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Hebrews, Language, Teaching

Hebrews 5:1-10 – According to the order of Melchisedek

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Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him,

“You are my Son,

today I have begotten you”;

as he says also in another place,

“You are a priest forever,

according to the order of Melchizedek.”

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

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This is the Epistle selection from the Episcopal Lectionary for the Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost, Year B 2018. In the numbering system that lists each Sunday in an ordinal fashion, this Sunday is referred to as Proper 24. It will next be read aloud in an Episcopal church by a reader on Sunday October 21, 2018. It is important because Paul wrote of a high priest being the designation God gave to Jesus Christ, which is manifest in mortals as Apostles and Saints that have been reborn as that high priest. All become high priests according to the order of Melchizedek.

In this reading one can clearly see how Jesus is a high priest in the order of Melchizedek. The wonder of knowing that is meaningless. If Jesus is a high priest in that order of high priests – where one must assume God was the one who established that order – why do we want to kneel down before a cross nailed to the wall with an icon of dead Jesus hanging from it and pray to a dead and long gone high priest?

“Oh,” you might say, “Jesus didn’t stay dead; he ascended to be with the Father.”

Okay. Then since Melchizedek never died, and always is, like God, why don’t we worship him? Elijah ascended into Heaven without dying, and he appears next to Moses in the Transfiguration. Why don’t we kneel down and pray to Elijah?

Don’t forget Enoch, the son of Jared who fathered Methuselah. He lived for only 365 years, when Enoch “walked with God: and he was no more; for God took him.” That is kinda like Jesus only living 34 years before God took him early in life. Let’s throw some worship towards Enoch too!

Okay, I have been facetious long enough. Jesus is the high priest in the same way that God is the King. God sits on the throne of one’s heart, while His high priest controls the spiritual direction of God’s kingdom (one’s body) as the Christ Mind. Paul wrote of this often; and Paul wrote of this in this reading. If one cannot see this appear from the words Paul wrote (as his spiritual direction from the Christ Mind leading him), then one will never become a Saint in the name of Jesus Christ.

As I have done before and do again now, I have broken down the Greek segments of words (based on pause points), so one can see how each segment should be read as a stand-alone statement that then connects to the next stand-alone statement, and so on. The translations I use are based on the Greek word analysis provided by links in the Bible Hub Interlinear of Hebrews 5.

My translations differ from those set by Bible Hub, which are more inclined to lead one to paraphrase the Greek into seemingly understandable English (American version). However, reading Paul in the manner I have painstakingly prepared makes it easier to see the true intent of his words, rather than some fluffy, warm and fuzzy, misconstrued gobbledygook that is based on preconceived notions of only one can be a high priest in the order of Melchizedek (except the aforementioned others that fit the qualification, not to mention David and Aaron).

Nope. Still not gonna let you kick that ball around.

Here is my literal translation of the Greek segment of words:

1. All for high priest  ,

out from among men being laid hold of  ,

for the sake of men being put in charge  ,

they interfacing with the [one] God so that he should offer gifts not only offerings beyond sinful deeds  ,


2. to preserve moderation in the passions empowered  ,

to those having no knowledge and being misguided  ,

seeing that also the same is surrounding frailty  ;


3. and by reason of them he is indebted  ,

according to the manner in which about those people [of the Lord]  ,

in this manner also about self  ,

to make an offering concerning sinful deeds  .


4. Namely not upon oneself a certain one takes hold of this honor  ,

but instead being name given by the [one] God  ,

according to the manner in which also Aaron  .


5. Thus also the Christ not himself did bestow value to come about a high priest  ,

but one who having spoken referring [to] him  :

Son of mine are you  ,

I today have begotten you  .  [Psalm 2:7]


6. Just as also on another he tells  :

You [are] a priest for the ages  ,

according to the order of Melchizedek  . [Psalm 110:4]


7. Whom in those days together body the same  ,

entreating both and olive branches of peace  ,

towards those who were powerful to rescue him from physical death  ,

after outcry vehement and tears having made a sacrifice  ,

and having been intently heeded  ,

deserting companions godly fear  ,


8. although being Son  ,

he gained knowledge away from this he suffered  ,

those submissiveness  ,


9. also having been made perfect  ,

he was born to all others obeying him  ,

the cause of salvation eternal  ,


10. having been addressed by name under authority one God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek  .

Let’s break this down now.

