John Bengel Commentary - Hebrews 7:3 - 7:3

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John Bengel Commentary - Hebrews 7:3 - 7:3


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Heb 7:3. Ἀπάτωρ, ἀμήτωρ, ἀγενεαλόγητος, without father, without mother, without genealogy [descent]) The parents, ancestors, children, posterity of Melchisedec are not descended from Levi, as was required to be the case with the Levites, Heb 7:6, and they are not even mentioned by Moses; and this silence is full of mystery, which is immediately unfolded. There are even few of the Levitical priests whose mothers are mentioned in Scripture; but yet their Levitical sanctity (as to their wives) is universally enjoined, Lev 21:13-14; and, at all events, the wife of Aaron, from whom all the priests are descended, is mentioned, Exo 6:23 : and Sarah, the wife of Abraham himself, Isa 51:2.-μήτε ἀρχὴν, nor beginning) The eternity of the Son of God is intimated.-ἔχων, having) with Moses, who nevertheless relates the death of Aaron.-ἡμερῶν, of days) It was not so suitable to say, the beginning of life or the end of days, Heb 7:16, where power is mentioned along with life.-ἀφωμοιωμένος δὲ τῷ Υἱῷ τοῦ Θεοῦ, but made like to the Son of GOD) δὲ, but, properly has respect to the opposition between the negatives, which precede, and the positive, which follows, and takes the former for granted. The likeness of Melchisedec to the Son of God refers both to the former and the latter; but it is also more directly connected with the latter, because it has more reference to the purpose in hand. The Son of GOD is not said to be made like to Melchisedec, but the contrary (vice versa); for the Son of GOD is more ancient, and is the archetype; comp. Heb 8:5, [where in like manner heavenly things are set forth as more ancient than the things belonging to the Levitical priesthood.-V. g.]-μένει, remains) The positive for the negative in respect of Melchisedec: he remains and lives, Heb 7:8 : i.e. nothing is mentioned of his decease or succession. But it holds good in its strict meaning from Christ.