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The Scriptorium

Name Game

Who was Melchizedek?

Hebrews 7 (1)

Introduction
His rebuke, admonition, and exhortation completed (chapters 5 and 6), the writer returns to a theme he introduced in chapter 5, that of the mysterious Melchizedek. He introduces his argument in this chapter by explicating the name Melchizedek as crucial to understanding this mysterious Old Testament figure. Melchizedek is what is referred to in Biblical interpretation as a type – he was real and important in his own day, but fraught with significance for greater things to come.

Meditate on Psalm 110.

Read Hebrews 7.1-3

Think it through.
1.  As we shall see, the point our writer makes about Melchizedek is very important to his argument about the superiority of Jesus Christ over all aspects of Hebrew religion. Again, why was he working so hard to make this point? You might want to review Genesis 14.18-20. Melchizedek was King of Salem, an ancient name for what would become Jerusalem at the time of David. What was symbolized in his being king of this place? What were the first readers of this epistle seeking by starting to return to Judaism? The King of Peace blessed Abraham. What does this suggest about the sufficiency of Abraham – here symbolizing the Hebrew religion – for providing the rest (peace) the first readers of Hebrews were seeking? Peace (rest) was available, and the readers of this book could know the blessings of peace, as Abraham did, but not by returning to Judaism. 

2.  The name Melchizedek means, in Hebrew, “King of Righteousness.” He who was King of Peace was also King of Righteousness. What does this suggest about righteousness and peace? Were these first readers acting in righteousness by drifting from their faith in Christ? Explain. Meditate on Romans 14.17, 18. Was Paul aware of this close connection between these two terms? The writer of Hebrews also points out that, lacking father or mother or genealogy, Melchizedek was “made like the Son of God” – an eternalking and priest. He was not the Son of God, as some suppose, but he was “made like the Son of God.” Why was it important to make this connection between Christ and Melchizedek? 

Meditate.
“This name, Melchizedek, in the Hebrew and Syriac language means ‘king of righteousness’; he ruled over Salem, and the word Salem is translated as peace. His intention, therefore, is to present him in this way as a type of Christ the Lord: according to the apostle he is our peace, and according to the Old Testament author he is our righteousness.” Theodoret of Cyr (393-466 AD)

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace… Ephesians 2.13, 14

Your Kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit, O Lord! I long to know Your joy and peace, so help me to press on in… 

Pray Psalm 110.1-7.
Meditate on the images used to present Jesus in this psalm. How did David think about Him? How can this help you in looking to and considering Jesus?

Psalm 110.1-7 (Aurelia: The Church’s One Foundation)
“Sit by Me at My right hand,” 
The Lord says to my Lord, 
“Until I make Your foot stand 
On all who hate Your Word.” 
From in His Church the Savior 
Rules all His enemies; 
While those who know His favor 
Go forth the Lord to please. 

Filled with the Spirit’s power, 
In holy robes of love,
From early morning’s hour 
They serve their Lord above. 
Christ reigns a priest forever, 
The King of Righteousness 
And King of Peace who ever 
His chosen ones will bless. 

The Lord at Your right hand, Lord, 
In wrath shall shatter kings, 
When judgment by His strong Word 
He to the nations brings. 
Then, all His foes defeated, 
He takes His hard-won rest, 
In glorious triumph seated 
With us, redeemed and blest!

T. M Moore

For a better understanding of the book of Hebrews, and all the books of the Bible, order a copy of the workbook, God’s Covenant, from our online store. The studies in this workbook will show you how the parts of the Bible connect with one another to tell the story of God’s redemption and glory (click here). To learn more about Christ in His exaltation, order the book,The Kingship of Jesus (click here).

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
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