Hebrews 7:3 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. - Free Bible Online
Hebrews 7:3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he abides a priest perpetually.
3. Without father, &c.--explained by "without genealogy" (so the
Greek is for "without descent); compare
Heb 7:6,
that is, his genealogy is not known, whereas a Levitical priest
could not dispense with the proof of his descent.
having neither beginning of days nor end of life--namely,
history not having recorded his beginning nor end, as it has the
beginning and end of Aaron. The Greek idiom expressed by
"without father," &c., one whose parentage was humble or unknown.
"Days" mean his time of discharging his function. So the
eternity spoken of in
Ps 110:4
is that of the priestly office chiefly.
made like--It is not said that he was asbsolutely "like."
Made like, namely, in the particulars here specified. Nothing is
said in Genesis of the end of his priesthood, or of his having had in
his priesthood either predecessor or successor, which, in a typical
point of view, represents Christ's eternal priesthood, without
beginning or end. Aaron's end is recorded; Melchisedec's not:
typically significant. "The Son of God" is not said to be made like
unto Melchisedec, but Melchisedec to be "made like the Son of God."
When ALFORD denies that Melchisedec was made like
the Son of God in respect of his priesthood, on the ground that
Melchisedec was prior in time to our Lord, he forgets that
Christ's eternal priesthood was an archetypal reality in God's
purpose from everlasting, to which Melchisedec's priesthood was
"made like" in due time. The Son of God is the more ancient, and is the
archetype: compare
Heb 8:5,
where the heavenly things are represented as the primary archetype
of the Levitical ordinances. The epithets, "without father," &c.
"beginning of days, "nor end," "abideth continually," belong to
Melchisedec only in respect to his priesthood, and in so far
as he is the type of the Son of God, and are strictly true of Him
alone. Melchisedec was, in his priesthood, "made like" Christ, as far
as the imperfect type could represent the lineaments of the perfect
archetype. "The portrait of a living man can be seen on the canvas, yet
the man is very different from his picture." There is nothing in the
account,
Ge 14:18-20,
to mark Melchisedec as a superhuman being: he is classed with the other
kings in the chapter as a living historic personage: not as
ORIGEN thought, an angel; nor as the Jews thought,
Shem, son of Noah; nor as CALMET, Enoch; nor as
the Melchisedekites, that he was the Holy Ghost; nor as others, the
Divine Word. He was probably of Shemitic, not Canaanite origin: the
last independent representative of the original Shemitic population,
which had been vanquished by the Canaanites, Ham's descendants. The
greatness of Abraham then lay in hopes; of Melchisedec, in present
possession. Melchisedec was the highest and last representative of the
Noahic covenant, as Christ was the highest and ever enduring
representative of the Abrahamic. Melchisedec, like Christ, unites in
himself the kingly and priestly offices, which Abraham does not.
ALFORD thinks the epithets are, in some sense,
strictly true of Melchisedec himself; not merely in the typical
sense given above; but that he had not, as mortal men have, a beginning
or end of life (?). A very improbable theory, and only to be resorted
to in the last extremity, which has no place here. With Melchisedec,
whose priesthood probably lasted a long period, the priesthood and
worship of the true God in Canaan ceased. He was first and last
king-priest there, till Christ, the antitype; and therefore his
priesthood is said to last for ever, because it both lasts a long time,
and lasts as long as the nature of the thing itself (namely, his life,
and the continuance of God's worship in Canaan) admits. If Melchisedec
were high priest for ever in a literal sense, then Christ and he would
now still be high priests, and we should have two instead of one (!).
THOLUCK remarks, "Melchisedec remains in so
far as the type remains in the antitype, in so far as his priesthood
remains in Christ." The father and mother of Melchisedec,
as also his children, are not descended from Levi, as the Levitical
priests
(Heb 7:6)
were required to be, and are not even mentioned by Moses. The wife of
Aaron, Elisheba, the mother from whom the Levitical priests
spring, is mentioned: as also Sarah, the original mother of the Jewish
nation itself. As man, Christ had no father; as God, no
mother.
