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without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God), remains a priest continually.

Verse Takeaways

1

A Priest Without a Record

Commentators unanimously explain that "without father, without mother, without genealogy" does not mean Melchizedek was a supernatural being. Instead, it highlights the intentional silence of the Genesis record. Unlike the Levitical priests, whose lineage was essential, Melchizedek's family history is unrecorded. This silence makes him a powerful type of Christ, whose priesthood is not based on earthly ancestry.

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Book Overview

Hebrews

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Commentaries

8

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On Hebrews 7:3

18th Century

Theologian

Without father. The phrase without father (apatōr) means, literally, one who has no father, one who has lost his father,…

AT Robertson

AT Robertson

On Hebrews 7:3

Without father, without mother, without genealogy (απατωρ, αμητωρ, αγενεαλογητος). Alliteration like Ro 1:30, the first two old w…

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On Hebrews 7:3

19th Century

Bishop

Without father, without mother, without descent.—The last words, “without descent” (or rather, without genealogy), throw …

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Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon

On Hebrews 7:3

19th Century

Preacher

Melchisedec just passed across the page; he has no predecessor, he has no successor. We see him in Scripture, and we know nothing of his descent, w…

Expositor's Bible Commentary

Expositor's Bible Commentary

On Hebrews 7:3

The terms “without father” and “without mother” were often used for waifs of unknown parentage, for illegitimate children, for people who came from…

John Calvin

John Calvin

On Hebrews 7:3

16th Century

Theologian

Without father, etc. I prefer this rendering to that of “unknown father,” for the Apostle meant to express something more emphati…

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John Gill

John Gill

On Hebrews 7:3

17th Century

Pastor

Without father, without mother, without descent
Which is to be understood not of his person, but of his priesthood; …

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Hebrews 7:1–3

17th Century

Minister

Melchizedek met Abraham when returning from the rescue of Lot. His name, ���King of Righteousness,��� undoubtedly fitting for his character, marked…