Verse one, basically, says the plan for a human “high priest,” based on the system established by God, through Moses. Those were physical beings of righteous status who allowed entrance into the holy places and were allowed to offer sacrifices to God and communicate with God, all for the children of Israel.  They are not to be mistaken as the high priests of pagan gods.

Verse two says the purpose for a “high priest” was to be the source of strength for the weak masses. Because of that common lack of knowledge and general tendency to wander and get lost spiritually, God would offer the people guidance and stability for all, through the wisdom given to their spiritual leader.

Verse three then adds that the presence of a “high priest,” for the benefit of the people of God, leaves all the people in debt to God. This is not all people in the world, but those who believe in Yahweh – the One God of Israel. The debt is oneself, such that each individual should sacrifice their self-identity as an offering for their sins. The ultimate purpose of a “high priest” is to remind the children of God of that debt and personal responsibility for their sins.

Verse four is how one receives the title of “high priest.”  In the system of order that Moses set in place, fathers named their children; usually this was some name that devoted a child to service to God. The child did not take credit for a name given to it; but a child was expected to live up to that name. Likewise, the title of “high priest” was a name given by God to His servant, as the ceremonial one who would lead the whole gathering of Israel. As such, the child named Aaron was made “high priest” of Israel by God, the Father. All honor and praise given to that title was due to God.

Verse five then directs this theme of “high priest” to Jesus of Nazareth, who Paul referred to as “the Christ” (or “the Messiah”). Jesus of Nazareth never called himself a “high priest,” because that hat was worn by a rotation of Sanhedrin members (such as Annas and Caiaphas). God made Jesus Christ be a spiritual “high priest,” with Paul using David’s Psalm 2:7 as a prophecy of that anointment. One can then assume that David was also a “high priest” of God in a spiritual sense.

Verse six then has Paul quote another verse from David’s Psalms (Psalms 110:4), where God told David he was a “high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.” There, the Hebrew word translated as “order” (“dibrah”) means, “cause, reason, and manner.” This means it is important to understand that Melchizedek was essentially the physical embodiment of the angel placed at the entrance into the Garden of Eden, after Adam and Eve were banished. That place on earth became known as Salem and/or Zion, where Melchizedek was the King and High Priest. This was also where David was King and spiritual “high priest” of Israel. Thus, Paul compared Jesus Christ to the Holy Spirit that forbids sinners from entrance into Heaven.

Abram meeting Melchizedek in Salem.

This comparison to Melchizedek should be investigated. The name Melchizedek means “King of Righteousness.” Jesus Christ is also called a King, but he said, “My kingdom is not of this world … but … from another realm.” (John 18:36) That makes Jesus the King of Heaven on Earth, as Melchizedek was the King of Salem, which was the earthly terrain on which Jerusalem was built, but the spirituality underneath that terrain was Eden. Seeing this High Priest title as the one who allows entrance into the Father’s kingdom makes it be how Jesus said, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9) That is like the Angel who guards Eden.

Archangel Uriel is said to guard as written: “After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Genesis 3:24)

Verse seven then is Paul explaining how “the order of Melchisedek,” as “high priest” named by God (not an election by men) means a joining together of this Angelic guardian Spirit to the body of a human (as was Jesus of Nazareth joined with the Christ Spirit of God), so both are peacefully as one. This presence is then the promise of eternal life (entrance into Heaven), which is the power that rescues one from mortal death. This does not prevent death of the body; in fact, it promises to bring persecution from those who cry out against such a holy presence, along with the tears offered by those who fear death more than they fear God. Only those who are joined with God’s Holy Spirit can hear His comforting call, fearing nothing but losing that closeness to the Father.

Verse eight then is Paul explaining that even though Jesus of Nazareth was the Son, he was made man. Only by knowing the sufferings of human beings can one gain “high priestly” understanding through the Christ Mind. That spiritual guidance can only be known through complete submission of oneself (self-ego) to God’s Will.

Verse nine says that perfection can only be a result of one’s past sins being erased through baptism of the Holy Spirit, when God sits on the throne within one’s heart-center and the soul has been merged with complete righteousness. Jesus Christ has been born as the “high priest” that must be raised within each of God’s faithful, so only those perfected can return to Eden. All who will be reborn in the name of Jesus Christ will have Jesus Christ as their personal “High Priest.” They will obey his commands, and in return they will be granted eternal life.

Verse ten is then Paul saying that each Apostle and Saint will be addressed by the name of Jesus Christ, which is the title that comes under the authority of God. As such, each Apostle and Saint becomes the embodiment of a “high priest” on the earthly realm. As a “high priest,” one like Paul is another “according to the order of Melchisedek.” This is the ultimate result of “All for high priest.”

