is going to establish a new priesthood forever, which would be part of His New Covenant which is outlined in Jeremiah thirty-one (Jeremiah 31:31-40). This Covenant is going to be distinctly different than the one God made with Israel after He brought them out of Egypt (Jeremiah 31:32-34). Jeremiah foretells of the coming New Covenant that God will establish and of the coming forgiveness of sins and iniquity (Jeremiah 31:34). This Covenant would later be established through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Jesus Christ is both High Priest and Sacrifice Who offered His own blood to atone for the sins of the world. Those who repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ will be saved and be a part of the New Covenant.
Hebrews and the Order of Melchizedek
Hebrews chapter seven through chapter ten tie together Genesis fourteen, Psalms one hundred-ten, and the New Covenant. These chapters declare that Jesus Christ is the High Priest of the Order of Melchizedek. The author of Hebrews begins in chapter seven by arguing that the Priesthood of Melchizedek is superior to the Levitical Priesthood as a tithe was given to Melchizedek while the Levitical Priests merely collect tithes (Hebrews 7:4-10). The author of Hebrews continues his argument, by showing that a change of Priesthood also requires a change of the Law which has been realized in the Priestly work of Christ Jesus (7:12). This was necessary as the old command was weak and unprofitable (7:18-19), as the Levitical Priests had to continually offer sacrifices for their sins and the sins of the people (7:27). It is Jesus Christ however who is the superior High Priest as He is an eternal and permanent priest and is therefore able to save completely which was not possible under the old priesthood (Hebrews 7:23-25, CSB). Not only does the Priesthood of Jesus offer complete salvation but also guarantees a better Covenant (7:21-22).
The author of Hebrews is making this argument to demonstrate the type of High Priest that Christ Jesus is (Hebrews 8:1). Christ Jesus is the High Priest Who is seated at the right hand of the Father, Who ministers from a tabernacle established by the Lord and not by man, Who has a superior ministry, and is the mediator of a better Covenant (8:1-6). The author then quotes Jeremiah chapter thirty-one verses thirty-one through thirty-four arguing that it is the better covenant that is to replace the Old Covenant, as it and the people with whom it was made were faulty (8:7-12). Therefore, God has established a New Covenant to replace the Old in through the Priestly ministry of Jesus Christ. He has established a New Priesthood, a New Covenant, and a Law of love. Christ Jesus Himself acted as both High Priest and sacrifice. Offering His own blood on behalf of the people just as Levitical High Priest would offer the blood of animals on the day of atonement for the people’s sins (Hebrews 9). His sacrifice differed from the sacrifices of the Levitical High Priests as His was a one-time sacrifice, because His blood is sufficient for all who repent and believe in Him. His work is finished and complete and therefore He sits at the right hand of the Father, because truly “it is finished.” This is Jesus Christ the High Priest of the order of Melchizedek who is the mediator of the New Covenant, the descendant of David, and the King Who reigns forever (Genesis 14:18, 2 Samuel 7:12-13, Psalms 110:4, Hebrews 9:15).
Conclusion
The author of Hebrews uses Genesis fourteen and Psalms one hundred ten to argue that Christ Jesus is the High Priest of the Order of Melchizedek Who offered Himself as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. He is both eternal King and High Priest Who reigns forever and ever. Through Him God has established a New Covenant that is superior to the Old and a New Priesthood. By Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the old rugged cross forgiveness of sins is now offered freely to all who would repent and believe.
[1] MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Bible Commentary, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2005), 34. [2] R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word: Genesis, (Wheaton: Crossway, 2004), 214. [3] MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Bible Commentary, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2005), 673. [4] Ibid.
