The Meaning of Hebrews 5:6 Explained

Hebrews 5:6

KJV: As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

YLT: as also in another place He saith, 'Thou art a priest -- to the age, according to the order of Melchisedek;'

Darby: Even as also in another place he says, Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedec.

ASV: as he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

As  he saith  also  in  another  [place], Thou  [art] a priest  for  ever  after  the order  of Melchisedec. 

What does Hebrews 5:6 Mean?

Study Notes

Melchisedec
.
Melchisedec was a suitable type of Christ as High Priest, because:
(1) he was a king-priest Genesis 14:18 ; Zechariah 6:12 ; Zechariah 6:13
(2) his name means, "my king is righteous" (cf) Isaiah 11:5 and he was king of Salem (i.e. "peace," cf Isaiah 11:6-9 .)
(3) he had no (recorded) "beginning of days" (cf) John 1:1 nor "end of life" (cf); Romans 6:9 ; Hebrews 7:23-25 , nor
(4) was he made a high priest by human appointment Psalms 110:4 . But the contrast between the high priesthood of Melchisedec and Aaron is only as to person, "order" (or appointment), and duration. In His work Christ follows the Aaronic pattern, the "shadow" of which Christ was the substance.; Hebrews 8:1-6 ; Hebrews 9:1-28 .
Salem
Meaning Peace.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).
Melchizedek
Meaning King of Righteousness.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).
Salem
Meaning Peace.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).
most high God
2 "Most high," or "most high God" (Hebrew, El Elyon). "Elyon means simply "highest."
(1) The first revelation of this name ( Genesis 14:8 ) indicates its distinctive meanings. Abram, returning from his victory over the confederated kings ( Genesis 14:1-17 ) is met by Melchizedek, King of Salem. . . The "priest of the most high God" (El Elyon), who blesses Abram in the name of El Elyon, "possessor of heaven and earth." This revelation produced a remarkable impression upon the patriarch. Not only did he at once give Melchizedek "tithes of all" the spoil of the battle, but when the King of Sodom offered other of that spoil to Abram, his answer was; "I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord Jehovah, the most high God El-Elyon, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet," etc. ( Genesis 14:18-23 ).
(a) The Lord (Jehovah) is know to a Gentile king (Melchizedek) by the name "most high god" El Elyon);
(b) a Gentile is the priest of El Elyon and
(c) His distinctive character as most high God is "possessor of heaven and earth."
Appropriately to this Gentile knowledge of God by His name "Most High," we read that "the Most High divided to the nationsthat is, Gentiles] their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam," etc. ( Deuteronomy 32:8 ). As "possessor heaven and earth," it was the prerogative of the Most High to distribute the earth among the nations according to whatever principle He chose. That principle is declared ( Deuteronomy 32:8 ). To the same purport is the use of the name in Daniel, the book of Gentile prophecy; ( Daniel 3:26 ); ( Daniel 4:17 ); ( Daniel 4:24 ); ( Daniel 4:25 ); ( Daniel 4:32 ); ( Daniel 4:34 ); ( Daniel 4:35 ); ( Daniel 5:18 ); ( Daniel 5:21 ).
(2) As "possessor of heaven and earth," the most high God has and exercises authority in both spheres:
(a) the heavenly authority of El Elyon (for example ( Daniel 4:35 ); ( Daniel 4:37 ); ( Isaiah 14:13 ); ( Isaiah 14:14 ); ( Matthew 28:18 ).
(b) the earthly authority of El Elyon (e.g). ( Deuteronomy 32:8 ); ( Psalms 9:2-5 ); ( Psalms 21:7 ); ( Psalms 47:2-4 ); ( Psalms 56:2-3 ); ( Psalms 82:6 ); ( Psalms 82:8 ); ( Psalms 83:16-18 ); ( Psalms 91:9-12 ); ( 2 Samuel 22:14 ); ( 2 Samuel 22:15 ); ( Daniel 5:18 ).
See, for other names of Deity:
( See Scofield Genesis 1:1 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 2:4 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 2:7 )
( See Scofield Genesis 15:2 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 17:1 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 21:33
( See Scofield 1 Samuel 1:3 ).
Melchizedek
Meaning King of Righteousness.
Compare ( Psalms 9:2-5 ).
Salem
Meaning Peace.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).
Melchizedek
1 Melchizedek, type of Christ the King-Priest. The type strictly applies to the priestly work of Christ in resurrection, since Melchizedek presents only the memorials of sacrifice, bread and wine. "After the order of Melchizedek" ( Genesis 14:18-23 ) refers to the royal authority and unending duration of Christ's high priesthood ( Hebrews 7:23 ); ( Hebrews 7:24 ). The Aaronic priesthood was often interrupted by death. Christ is a priest after the order of Melchizedek, as King of righteousness, King of peace; ( Isaiah 11:4-9 ); ( Hebrews 7:2 ) and in the endlessness of his priesthood; but the Aaronic priesthood typifies His priestly work.
most high God
2 "Most high," or "most high God" (Hebrew, El Elyon). "Elyon means simply "highest."
(1) The first revelation of this name ( Genesis 14:8 ) indicates its distinctive meanings. Abram, returning from his victory over the confederated kings ( Genesis 14:1-17 ) is met by Melchizedek, King of Salem. . . The "priest of the most high God" (El Elyon), who blesses Abram in the name of El Elyon, "possessor of heaven and earth." This revelation produced a remarkable impression upon the patriarch. Not only did he at once give Melchizedek "tithes of all" the spoil of the battle, but when the King of Sodom offered other of that spoil to Abram, his answer was; "I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord Jehovah, the most high God El-Elyon, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet," etc. ( Hebrews 6:20 ).
(a) The Lord (Jehovah) is know to a Gentile king (Melchizedek) by the name "most high god" El Elyon);
(b) a Gentile is the priest of El Elyon and
(c) His distinctive character as most high God is "possessor of heaven and earth."
Appropriately to this Gentile knowledge of God by His name "Most High," we read that "the Most High divided to the nationsthat is, Gentiles] their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam," etc. ( Deuteronomy 32:8 ). As "possessor heaven and earth," it was the prerogative of the Most High to distribute the earth among the nations according to whatever principle He chose. That principle is declared ( Deuteronomy 32:8 ). To the same purport is the use of the name in Daniel, the book of Gentile prophecy; ( Daniel 3:26 ); ( Daniel 4:17 ); ( Daniel 4:24 ); ( Daniel 4:25 ); ( Daniel 4:32 ); ( Daniel 4:34 ); ( Daniel 4:35 ); ( Daniel 5:18 ); ( Daniel 5:21 ).
(2) As "possessor of heaven and earth," the most high God has and exercises authority in both spheres:
(a) the heavenly authority of El Elyon (for example ( Daniel 4:35 ); ( Daniel 4:37 ); ( Isaiah 14:13 ); ( Isaiah 14:14 ); ( Matthew 28:18 ).
(b) the earthly authority of El Elyon (e.g). ( Deuteronomy 32:8 ); ( Hebrews 7:2 ); ( Psalms 21:7 ); ( Psalms 47:2-4 ); ( Psalms 56:2-3 ); ( Psalms 82:6 ); ( Psalms 82:8 ); ( Psalms 83:16-18 ); ( Psalms 91:9-12 ); ( 2 Samuel 22:14 ); ( 2 Samuel 22:15 ); ( Daniel 5:18 ).
See, for other names of Deity:
( See Scofield Genesis 1:1 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 2:4 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 2:7 )
( See Scofield Genesis 15:2 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 17:1 ).
( See Scofield Genesis 21:33
( See Scofield 1 Samuel 1:3 ).
Melchizedek
Meaning King of Righteousness.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).
Salem
Meaning Peace.
Compare ( Hebrews 7:2 ).