As the Epistle selection for the twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost, when one’s own personal ministry for the LORD should be underway – one should have received the high priest Jesus Christ within one’s flesh – the message here is arise to the state of being where God speaks to us individually, telling each and every one of us, “You are My Son, today I have begotten you” as another in the holy order of Melchizedek. Each of us has to be reborn as the Angel that not only guards the stairway to Heaven that Jacob witnessed in a dream, but become the high priest that instructs others what it takes to return to God’s garden.

It is too easy to read Paul’s words here and see Jesus of Nazareth as that very special guy that could put up with the insults, the false claims against him, the scourging, the ridicule as a lowly commoner claiming to be a king, the nails piercing his flesh and bones, the spearing in his side, and the rolling of dice to see who would take possession of a fine robe, too nice to cut into pieces. It is too easy to say, “He was a better man than I (regardless of one’s human gender)” and pretend that Jesus suffered so others could never suffer, while getting the password that gets them past the Angel that forbid Adam from coming back. After all, Adam ate a cookie from the cookie jar after being told not to. Whose sins could ever be greater than that?!?!

The problem with Christianity is having too many people not having a clue what being Christian means. As long as Jesus is the spiritual high priest in Heaven watching over our miserable selves, forgiving all our sins if we believe in the cross of his murder, why should anyone ever try to become Jesus Christ reborn? As long as we let common men stand up on pedestals, proclaiming, “I am the High Priest” (a.k.a. those like Mr. Roman Pope), it is just a matter of paying an indulgence fee and then go out and play. This modern version of Christianity is all about self, with very little being about sacrifice of self to God.

The holy order of Melchisedek has left the building … so to speak. The world had reverted into paganism, where an unknown number of people have posters, icons, and statues made in their likeness. Babies are named after them (when not just randomly chosen letters pulled out of a Scrabble bag arranged in some order).

Those who are given names from the Old Testament (fewer these days) have little idea of the name’s original meaning. Therefore, no one grows into a responsibility to be a servant of God Almighty.

As an accompanying reading to the Gospel reading where James and John of Zebedee asked Jesus to give them the right to be the right hand and left hand of Jesus, when Jesus told them, “You do not know what you are asking. To sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

Newsflash: The preparation was for all the followers of Jesus of Nazareth to be prepared to receive his Holy Spirit and become a high priest.

Maybe the reason is no one is teaching this lesson? Listen carefully to the sermon coming soon to a Christian church near you. See if that message is preached.

Hebrews, Language, Teaching

Hebrews 5:1-10 – The All or nothing about an appointment as high priest

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Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

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This is the Epistle selection to be read aloud on the twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost [Proper 24], Year B, according to the lectionary for the Episcopal Church. It will follow one of two pairings of Old Testament readings with Psalms, either a Track 1 or Track 2 option, based on the path chosen by an individual church for Year B. Track 1 offers Yahweh’s response to Job, after he had complained and was advised by friends. Psalm 104 sings, “Yahweh, how manifold are your works! in wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” Track 2 offers Isaiah’s song of a suffering servant being like a sheep before slaughter silently waiting. Psalm 91 sings, “There shall no evil happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.” All will accompany the Gospel reading from Mark, where Jesus asked the Zebedee brothers, “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

I wrote about this full reading the last time it came up in the lectionary cycle (2018). This past Lent (Year B, Lent 5), verses five through ten were cycled; so, I wrote about the second half of this reading then. The 2018 commentary can be read by searching this site. The commentary from this past Lenten season can be found also by searching this site. Both place focus on the reason why Melchizedek is mentioned; so, both have merit that stands today. I welcome all readers to read both and then compare what my prior observations were, in relation to what I will now add. As always, I welcome reader feedback and input.

