Melchizedek, a theophany?

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     Was Melchizedek a theophany? The best answer I have come across
is provided by Bro. Daniel Segraves in his commentary on Hebrews Vol
1.

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     Hebrews 7:3. Upon the basis of this verse some have suggested
Melchizedek was an angel, a theophany, or the preincarnate Christ. It
seem best however, to understand the phrase "without father, without
mother" not as meaning Melchizedek had no human parents, but as
explained by the further statement 'without genealogy." To the
Levitical priesthood, one's genealogy was of utmost importance, for it
determined whether one was qualified to serve as a priest. (See
Nehemiah 7:64.) In contrast to the detailed and accurate genealogies
maintained by the Jewish people to assure the purity of lineage for
the Levitical priesthood, there is no record of Melchizedek's
genealogy. This point shows the radical difference between the
priesthood of Melchizedek and of Aaron.

     That Melchizedek did indeed have human ancestors is indicated by
the phrase "he whose genealogy is not derived from them [Levi]" (Verse
6). It suggests that Melchizedek did indeed have a genealogy, but it
was not Levitical, and there was no need to record it since his
priesthood did not depend upon it.

     We should also understand the statement "having neither beginning
of days nor end of life" in view of the previous statement that he was
"without genealogy." That is, there is no record of the beginning of
his days or of the end of his life. The only testimony of Scripture
concerning Melchizedek is to his life, not to his death (verse 8).
This must be the meaning of the statement, for only God Himself has no
beginning of days or end of life, yet Melchizedek included the
statement "Blessed by God Most High, who has delivered your enemies
into your hand" (Genesis 14:20, NKJV) in his blessing of Abraham,
obviously indicating that he was someone other than God.

     If Melchizedek were literally without a human mother, he could
not represent the Messiah in that regard, for Jesus had a human
mother. {**Emphasis mine--WLC**} (See Galatians (4:4.) For that
matter, Jesus had a genealogy. (See Luke 3:23-38.) It was Jesus'
humanity that qualified Him to serve as High Priest (2:14, 17-18); in
order for Melchizedek to be priest, he too had to be a human being.

     The assertion that Melchizedek was "made like the Son of God"
indicates that he was not indeed the actual Son of God but like the
Son of God. His similarity to the Son of God was that he "remains a
priest continually" (NKJV). This description does not mean that he is
a priest eternally, but that--unlike the Aaronic priesthood--there was
no termination to his priesthood. Under the law of Moses, the priest
ceased serving at the age of fifty years (See Numbers 4:3, 23, 30, 35,
43, 47, 8:25.) The priesthood of Melchizedek endured for his lifetime.

The point of this discussion is to show that the high priesthood of Jesus is
to dependent upon the law of Moses. It is completely separate from and
superior to the priesthood as it functioned under the law.

Walter Copes
The joy of the Lord is my strength
(wcopes@communique.net)
Walter L Copes