Context Summary

Hebrews 5:1-10 - Our Divinely Appointed High Priest
Having to act for men, our High Priest must be man, acquainted with human conditions; having to do with God, he must be appointed by God. Is there one of us that is not conscious of liability to ignorance and wandering? We all evermore need the high priesthood of Jesus.
The Aaronic priests must needs make atonement for themselves, but our Lord was without sin. See Leviticus 4:3. Hebrews 5:5 has reference to His resurrection and ascension. See Romans 1:4; Acts 13:33. His priestly service dates from the completion of His mediatorial work on the Cross. No scene in our Lord's life fulfills Hebrews 5:7 like that of the Garden, when it seemed impossible for the human body to hold out under the stress of His anguish. He feared that He would succumb before He reached Calvary. He had to yield obedience unto death in order to learn what obedience really means. Thus as to His humanity He became perfected; and if only we believe and obey, He will effect a perfect deliverance for us from all evil. There is no sin so strong, no need so intricate, that He cannot cope with it. [source]

Chapter Summary: Hebrews 5

1  The honor of our Savior's priesthood
11  Negligence in the knowledge thereof is reproved

Greek Commentary for Hebrews 5:6

In another place [εν ετερωι]
That is Psalm 110:4. It is this crucial passage by which the author will prove the superiority of Jesus to Aaron as high priest. Only the word priest The point lies in the meaning of the phrase “After the order of Melchizedek” But at this point the only thing pressed is the fact of the divine appointment of Jesus as priest. He returns to this point (5:10-7:28). [source]
Thou art a priest forever, etc. []
According to this verse Christ is prophetically pointed out in Psalm 110:1-7as an eternal priest, independent of fleshly descent, a king, and superior in dignity to the Levitical priests. [source]
According to the order [κατὰ τὴν τάξιν]
According to the rank which Melchisedec held. Almost = like. For Melchisedec see ch. 7. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Hebrews 5:6

Hebrews 7:28 A son []
Again the high-priesthood is bound up with sonship, as in Hebrews 5:5, Hebrews 5:6. [source]

What do the individual words in Hebrews 5:6 mean?

Just as also in another [place] He says You [are] a priest to the age according to the order of Melchizedek
Καθὼς καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει Σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισέδεκ

Καθὼς  Just  as 
Parse: Adverb
Root: καθώς  
Sense: according as.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
ἑτέρῳ  another  [place] 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀλλοιόω 
Sense: the other, another, other.
λέγει  He  says 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
Σὺ  You  [are] 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ἱερεὺς  a  priest 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἱερεύς  
Sense: a priest, one who offers sacrifices and in general in busied with sacred rites.
αἰῶνα  age 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: αἰών  
Sense: for ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity.
κατὰ  according  to 
Parse: Preposition
Root: κατά 
Sense: down from, through out.
τάξιν  order 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: τάξις  
Sense: an arranging, arrangement.
Μελχισέδεκ  of  Melchizedek 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Μελχισέδεκ  
Sense: the king of Salem and priest of the most high God, who lived in the days of Abraham.