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Hebrews

  1. Lesson One
    Overview of Hebrews
    15 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  2. LESSON TWO
    Hebrews' Christology (Hebrews 1–3, 5, 8–9)
    18 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  3. LESSON THREE
    The Old Testament in Hebrews (Hebrews 4, 7, 11)
    20 Activities
  4. LESSON FOUR
    Exhortations in Hebrews
    17 Activities
  5. LESSON FIVE
    Persecution
    14 Activities
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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Hebrews The Old Testament in Hebrews (Hebrews 4, 7, 11) In | Comparison of Melchizedek and Jesus
Lesson 3, Activity 8

In | Comparison of Melchizedek and Jesus

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When the New Testament compares Jesus with figures like Moses or David, we have a good frame of reference for comparison. When the author of Hebrews connects Jesus with Melchizedek, however, we might be thinking, “Who?!” 

Far from being a major Bible character, Melchizedek appears in just a few Old Testament passages, and in these he is a somewhat mysterious figure. But we do know something about him, and by recalling his presence in the Old Testament we’re able to learn about what the author of Hebrews has in mind when he makes this connection.

Read the passages from Genesis and Psalms below. While Melchizedek appears in a number of places in ancient non-biblical literature, these are the only two passages in the Bible that mention him:

After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying,
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
    Creator of heaven and earth.
And praise be to God Most High,
    who delivered your enemies into your hand.” 
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. 
Genesis 14:17-20 NIV

The Lord says to my lord:
“Sit at my right hand
    until I make your enemies
    a footstool for your feet.”
The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying,
    “Rule in the midst of your enemies!”
Your troops will be willing
    on your day of battle.
Arrayed in holy splendor,
    your young men will come to you
    like dew from the morning’s womb.
The Lord has sworn
    and will not change his mind:
“You are a priest forever,
    in the order of Melchizedek.” 
Psalm 110:1-4 NIV

Dr. Herbert Bateman has charted these Old Testament passages alongside references to Melchizedek in Hebrews, in order to draw out the meaning of each reference as it applies to Jesus. Melchizedek is a priest who is also a king, or a “regal priest,” as are Jesus and the Davidic figure in Psalms. By considering these three references, and their contexts, we’re able to piece together a good idea of what the author of Hebrews has in mind.

Genesis 14Psalm 110Hebrews 1–7
Captives freed by Abram (14:16)Jesus frees captives from the devil. (2:14-15)
Melchizedek, the regal priest, functioned under the authority of God’s Most High. (14:18)YHWH tells the Davidic regal priest to sit at his right hand, under his authority. (110:1)Jesus sat down at God’s right hand, the place of authority. (1:3) 
YHWH will make the Davidic figure’s enemies a footstool (a promise of future peace). (110:1)YHWH will make Jesus’ enemies a footstool (promise of future peace). (1:13; cf 2:8)
YHWH stretches forth the king’s scepter from Zion. (110:2)Jesus is God, and the scepter of His kingdom is righteousness. (1:8)
YHWH swore an oath concerning the enduring nature of the Davidic regal priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. (110:4)YHWH swore an oath concerning Jesus’ eternal priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. (7:17, 20-21)
Melchizedek was the first regal priest mentioned in Scripture. (14:18)The Davidic regal-priest functioned after the order of Melchizedek. (110:4)Jesus functioned as a Davidic regal priest after the order of Melchizedek. (5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:17)
Melchizedek’s regal priesthood occurred within a limited historical time frame.The Davidic regal priest was promised an enduring priesthood. (110:4)Jesus functions as an eternal regal priest. (5:6; 7:17, 21, 24)

Adapted from: Herbert W. Bateman IV, Charts on the Book of Hebrews, 2012, p. 96.