Last Sunday from Hebrews we read, “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul kai spirit” (Hebrews 4:12) and “Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our professions [to the marriage agreement – the Covenant].” (Hebrews 4:14) This was written by the same Paul who now spoke more about “Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts kai sacrifices for sins.” (Hebrews 5:1) As the main theme statement for these selected verses, it is imperative to realize the meaning of “every high priest”

The Greek written that begins this chapter is “Pas gar archiereus,” which literally translates as “All indeed high priest.” In that, “Pas” is capitalized, which means it must be read with a divine level of meaning, not as simple conversation. The divinity of “All, the Whole, Every kind of” (Strong’s Definition of “Pas”) is a “Total” commitment to Yahweh, which is not singular, but plural. It is a standard requirement for “All” who will “indeed” be a “high priest.” When one realizes the word “archiereus” is nominative masculine singular, this becomes a divine statement that the one “high priest” is “indeed” that to “All,” with that singularity being Jesus. What is missed in “archiereus” is it can also be expressing the genitive case, where possession is stated, as “of the high priest,” where the first segment of words states, “All indeed of high priest.” That says more than “All” who will let one be his or her “high priest” (a statement of belief), because it now says, “All indeed of high priest,” where the “high priest” (Jesus) possesses “All, indeed.”

Now, the “high priest” who possesses “All” – where that numbering counts “All” who are those “Totally” committed to Yahweh in marriage, as their souls to His Spirit – that is what slices the soul in two, just like a DNA splits to be joined with the DNA of one’s partner in marriage (sperm in egg). Two halves are joined as one, and what Yahweh has joined together let no man separate. The marriage of Yahweh with one’s soul makes a soul in a body of flesh be His forevermore (not just on Saturdays or Sundays, sometimes for thirty minutes of prayer during the week).

When one’s soul-body has been married to Yahweh, then one’s flesh becomes the Temple unto Him. A Temple needs a high priest; so, the marriage brings about the baby Son of God, Jesus, to be resurrected within each and “Every” soul-wife of Yahweh. That “high priest” will likewise be forever joined by Yahweh to the soul of His wives [“All” of them individually], so there will be no tearing asunder allowed there either.

This means the divine importance of “All, Every, Whole” to which Paul wrote “indeed” about is this not only took place after the death of Jesus, but it has been happening since Genesis 1 stated, “In the beginning elohim created.” (Genesis 1:1a) The “high priest” is how John wrote of Jesus: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word.” [“En archē ēn ho Logos , kai ho Logos ēn pro ton Theon , kai Theos ēn ho Logos .”] Therefore, the “high priest” was in Job. The “high priest” was in David. The “high priest” was in Isaiah. The “high priest” was in Paul; and, of course, the “high priest” was in Jesus. The word “All” does not leave anyone out, including YOU, the reader now (once your soul is married to Yahweh’s Spirit).

In the Job reading, it can be confusing, as if Yahweh suddenly forgot all about His knowing at the beginning that His Son Job was up to the task of turning away from Satan, including all his underling elohim sent to confuse Job into forsaking Yahweh. In verse four, where we read Yahweh asking, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding,” it is those not married to Yahweh who read that and stick their tails between their legs, saying, “Rut roh.” The answer for Job is not that weakling response, but his knowing [as a “high priest”], “I was there with You in the beginning. I have always been with You and always will be with You.” All of the questions posed in Job 38 can be answered by “All” of the “high priests.” Knowing the answers is born into “All” of the wives of Yahweh the same way. Only those who refuse to sacrifice themselves [a “self” is a “soul”] in marriage to Yahweh fear these questions.

David sang in Psalm 104 about this presence of Yahweh: “You make the winds your messengers and flames of fire your servants. You have set the earth upon its foundations, so that it never shall move at any time.” In that, the wind is metaphor for the change from sinner to saint; and, the fire is metaphor for the metamorphosis of a mortal in a body of flesh to an immortal soul in the process of losing its flesh forevermore. The “foundations of the earth” is the presence of the “high priest” within “All” Yahweh’s holy wives, where the birth and rebirth of Jesus is the “cornerstone” of faith. That makes “All” be the possession of Jesus, the Son of God, who only do his will as the “slaves” that are Yahweh elohim.

Isaiah knew this divine presence was within him when he wrote: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” Isaiah knew the “high priest” within his soul, which Christians readily identify as Jesus. This says Isaiah knew Jesus long before Jesus manifested in human flesh.

David sang about this presence in Psalm 91, where the lyrics say, “Because you have made Yahweh your refuge, and the Most High your habitation, There shall no evil happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.” The “habitation” and “dwelling” is one’s soul – divine marriage to Yahweh’s Spirit – and one’s body of flesh – the Temple in which Yahweh resides and where the Son is one’s “high priest.”

When Paul wrote, “So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you,” those parts missed is Paul writing “Houtōs kai ho Christos ouch heauton edoxasen genēthēnai archierea.” That literally translates into English to say, “In this manner kai this of Christ not oneself does bestow to be born a high priest.” The capitalization of “Houtōs” divinely elevates the meaning of that word to be a statement of heavenly process that is unchangeable and always present: In this manner … one is like “Aaron,” the first “high priest” of the Tabernacle, who was “called by God.”

