The Melchizedek Priesthood

Christ Is Better Than Aaron and the Levitical Priesthood (4:14-10:18) 

The author next returned to the subject of Melchizedek, which he had said they couldn't handle (5:10-11). In great length, the author presented Jesus as “the better” and “superior” to any other priest.

A King-Priest (1-3)

Melchizedek was a person who mysteriously appeared in Genesis 14. While he was a real person, a genuine God-fearing priest of ancient Jerusalem, the author used his poetic appearance in history and subsequent role in the Psalms as a metaphor for the priesthood of Jesus Christ. First, he revealed him as a king and a priest to whom Abraham tithed, and then he gave the meaning of his name, “king of righteousness and peace” (1-2). He also listed the characteristics making him mysterious, just as Christ was mysterious (3).

A Tithe-Receiving Priest (4-10)

The author gave an account of how Jesus received tithes, instead of the Levitical priesthood, because a change in covenants was demonstrated in a change of who received tithes. He used Melchizedek as an example of the greater priesthood by noting Abraham's tithe was given to Melchizedek (4), but further noted that Abraham's grandsons (the tribe of Levi) were in Abraham's loins (10-11), giving tithe through Abraham (5). While Levi was commanded to receive tithe, it would be understood that when the greater priest Melchizedek arrived, he would be, from that moment on, the greater priesthood, and so the inferior would naturally bless the superior (6-7). Both Melchizedek and Jesus were superior because their lives were endless; Levi's life was inferior as he was mortal (8).

An Immortal Priest (11-28)

The author summed up this part of his case: the Levitical priesthood could not bring humanity to their destiny (11)—another was needed—and with another Priesthood came a new law (12). This other Priest did not descend through the bloodline of Levi but from Judah (13); nor was this Priest established based on legal requirements, but His Priesthood was established based on an indestructible life (14-17). The former was set aside as weak, for it could not make humans achieve the goal God had in mind (“perfect”), but the better Priesthood could (18-19).

The author observed that the former inferior priesthood was established without oath, but Melchizedek came with an oath, making Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant (20-22). The old priesthood died off; the new Priesthood would live forever to save and to intercede (23-25). The old priesthood was mortal and sinful, needing forgiveness; Jesus, the superior Priest of a superior covenant, was spotless, separated, and exalted, and He did in one offering what could never be done by many offerings. His Priesthood was established by eternal oath, and He would never cease to be the fulfillment of all God intended Him to be (“perfect”), for He was not from the Law but was the Son of God's oath (26-28).