Bible Discussion Thread

I was hoping to find Chris. I need someone to explain in HEBREW; this subject in Hebrews, this verse on Melchizedek. I need some clarity.

Context Summary

Hebrews 5:1-10 explains how Jesus fits the requirements of a high priest. Earlier verses showed that the Messiah promised by the Old Testament would be entirely human ( Hebrews 2:17). That humanity allows Christ to sympathize with our temptations and weaknesses. Here, the writer of Hebrews points out that this also makes Jesus qualified to be our ultimate High Priest. Because of His humanity, His prayers, His sacrifice for sin, and His appointment by God, Jesus' status is far superior to any other figure.

Chapter Summary

Hebrews chapter 5 completes the previous commentary about Jesus' humanity. His human existence qualifies Him to understand other men and to offer sacrifice to God on our behalf. Jesus also fulfills the roles of both high priest and king, which the author demonstrates by returning to the Old Testament. The figure of Melchizedek is used to illustrate this point: that Christ, unlike any before, was able to be both the kingly Son of David and the High Priest for all people. The deeper meaning of this example, however, may well be lost on the letter's audience, since they are languishing in spiritual immaturity.

Mishael: I'm posting this from BibleRef DOT com

I haven't been able to reconcile this with a teaching I heard long ago. Particularly, that when Jesus came out of the Tomb_and Mary tried to touch Jesus, he told her not to. Reason, He was ascending to Heaven to be made High Priest. Her touching Him would have defiled Him.

I always meant to read this passage in the Hebrew language. If someone here can do that, I would love to Not feel conflicted. Melchizedek received the first tithes.

There are also some Jews who believe that Melchizedek is actually Noah's first son Shem . This is not confirmed to be the case in the Bible .

Hi , I always know what I want to say but I'm not always sure how to say it so please bear with me . We read that Christ is a priest after the order of Melchizedek , Psalm 110 V 4 and Hebrews Ch 5 V 6 . I think this is about neither of them being of the tribe of Levi . Melchizedek is King of Salem ( Jerusalem ) . Melchizedek greets Abraham with...bread and wine . David in 1st Chronicles Ch 15 prepared a place for the ark which wasn't really his job as he's not a Levite either , he also wears a linen ephod in 1st Chronicles Ch 15 V 27 and we n 1st Chronicles Ch 16 V 3 he gives out bread and wine and flesh . There are pointers here to even the future , our future , Rev Ch 5 V 10 , we are not even Jews never mind Levites . What I'm trying to say is , there are deep connections between Melchizedek ,David ,Christ and us . These connections can be found by careful reading and comparing scripture . The connections are , not being Levites , the bread and the wine , being kings and priests . I'm not always very good at explaining , I'm sorry . I'm also not great at remembering scriptural references , sorry again smiley face . Hope I haven't confused anyone .

Hello brother. I wouldn't be able to help with this passage (especially John 20:17) in Hebrew as you would need to find a Hebrew reader who has the 'whole' Bible in Hebrew & not just the 'Tanakh' (Old Testament portions). As you know, the NT was written in Greek, so to read it in Hebrew would require a Jew who has come to faith in Christ & reads the whole Bible in his native Hebrew.

But to John 20:17, brothers Jesse or Giannis would do better than me (for the Greek language), but my understanding of the verse is as follows: I don't interpret the prohibition placed by Jesus on Mary not to touch Him was anything to do with defiling Him. It seems that from Matthew 28:1-10 we learn two things:

a. when they met the Angel who told them that Jesus was risen from the dead, he also told them to "go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead". So, I see that there was an urgency to leave the area & give out this news. And on the way to meet with the disciples, they met Jesus.

b. when Jesus revealed Himself to them, they fell to their knees to "touch" (lit. to grab) his feet/ankles in worship ( Matthew 28:9). But John then describes that event ( John 20:17) & writes that Jesus said to them: "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." Again, that sense of urgency comes up; Jesus had arisen from the dead & was preparing for His Ascension. The Marys holding onto Jesus, to talk/worship Him & keep Him with them a little longer, would only delay this important journey to Heaven. So after this occasion with the ladies & His appearing that same evening on the Lord's Day, I must assume that Jesus went into His Father's Presence in the interim. Therefore, I can't assimilate the fact of Jesus' High Priestly position & the abstention to touch Him of being relevant here. Maybe the other brothers can add or refute my understanding of this event.

