Hebrews 7:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.

NIV: Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

NASB: Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

CSB: Without father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

NLT: There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors — no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God.

KJV: Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

NKJV: 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.

The writer of Hebrews is using the figure of Melchizedek to explain how Jesus Christ offers us a superior covenant with God. As part of that, he seeks to show that Melchizedek is greater than Abraham: Abraham was blessed by Melchizedek and offered Melchizedek tithes. The reference to the priest figure in this verse is this same Melchizedek who the Old Testament describes as king of Salem—meaning "peace"—and as a priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:18).

The Greek phrase used here is a figure of speech and not meant to be taken absolutely literally. By saying that Melchizedek is "without father or mother or genealogy," the writer simply means that his lineage is unknown: he is agenealogētos. This turn of phrase meant a person of unknown or obscure birth, possibly even of low birth. This point is used symbolically by the author of Hebrews, as a parallel to Jesus Christ and His eternality.

As it applies to this section, this relates to the nature of the priesthood. Human priests come and go—they are born, they age, and they die. Their priesthood cannot continue forever. Melchizedek, then, as someone with no recorded beginning or end, serves as a metaphor for the priesthood which God promised: one without end, in a priesthood which lasts forever.

Hebrews 7:1–10 introduces the author's central argument about the superiority of Jesus Christ. Melchizedek, a figure from the story of Abraham in the Old Testament, is the main evidence used. In this segment, the author shows how Melchizedek was superior to Abraham, since Abraham paid him tithes. This has implications for the priesthood of Melchizedek, as well as the priesthood of the Old Testament. Next, the author will show how the priesthood of Jesus, symbolized by Melchizedek, is superior to that of the Levitical law.

When Abraham met with Melchizedek in the Old Testament, he honored him with tithes. This shows that Abraham recognized Melchizedek's superiority. Since the Old Covenant was flawed—based on limited priests and limited sacrifices—it is inferior to the priesthood of Melchizedek, which is unending. Jesus Christ fulfills God's promise to establish a priest ''forever'' in a way which perfectly meets our needs.

Chapters 5 and 6 detoured from the main theme in order to present a warning about faithlessness and apostasy. Chapter 7 returns to the topic of Melchizedek, who represents a mysterious but important moment in Old Testament history. Here, the author will show how Melchizedek was superior to Abraham, and that Melchizedek's priesthood is superior to the priesthood of Aaron. This leads into the next chapters, which show how Jesus Christ perfectly fulfills our salvation in ways which the Old Covenant cannot.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.