Friday 16 October 2026
- Bible Book:
- Hebrews
Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. (v. 3)
Background
On Tuesday we met the thought that Jesus was a high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Today’s reading refers more fully to the passage in Genesis 14 which we noted then. Our author first unpacks the name. He sees in 'Melchizedek' the joining of two Hebrew words – 'Melek' which means king, and 'Tsedeq' which means righteousness. He also notes that Melchizedek is described as 'King of Salem', which he equates with 'Shalom', meaning peace. This way of understanding a person’s character from their name was widely understood and appreciated. (You may remember another story from Genesis where Jacob, wrestling with a stranger in the middle of the night, asks for his name so he may understand his assailant’s character.)
Our author goes on to reflect on the fact that, unusually, we are never told anything of Melchizedek’s ancestry or his death. He simply appears as 'priest of God most high'; without further elaboration. This suggests both that he was in a unique relationship with God which was beyond mere human priestly office and that his priesthood was not limited to the fixed term of a human life.
Our author’s focus, however, is not really on the enigmatic Melchizedek. He simply illustrates that priesthood was not confined to a specific tribe within Judaism. The risen Christ, appointed by God and now in God’s very presence, is a true and much more effective high priest than could be found in Jerusalem. As Psalm 110 affirms, he is appointed by God and since he is in the order of Melchizedek he displays, as king, the characteristics of righteousness and peace.
To Ponder:
- In Jewish thought names were important and carried meaning. Reflect on Charles Wesley’s line about God, found in his hymn on Jacob’s night of wrestling, that “Thy nature and thy name is love”.
Prayer
“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long.” (Psalm 146)
Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Donald Ker
Donald Ker is a supernumerary minister, originally from Ireland where he served in a number of different appointments. He now lives in Solihull on the Birmingham Circuit.