Heb 7:3 | TNotes | STEP | 7:3 That we have no record of Melchizedek’s father or mother or any of his ancestors is significant in light of the ancestral requirement upon which the Levitical priesthood was based. He appears from nowhere—it is as though there is no beginning or end to his life . The author is interpreting Gen 14:17-20 in light of Ps 110:4 , which also understands Melchizedek as representing an eternal priesthood. • He remains a priest forever: This contrasts with a Levite, whose priesthood ended when he died (Heb 7:8 , 23 ). • resembling the Son of God: Melchizedek was not an Old Testament appearance of Jesus. Rather, his priesthood and that of Jesus had characteristics in common, in light of Ps 110:4 .

bGen 14:17-20►

cPs 110:4►

dHeb 7:8►

fPs 110:4►

‏ Hebrews 7:3

7:3 ^a That we have no record of Melchizedek’s father or mother or any of his ancestors is significant in light of the ancestral requirement upon which the Levitical priesthood was based. He appears from nowhere—it is as though there is no beginning or end to his life. The author is interpreting Gen 14:17-20 ^b in light of Ps 110:4 ^c, which also understands Melchizedek as representing an eternal priesthood.

• He remains a priest forever: This contrasts with a Levite, whose priesthood ended when he died (Heb 7:8 ^d, 23 ^e).

• resembling the Son of God: Melchizedek was not an Old Testament appearance of Jesus. Rather, his priesthood and that of Jesus had characteristics in common, in light of Ps 110:4 ^f.