JFB.
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The Book of Hebrews
Hebrews 1:1-3 - God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by [his] Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Hebrews 8:6 - But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
Hebrews 11:1-3 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Hebrews in The New Testament - A Brief Overview
Introduction to The Book of Hebrews
Brief Summary. The Main theme of the book of Hebrews can be found in the opening verses. Jesus Christ is clearly greater than anything that the Old Covenant had produced. Jesus is the great high priest, the eternal mediator between God and man who never stops mediating, and is the perfect fulfillment of all prophecies and types and shadows pointing to the Hebrew Messiah within the Old Covenant. The book of Hebrews unveils Christ as the One who is greater than each of the types and shadows that were pointing to him in the Old Covenant. Moses was the great lawgiver, but Christ was the perfect fulfillment of the law. The high priest in the Old Testament offered sacrifices each year, Jesus the eternal high Priest offered himself once and for all. The promises contained in the Old Covenant were for a season, but the New Testament is built on better promises that are forever written on men's hearts.
Summary of The Book of Hebrews
Purpose. The main purpose of the epistle is to establish Christianity as being superior to the Law. The writer exalts the superiority of Christ to angels, to Moses and Joshua, and to the Levitical high-priesthood. The book of Hebrews also makes a contrast between the tabernacle and its sacrifices and the sacrifice of Christ. The write strongly warns the Hebrew Christian to remain faithful to the Christian religion and its principles and to separate from Judaism, which had served its purpose and which was about to lose their rituals, sacrifices, and Temple.
Audience. The writer titles his epistle "To the Hebrews" and every chapter and verse of the book is clearly designed to instruct and encourage those who were Hebrew in blood and had become followers of Jesus Christ. It appears that the Temple was still standing at the time this epistle was written because it is often alluded to.
Author. Unknown, evidence points to Paul. There has been much controversy regarding the authorship of the book of Hebrews. Some say that it was written by Barnabas, others say it was Luke, or Apollos. The author of the book does not state his name, but it is definitely Pauline in style. A greater number of scholars have attributed this book to Paul than any other author. The writer refers to "our brother Timothy" (Hebrews 13:23) and "they of Italy" (Hebrews 13:24). It also appears that the writer was imprisoned, from his request for prayers that he might be restored to his readers. Paul was imprisoned several times and this could refer to any of those. The only absolute conclusion is that which Origen expressed: "God only knows who wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews."
Date. The book of Hebrews was probably written shortly after AD 60.
Place Written. It says in Hebrews 13:24 "They of Italy salute you" and this phrase indicates that the letter was written from Italy. It is probable that the Epistle was written near his second Roman imprisonment, about 60-62 AD.
Outline of the Book of Hebrews
Christ Greater Than the Prophets and Angels - Chapters 1-2
Christ Greater Than Moses and Joshua - Chapters 3-4
Christ Greater Than the Aaronic Priesthood - Chapters 5-8
Christ's New Covenant Greater Than the Old - Chapters 8-10
Faith in Christ Greater Than the Law - Chapters 11-13
The Name Jesus In Ancient Hebrew Text
"Yeshua" in First Century Hebrew Text. This is how the name "Jesus"
would have been written in ancient Hebrew documents. The four letters or
consonants from right to left are Yod, Shin, Vav, Ayin (Y, SH, OO, A).
Jesus is the Greek name for the Hebrew name Joshua or Y'shua which means
"The LORD or Yahweh is Salvation".
