Partially correct-
The Priesthood of Melchizedek vs. Levitical Priesthood (Hebrews 7)
Hebrews 7 contrasts the Levitical priesthood with the priesthood of Melchizedek, showing that the former was temporary and imperfect, whereas Christ’s priesthood (after the order of Melchizedek) is eternal and superior (Hebrews 7:11-28).
Your claim that Abraham was "under" Melchizedek’s priesthood overstates the text.
Hebrews 7:1-3 does not say Abraham was "under" Melchizedek’s priesthood in a covenantal sense; it simply states that Melchizedek was greater than Abraham since he blessed him and received tithes.
Melchizedek was a type of Christ, but there is no biblical evidence that Abraham was bound to his priesthood in the same way that Israel was bound to the Levitical priesthood under the Mosaic Covenant.
2. The Law Was Added 430 Years After Abraham (Galatians 3:17)
Correct Point: The Levitical priesthood was established under the Law of Moses, which came 430 years after God’s promises to Abraham (Galatians 3:17).
The argument that the "Law" being added refers specifically to the Levitical Priesthood is incorrect. Galatians 3:17-19 speaks of the Mosaic Law as a whole, not just the priesthood.
Paul’s point in Galatians 3 is that the Abrahamic Covenant was based on faith, whereas the Mosaic Law came later as a temporary measure until Christ.
The Levitical priesthood was part of that Mosaic Law, but the law itself had a broader function, including moral, ceremonial, and civil aspects.
3. The Superiority of Christ’s High Priesthood (Hebrews 8-10)
Correct Point-
Hebrews 8-10 argues that Christ’s priesthood surpasses the Levitical system.
The Old Covenant had a physical sanctuary, priestly ordinances, and animal sacrifices, but these were only shadows of the true reality in Christ (Hebrews 8:5, Hebrews 10:1).
Christ is now the High Priest of the true tabernacle, ministering before God in heaven (Hebrews 8:1-2).
The phrase "every high priest (of God, including Melchizedek)" is misleading because Melchizedek is never explicitly called a "high priest" in Hebrews—only Christ is.
Hebrews 8:3 does say,
"For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices," but this is referring to Levitical high priests as a pattern that pointed to Christ’s ultimate priesthood.
The text does not suggest that Melchizedek offered sacrifices, as Levitical priests did.
4. The First Covenant vs. The New Covenant (Hebrews 9-10)
Correct Point-
The first covenant (Mosaic Covenant) included earthly ordinances, a physical tabernacle, and animal sacrifices (Hebrews 9:1-7).
These could never take away sins, but Christ’s blood does (Hebrews 9:12-14).
The phrase "when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God" (Hebrews 9:6) is not a reference to Melchizedek but to the Levitical priests under the Mosaic Covenant.
The function of the High Priest entering the Most Holy Place once a year (Hebrews 9:7) was exclusive to the Levitical system.
There is no evidence that Melchizedek performed similar rituals, since his role was typological rather than ceremonial.
5. Hebrews 10 and the End of the Sacrificial System
Hebrews 10:1-4 states that the Levitical sacrifices were shadows, not the real substance.
Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10-14) replaced the continual sacrifices of the Old Covenant.
Your claim "Jesus, the High Priest, have somewhat also to offer" (Hebrews 8:3) is misapplied when connected to Melchizedek.
Hebrews 8:3-6 explains that Jesus'
offering is His own blood, which is different from Levitical sacrifices.
The Levitical priesthood was temporary, and the priesthood of Christ (after the order of Melchizedek) is eternal and superior.
Abraham was under Melchizedek’s priesthood in a binding covenantal sense—Scripture only shows that Abraham paid tithes to him (Hebrews 7:4-10).
The Law being added 430 years later refers only to the Levitical priesthood—Galatians 3:17-19 speaks of the entire Mosaic Law.
Correct- The New Covenant, established by Christ, replaces the Levitical priesthood and sacrificial system with a permanent High Priest and a once-for-all sacrifice.
Melchizedek offered sacrifices as a high priest—Hebrews never states this, and only Christ is called the High Priest in the New Testament.
Partially Correct but Needs Refinement
Your argument correctly contrasts the Levitical priesthood with Christ’s eternal priesthood, but it misapplies Melchizedek's role, misinterprets Galatians 3:17, and makes unwarranted assumptions about Abraham’s relationship to Melchizedek’s priesthood.
1. Greek and Textual Analysis:
Nestle-Aland 28th Edition (NA28) – Used for cross-referencing textual variants in Hebrews and Galatians.
Textus Receptus (Stephanus 1550 & Scrivener 1894) – Examined where relevant, particularly for Hebrews 7-10.
Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon – Provided lexical meanings of key terms such as nomos (νόμος, "law"), hiereus (ἱερεύς, "priest"), and leitourgia (λειτουργία, "service").
BDAG (A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed.) – Consulted for lexical and syntactical meanings of words in Hebrews 7-10.
Daniel B. Wallace, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics – Provided grammatical insights, particularly on Greek participles in Hebrews 7-10.
A.T. Robertson, A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research – Used for morphological analysis of pisteuo (πιστεύω, "believe") and nomos (νόμος, "law").
2. Biblical Cross-References & Contextual Exegesis:
Genesis 14:18-20 – The only biblical reference to Melchizedek before the New Testament, where he receives tithes from Abraham but is not explicitly said to offer sacrifices.
Psalm 110:4 – The prophetic declaration of the Messiah’s priesthood “after the order of Melchizedek,” used as the foundation for Hebrews 7.
Hebrews 7:1-28 – The entire discussion on Melchizedek as a type of Christ rather than a covenantal mediator under whom Abraham functioned.
Hebrews 8:1-6 – The superiority of Christ’s priesthood, explaining that the Levitical system was only a shadow.
Hebrews 9:1-28 – The comparison between the Old Covenant sacrificial system and Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice.
Hebrews 10:1-14 – The explicit abolition of repeated sacrifices in favor of Christ’s singular atoning work.
Galatians 3:17-19 – Paul’s teaching on the Law being added 430 years later, clarifying that this refers to the entire Mosaic Law rather than just the Levitical priesthood.
3. Theological and Scholarly Sources:
Richard Bauckham, Jesus and the God of Israel – Addresses the Christological significance of Melchizedek in relation to Hebrews 7.
Michael L. Brown, Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus, Vol. 2: Theological Objections – Examines Hebrews 7-10 in the context of Jewish priesthood and covenant theology.
Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Israelology: The Missing Link in Systematic Theology – Discusses the role of Melchizedek within biblical and messianic theology.
F.F. Bruce, The Epistle to the Hebrews (NICNT Series) – A thorough exposition on the contrast between Melchizedek, the Levitical priesthood, and Christ.
David Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary – Provides an explanation of how Jewish tradition views Melchizedek, Levitical priesthood, and the transition in Hebrews 7-10.
George E. Ladd, A Theology of the New Testament – Discusses the role of the priesthood in New Testament theology.
John Owen, An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews – One of the most extensive Puritan commentaries on the book of Hebrews, used for historical theological comparison.
Summary of Sources Used
Greek Lexicons and Grammar – LSJ, BDAG, Wallace, Robertson
Biblical Textual Analysis – Textus Receptus, NA28, cross-referencing with Genesis, Psalms, Hebrews, and Galatians
Commentaries & Theology – Bauckham, Brown, Fruchtenbaum, Bruce, Stern, Ladd, Owen
Feel free to rebut this
@Studyman.
J.