Hebrews compares Jesus to Melchizedek to show that Christ’s priesthood is eternal, superior, and possibly prefigured in Melchizedek himself. This connection is drawn primarily from Genesis 14 and Psalm 110 and expanded in Hebrews 5–7.
Melchizedek first appears when he blesses Abraham:
“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.” (Genesis 14:18)
He is both king and priest, an unusual combination. His name means “king of righteousness,” and as king of Salem, which literally means “king of peace.” The writer of Hebrews notes something striking:
“Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.” (Hebrews 7:3)
This description has led many to believe that Melchizedek was not merely a type of Christ, but an actual christophanies-in-the-old-testament/”>Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. The absence of genealogy, beginning, and end, along with the eternal aspect of his priesthood, points to divine qualities. Hebrews uses this to emphasize that Jesus’ priesthood is not based on lineage like Aaron’s but on the power of an endless life:
“But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.” (Hebrews 7:24)
Psalm 110:4 confirms this eternal priesthood:
“You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
Through this, Hebrews shows that Christ fulfills and surpasses the Old Covenant system. He is both King and Priest, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice and interceding forever for believers:
“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him.” (Hebrews 7:25)
Whether Melchizedek was a type or a pre-incarnate Christ, the message is clear: Jesus’ priesthood is eternal, unique, and the ultimate means of salvation.
