New International VersionWithout father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
New Living TranslationThere is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors—no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God.
English Standard VersionHe is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
Berean Standard BibleWithout father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.
Berean Literal BibleWithout father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but having been made like the Son of God, he remains a priest unto all time.
King James BibleWithout father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
New King James Versionwithout 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.
New American Standard BibleWithout father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.
NASB 1995Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.
NASB 1977Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he abides a priest perpetually.
Legacy Standard BibleWithout father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest continually.
Amplified BibleWithout [any record of] father or mother, nor ancestral line, without [any record of] beginning of days (birth) nor ending of life (death), but having been made like the Son of God, he remains a priest without interruption and without successor.
Christian Standard BibleWithout father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
Holman Christian Standard Biblewithout father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God— remains a priest forever.
American Standard Versionwithout father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God), abideth a priest continually.
Contemporary English VersionWe are not told he had a father or mother or ancestors or beginning or end. He is like the Son of God and will be a priest forever.
English Revised Versionwithout father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God), abideth a priest continually.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationNo one knows anything about Melchizedek's father, mother, or ancestors. No one knows when he was born or when he died. Like the Son of God, Melchizedek continues to be a priest forever.
Good News TranslationThere is no record of Melchizedek's father or mother or of any of his ancestors; no record of his birth or of his death. He is like the Son of God; he remains a priest forever.
International Standard VersionHe has no father, mother, or genealogy, no birth date recorded for him, nor a date of death. Like the Son of God, he continues to be a priest forever.
NET BibleWithout father, without mother, without genealogy, he has neither beginning of days nor end of life but is like the son of God, and he remains a priest for all time.
New Heart English Biblewithout 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.
Webster's Bible TranslationWithout father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like to the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
Weymouth New Testamentwith no father or mother, and no record of ancestry: having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made a type of the Son of God--this man Melchizedek remains a priest for ever. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWithout father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.
World English Biblewithout 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionwithout father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, and having been like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
Berean Literal BibleWithout father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but having been made like the Son of God, he remains a priest unto all time.
Young's Literal Translation without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, and being made like to the Son of God, doth remain a priest continually.
Smith's Literal TranslationWithout father, without mother, of unknown origin, neither having beginning of days, nor end of life; and likened to the Son of God;) remains a priest perpetually. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWithout father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but likened unto the Son of God, continueth a priest for ever.
Catholic Public Domain VersionWithout father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life, he is thereby likened to the Son of God, who remains a priest continuously.
New American BibleWithout father, mother, or ancestry, without beginning of days or end of life, thus made to resemble the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
New Revised Standard VersionWithout 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. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNeither his father nor his mother is recorded in the genealogies; and neither the beginning of his days nor the end of his life; but, like the Son of God, his priesthood abides for ever.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishWithout his father and his mother being written in the genealogies, neither having beginning of his days nor end of his life, but in the likeness of The Son of God, his Priesthood remains for eternity. NT Translations Anderson New Testamentwithout father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life, but being made to resemble the Son of God, remains a priest forever.
Godbey New Testament
without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but being made like unto the Son of God, he abides a priest continually.
Haweis New Testament
without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but in exact resemblance with the Son of God, abideth a priest for ever.
Mace New Testament
without father, without mother, without genealogy; his days have no beginning, and his life no end; but like the son of God, he was a perpetual priest.
Weymouth New Testament
with no father or mother, and no record of ancestry: having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made a type of the Son of God--this man Melchizedek remains a priest for ever.
Worrell New Testament
without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like to the Son of God), abides a priest continually.
Worsley New Testament
without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of daysrecorded, nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, remaineth a priest continually.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Melchizedek and Abraham… 2and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3Without fatheror motheror genealogy,withoutbeginningof daysorendof life,liketheSonof God,he remainsa priestforall time.4Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.…
Cross References Genesis 14:18-20Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High— / and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, / and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.
Psalm 110:4The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews 5:6And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews 6:20where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:17For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews 7:21but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’”
John 1:1-3In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.
John 8:58“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
Colossians 1:17He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Revelation 1:8“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and was and is to come—the Almighty.
Revelation 1:17When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,
Revelation 22:13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
Isaiah 9:6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Micah 5:2But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.