I have a new question. Did Joseph or Mar have ancestors from Babylon? If you don't know, I'll search it.

Yes, you may have to search for it, as all we have is Matthew chapter 1 and Luke chapter 3 for the genealogies. And as far as I can ascertain, none of the names listed in those portions (except for Abraham originally from Ur of the Chaldees), leads me to the Babylon area.

I question this memory because aside from what Jesus said about the not touching, there isn't a scripture really to tell us why Jesus had to leave briefly, then return.

It doesn't change my beliefs. That's why I didn't pursue this, 20 years ago. If it was crucial to the Gospel, it would be in the Bible.

To me it feels like a distraction. I don't have enough info to say if it's false or true. Jesus is priest and king. King of kings, Lord of Lords. He said to follow Him. So that's what I'm doing.

If this teaching came from my past Pastor, who turned Apostate, years ago; I have to investigate it. If I heard this, so did alot of other people. It has had no bearing on my beliefs. The Holy Spirit has never said, to pursue this.

I'll research Melchizedek.

I appreciate your time and comment also. The Lord bless you. Amen.

I agree Mishael, that the Word is silent on what took place in that short time after Jesus' Ascension & then return to Earth. The matter in 1 Peter 3:18-20 is often taken as an event during that time, though I see the emphasis in this passage on the Spirit, i.e. Jesus was made alive from the dead by the Spirit and it was by this self-same Spirit that Jesus went to preach to the imprisoned spirits of evil men from Noah's day. Of course, when this took place can be debated.

Assuming then that Jesus went into His Father's Presence after His Resurrection ( John 20:17), the question arises, 'for what purpose?' Again, there's room for speculation & debate, though without clear Scripture, my sense was that the whole period of His Crucifixion, agony in death, burial & resurrection, was a time of great silence in Heaven & waiting anticipation for all that would transpire. The Father Himself chose silence & I can see that the whole host of Heaven were in 'bated breath' awaiting that glorious instance of life from the dead of the Son of God. Then if that be the case, Jesus' Ascension demanded a victory celebration as He entered Heaven's portals as the Victor. A victory over death, over sin's deathly grip, over the limitations of the Old Covenant of Law & assurance of the Covenant of Grace through His Blood, over all satanic endeavours as Jesus takes up His Position (after Acts 1:9) at the Father's right Hand, ever living to make intercession of His blood-bought (through His High Priestly role).

Even as the high priests of old placed themselves between God & the people (during their short life span), offering sacrifices that would withhold God's Anger, so Jesus, in the order of Melchisedek & not Aaron, 'continues forever, having an unchangeable priesthood' ( Hebrews 7:23,24), displaying the marks of His Own Sacrifice on His Body, qualifying Him to be our High Priest forever interceding for us before the Father. Blessings brother in your pursuits.

I can't tell you enough how this blesses me.

Thank you for bringing this wonderful good news. Only a little Time and we'll be with Him.

I was saved on Yom Kippur, and when I think of the Lord at that time reaching down through the muck to pull me up and set my feet on the Rock. I deserved death and received Life. I didn't know who the Holy Spirit was. I just knew someone was helping me get free.

You're so blessed. Your heart, tender towards those who walk in darkness. If lift up the nations that you minister to. GBU

Amen brother - the Lord be praised. Even as we await His glorious return, with the promise in Acts 1:11: "Which (angels) also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven". I feel certain that instead of silence in Heaven as when the Lamb of God was once slain, there will be shouting & trumpet blasts when the Lamb returns to Earth, crowned as Victor, to collect His very own. How we should be living our lives before Him & living expectantly, looking upward & not at the world, that none of us would "be ashamed before him at his coming".

We do praise our merciful Lord for what He has done in your life; coming out of darkness into light - from death into His Life - that can only come from the Spirit of God working mightily in you & since then, through you. May your light continue to shine brightly & illumine many hearts still living in darkness, hopelessness & despair.