Someone asked, “Who was the father of Melchizedek?” This Bible character’s name appears 11 times in Scripture (Genesis 14:18; Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6; 6:20; 7:1, 10-11, 15, 17, 21). None of the passages that refer to Melchizedek identify his parentage. The absence of references to the mother and to the father of Melchizedek or to his birth and to his death is part of why and how Melchizedek is an example of some of the characteristics of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Note that Hebrews 7:3 says of Melchizedek that he was “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” (NKJV). Being a mortal, certainly Melchizedek had a mother and a father. Obviously, he was born and eventually he died. However, none of those particular details have been preserved.
Lacking the details of Melchizedek’s parentage and when he was born or when he died makes him appear to be without beginning and without end. Thereby, Melchizedek in this way mimics and serves as an example of God the Son, Jesus Christ, Who is eternal – without beginning and without end. “And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life” (Hebrews 7:15-16).
In addition, Melchizedek served as “priest of the Most High God” (Genesis 14:18; Hebrews 7:1) under Patriarchy and preceding Judaism with its Levitical priesthood. As such, the priesthood of Melchizedek was perpetual, without end or continual (“forever,” Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6; 6:20; 7:17, 21). More so, the priesthood of Melchizedek was superior to the Levitical priesthood, also a fitting comparison to Jesus Christ, whose priesthood is superior to the priesthood under Judaism (Hebrews 7:1-28).
