Parallels Between Jesus And Melchizedek

Jesus Compared to Melchizedek (Hebrews 7)

11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him,

“You are a priest forever,

after the order of Melchizedek.”

The parallels between Jesus and Melchizedek are based on the biblical passages of Genesis 14:18-20, Psalm 110:4, and Hebrews 7:1-28. Some of the parallels are:

1. Both are called kings of righteousness and kings of peace, as Melchizedek’s name and title mean these in Hebrew, and Jesus is the Messiah who establishes his kingdom in righteousness and peace - 12.

2. Both are priests of God Most High, as Melchizedek was the priest who blessed Abraham, and Jesus is the priest who offers himself as the perfect sacrifice for sinners - 13.

3. Both have a priesthood that is superior to the Levitical priesthood, as Melchizedek received tithes from Abraham, the ancestor of Levi, and Jesus has a priesthood that is based on the power of an indestructible life, not on the law of physical descent - 14.

4. Both have a priesthood that is eternal, as Melchizedek is described as having no beginning or end, and Jesus is the Son of God who lives forever - 15.

These parallels show that Melchizedek is a type of Christ, meaning that he foreshadows and represents some aspects of Christ’s person and work, but he is not identical to Christ. Rather, the author of Hebrews uses these parallels to argue that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecy in Psalm 110:4, where the Davidic Messiah is called "a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek".

Above all, Abraham gave his tithes to Melchizedek.

We give our tithes to Jesus our Lord and Savior.

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