Exodus 3:14God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
Treasury of Scripture Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like to the Son of God; stays a priest continually. Without father. descent. Exodus 6:18,20-27 And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohathwere an hundred thirty and three years… 1 Chronicles 6:1-3 The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari… a priest. Hebrews 7:17,23-28 For he testifieth, Thouart a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec… Jump to Previous AbidethAncestryBeginningContinuallyContinuesDescentEndGenealogyLifeMelchizedekMotherPerpetuallyPriestRecordResemblingTypeJump to Next AbidethAncestryBeginningContinuallyContinuesDescentEndGenealogyLifeMelchizedekMotherPerpetuallyPriestRecordResemblingTypeHebrews 7 1.Christ Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek;11.and so far more excellent than the priests of Aaron's order.Without father or mother or genealogyThis phrase highlights the mysterious nature of Melchizedek, who appears in Genesis 14:18-20 without any recorded lineage. In ancient Jewish culture, genealogy was crucial for establishing one's identity and legitimacy, especially for priests, who were required to be descendants of Aaron. The absence of Melchizedek's genealogy suggests a priesthood that is not based on hereditary lines, prefiguring the eternal priesthood of Christ, who is not a priest by descent but by divine appointment. Without beginning of days or end of life
Melchizedek's lack of recorded birth or death in the biblical narrative symbolizes an eternal existence. This is not to suggest that Melchizedek was literally eternal, but rather that his priesthood is portrayed as timeless, foreshadowing the eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ. In contrast to the Levitical priests, who served for a limited time due to death, Christ's priesthood is everlasting, as affirmed inPsalm 110:4, which is a messianic prophecy about an eternal priesthood. Like the Son of God
Melchizedek is presented as a type of Christ, serving as a foreshadowing or prefiguration of Jesus. The comparison emphasizes the unique and superior nature of Christ's priesthood. Just as Melchizedek was both a king and a priest, Jesus is both the King of Kings and our High Priest. This typology underscores the belief that the Old Testament contains shadows and types that find their fulfillment in the New Testament revelation of Jesus. He remains a priest for all time
This phrase underscores the permanence and superiority of Melchizedek's priesthood, which is a type of Christ's eternal priesthood. Unlike the temporary and successive nature of the Levitical priesthood, Christ's priesthood is unending.Hebrews 7:24-25 further elaborates on this, stating that Jesus holds His priesthood permanently and is able to save completely those who come to God through Him. This eternal priesthood assures believers of continual intercession and access to God through Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. MelchizedekA mysterious figure in the Bible, Melchizedek is described as the king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He appears in Genesis 14, where he blesses Abram. His lack of genealogy and eternal priesthood are highlighted in Hebrews 7:3. 2. Jesus ChristReferred to as "like the Son of God" in this verse, Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the priesthood that Melchizedek represents. His eternal priesthood is a central theme in the book of Hebrews. 3. SalemThe ancient city over which Melchizedek reigned as king. It is often identified with Jerusalem, a significant city in biblical history. 4. Abram (Abraham)The patriarch who encounters Melchizedek in Genesis 14. This meeting is significant for establishing the priestly order that prefigures Christ's eternal priesthood. 5. PriesthoodThe concept of priesthood is central to this passage, contrasting the temporary Levitical priesthood with the eternal priesthood of Melchizedek and ultimately, Jesus. Teaching Points Eternal PriesthoodThe priesthood of Melchizedek, and ultimately Jesus, is eternal. Unlike the Levitical priests, whose service was temporary, Jesus' priesthood is forever, offering believers eternal access to God. Typology of ChristMelchizedek serves as a type of Christ, prefiguring Jesus' role as both king and priest. This typology helps us understand the multifaceted role of Jesus in our salvation. Genealogy and Spiritual HeritageThe absence of genealogy for Melchizedek highlights the spiritual nature of his priesthood. Believers are reminded that their spiritual heritage in Christ transcends earthly lineage. Christ's SufficiencyJesus, like Melchizedek, is sufficient for all our spiritual needs. His eternal priesthood assures us of His continual intercession and presence in our lives. Faith and ObedienceJust as Abram responded to Melchizedek with faith and obedience, believers are called to respond to Jesus with faith, recognizing His authority and provision. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 7
How does the notion of an eternal priesthood “without beginning of days or end of life” (Hebrews 7:3) align with other biblical texts that emphasize human lineage and mortality for priests?