Following that divine statement of how one becomes a “high priest” like “Aaron,” “called by God” to serve Him in His “dwelling,” one finds the word “kai” written, which is always a signal word that says, “Be alert, because an important statement is coming!” That important statement says, “this of Christ,” where “Christos” is the genitive case, stating possession. The word “Christ” does not mean ‘the last name of Jesus.” It is a capitalized word that must be seen as a divinely elevated statement of “Anointment.” That says all who will be the wives of Yahweh [His possessions] will then be His “Anointed ones,” or His “Christ” individually. This is then “not” a state of being that “oneself bestows” willingly. It is the outpouring of Yahweh’s Spirit upon those souls He chooses to be His wives. It is then from that divine wedding that the wife becomes the Holy Mother of Jesus, who is “to be born.” This is then what makes one be “a high priest.” By thinking there is only one “Christ,” one misses the full meaning of this statement by Paul.

When Paul wrote, “was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you,” Paul was one of the “All” who had been Anointed by Yahweh; and, Paul was one of the “All” who had then given birth to Yahweh’s Son, Jesus. So Paul was Jesus reborn. Paul could not know that as someone who only read words written on pages, none of which could be explained by men wearing robes. Paul was himself a “high priest” of Yahweh, by appointment by the Father. Because Paul was quoting a Psalm of David, David was also appointed by the Father to be His Son, Jesus reborn, well before Jesus became flesh.

This then led Paul to add another quote from a Psalm of David, writing, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” Now, the naming of Melchizedek makes one look closely at that, in the same way one’s eyes focus solely on “Christ.” What is missed is “priest forever,” from “hiereus eis ton aiōna” [in Greek], which says, “priest to the age.” In Hebrew [transliterated], David wrote, “ḵō·hên lə·‘ō·w·lām” [from “kohen olam”], which means “priest everlasting.” The word written by David that is translated as “order” is “dibrah,” meaning “a cause, reason, manner.” The equivalent used by Paul [“taxin”] means “a regular arrangement” or “an appointed succession.” Thus, this means an “order” or “manner” or “sequence” in which things occur. This takes us back to the capitalization of “Houtōs,” where “the order of Melchizedek” is “In the manner of” Yahweh’s determination.


Melchizedek was the King of Salem, also known as Jebus. Abraham bought a cave from a Hittite; but the cave went underground all the way to Jebus, causing the need for a treaty between Abraham and the Jebusites, one that said he would not attack them from below.

Now, the element of Melchizedek is he was a “priest forever.” This must be seen in the descendant of Adam, who was Enoch. After 365 years in the flesh, Enoch was taken up by Yahweh, without ever dying. This is also thought to be what happened to Elijah (although I now believe he died under the broom tree and was resurrected to eternal life). Jesus was like Elijah, in the sense that his soul has continued to return as the Son of man, in all who are made Christs by marriage to Yahweh and are those who give rebirth to Jesus, since “In the beginning.” Because Melchizedek blessed Abram, making Abram be officially said to be a Son of Yahweh, Paul was speaking as another Son of man, knowing the Spirit is the same in all Holy Sons.

When Paul wrote, “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission,” this is a restatement of the life of Job as well. Paul never knew Jesus (that we know of), as he was a persecutor of the first Jews who believed in Jesus and became Jesus reborn. As Saul, he knew Jesus as well as he knew Job [heard stories]; but as Paul he knew both personally, as all were of “the order of Melchizedek.” All will do whatever Yahweh asks, without question; but all will cry out in love for their Holy Husband, the Father of their “high priest” within.

This Epistle is to be read on the twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost, when one’s own personal ministry for Yahweh should already be well underway, because it is the lesson that all who want to be truthfully Christian must be married to Yahweh and become Anointed by His outpouring of Spirit. One is not Christian by simply memorizing a few quotes of Scripture and attending church a few times a year. Believing in Jesus is selfishness, which helps no one other than one’s self, who finds some false sense of calm from thinking it is okay to sin and go to heaven. Having priests, pastors and ministers to confirm that false belief are headed down the same road to perdition and are careless about the souls of others. One must become Jesus reborn into a body of flesh, which can only be by appointment of Yahweh. One must become His wife [regardless of human gender], so one can become the mother of His Son. One must be made this “In the manner of” everyone holy, since the beginning of time.