Hebrews Maps and Resources
Map of the Roman Empire (14 A.D.) - This map reveals the Roman Empire during the time shortly after the birth of Jesus, in 14 AD at the time of the death of Augustus. The order which prevailed in this extensive empire, the good military roads, and the use of Koine Greek as the general language of culture throughout the area were among the factors which multiplied the rapid spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's First Missionary Journey (48 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia Minor where Paul visited in his first missionary journey. Around 48 AD, in the springtime, Paul and his companions Barnabas and Mark were sent on a mission from the church in Antioch. This would be the first of Paul's Missionary Journey's. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's Second Missionary Journey (51 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his second missionary journey. Paul re-visits a couple cities in Asia, one of which was Lystra where he was stoned and left for dead a few years earlier. He later has a vision that leads him over to Greece and Paul and his companions travel and minister in various cities in Greece (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and Corinth. Later Paul returns to Ephesus and finally to Caesarea and Antioch. (Color Map)
Map of Paul's Third Missionary Journey (54 A.D.) - This map reveals the areas in Asia and Greece where Paul visited in his third missionary journey. On Paul's third missionary journey he returned to the cities he had first visited on his first missionary journey. During this time he decided to remain in Ephesus for about 3 years, and this city was the main focus of his activities and an important Christian community (Acts 19). (Color Map)
Map of the New Testament World - This map reveals the "Nations" within the ancient world during the first century A.D., the time of the New Testament. The map includes the areas of Israel, Asia, Greece, and Italy. (Color Map)
Map of New Testament Greece This map reveals the cities within Greece in the ancient world during the first century A.D.,The map includes the principal cities of Greece like: Athens, Corinth, and Thessalonica, and provinces like Macedonia and Achaia. (Color Map)
Map of New Testament Asia - This map shows the cities within
Asia Minor during the first century A.D., the time of the New
Testament. The map includes the principal cities of Asia
including Tarsus, Ephesus, and Colossae, and provinces like
Galatia and Pamphilia. (Color Map)
Bibliography Information
Free Bible Online Picture Study Bible, King James Version. New York: American Bible Society: www.free-bible.com, 1995-2013. Bible History Picture Study Bible. Dec 22, 2024.
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Table of Contents
Main Menu
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- The Names of God
- The New Testament
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- The Passion of the Christ
- The Pharisees
- The Sacred Year of Israel in New Testament Times
- The Samaritans
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Ancient Questions
- How did the ancient Greeks and Romans practice medicine and treat illnesses?
- What were the major contributions of ancient Babylon to mathematics and astronomy?
- How did the ancient Persians create and administer their vast empire?
- What were the cultural and artistic achievements of ancient India, particularly during the Gupta Empire?
- How did ancient civilizations like the Incas and Aztecs build their remarkable cities and structures?
- What were the major trade routes and trading practices of the ancient world?
- What was the role of slavery in ancient societies like Rome and Greece?
- How did the ancient Mayans develop their sophisticated calendar system?
- What were the key events and significance of the Battle of Thermopylae in ancient Greece?
- What was life like for women in ancient Rome?
Bible Study Questions
- The Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV): Historical Significance, Translation Methodology, and Lasting Impact
- Exploring the English Standard Version (ESV): Its Aspects, Comparisons, Impact on Biblical Studies, and Church Use
- A Detailed Historical Analysis of Language Updates in the KJ21: Comparison with Other Versions
- A Detailed Historical Analysis of the American Standard Version (ASV): Comparison to the King James Version, Influence on Later Translations, and Evaluation of Strengths and Weaknesses
- A Detailed Historical Analysis of Amplifications in the Amplified Bible (AMP) and Its Comparison to Other Bible Translations
- Detailed Historical Analysis of the Amplified Bible Classic Edition (AMPC): Examples of Amplifications and Comparative Analysis with Other Bible Translations
- Theological Implications of the BRG Bible's Color-Coding System: A Comparative Analysis
- The Christian Standard Bible (CSB): An In-Depth Analysis
- The Geneva Bible: Theological Distinctives, Impact on English Literature, and Role in Bible Translation History
- Exploring the Common English Bible (CEB): Translation Methodology, Church Use, and Comparative Analysis
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