If Melchizedek “had neither father nor mother” (Hebrews 7:3), how can he be considered a real historical figure without any trace of parentage or lineage?
What is the Melchizedek Priesthood?
In Hebrews 5:6, what archaeological or historical records exist to verify the mysterious priesthood of Melchizedek beyond biblical references?(3) Without father, without mother, without descent.--The last words, "without descent" (or rather, without genealogy) ,throw light on the meaning of those which precede. Not because we find no mention of the parents of Melchizedek is he thus spoken of as fatherless and motherless, but because he is suddenly introduced as priest, without any token whatever that he held the office by right of genealogy, the only claim familiar to Hebrew readers. It is not necessary to adduce proof of the care with which inquiry was made into the parentage of the Jewish priests ( Nehemiah 7:64): in their marriages they were subject to strict restraints ( Leviticus 21:13-14); their statement of pedigree (in which was given the name not of father only, but also of every mother) must be complete, ascending to Aaron, and containing no doubtful link. He who is a priest "like Melchizedek" holds a priesthood that rests on no such rights or claims. The words that follow are of similar character. No commencement and no close of priestly position or function are recorded in the sacred history. As the Scripture is silent as to his reception of the office, so also as to any transmission of it to another. In these respects "made like (as a divinely ordained type) unto the Son of God," he bears perpetually the character of priest. There have from the first been many who have been dissatisfied with such an explanation of these remarkable words, and have understood them to ascribe to Melchizedek a mysterious and superhuman existence and character. It has been maintained that he was the Son of God Himself, or the Holy Spirit,--an angel or a Power of God. The last tenet was the distinguishing mark of a sect bearing the name of Melchizedekians in the third century. The feeling that the most startling of the expressions here used must surely be intended to point to more than thesilence of Scripture on certain points, is not at all unnatural; but perhaps it is not too much to say that every such difficulty is removed by the consideration that here the writer is simply analysing the thought of the inspired Psalmist. Such an oracle as that ofPsalm 110:4 must yield up to him its full significance. The divine words are not to be measured by the meaning which man may at first assign to them. The true import of the prophecy which declared that the future priesthood would bear the likeness of Melchizedek's can only be known when all the characteristics of that priesthood have been traced. The narrative of Genesis was the basis of the prophecy; all that the history presented was taken up in the Psalm.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Without fatherἀπάτωρ(apatōr)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 540:Without (recorded) father, of unknown father. Fatherless, i.e. Of unrecorded paternity.[or] motherἀμήτωρ(amētōr)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 282:(lit: motherless), whose mother's name is not recorded (or known). Motherless, i.e. Of unknown maternity.[or] genealogy,ἀγενεαλόγητος(agenealogētos)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 35:Of unrecorded genealogy, whose descent cannot be traced. Unregistered as to birth.withoutἔχων(echōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2192:To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.beginningἀρχὴν(archēn)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 746:From archomai; a commencement, or chief.of daysἡμερῶν(hēmerōn)Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 2250:A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.[or]μήτε(mēte)Conjunction
Strong's 3383:Nor, neither, not even, neither?nor. From me and te; not too, i.e. neither or nor; also, not even.endτέλος(telos)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5056:(a) an end, (b) event or issue, (c) the principal end, aim, purpose, (d) a tax.of life,ζωῆς(zōēs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2222:Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.likeἀφωμοιωμένος(aphōmoiōmenos)Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 871:To assimilate, make like to. From apo and homoioo; to assimilate closely.theτῷ(tō)Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.SonΥἱῷ(Huiō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207:A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.of God,Θεοῦ(Theou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.he remainsμένει(menei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3306:To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.a priestἱερεὺς(hiereus)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2409:A priest, one who offers sacrifice to a god (in Jewish and pagan religions; of Christians only met.). From hieros; a priest.forεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.all time.διηνεκές(diēnekes)Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1336:Neuter of a compound of dia and a derivative of an alternate of phero; carried through, i.e. perpetually.
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NT Letters: Hebrews 7:3 Without father without mother without genealogy having (Heb. He. Hb) |
