Lexical Summary amétór: Without mother, motherless Original Word: ἀμήτωρ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance without mother. From a (as a negative particle) and meter; motherless, i.e. Of unknown maternity -- without mother. see GREEK a see GREEK meter NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and métér Definition without a mother NASB Translation without mother (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 282: ἀμήτωρἀμήτωρ, (ορος, ὁ, ἡ (μήτηρ), without a mother, motherless; in Greek writings: 1. born without a mother, e. g. Minerva, Euripides, Phoen. 666f, others; God himself, inasmuch as he is without origin, Lactantius, instt. 4, 13, 2. 2. bereft of a mother, Herodotus 4, 154, elsewhere. 3. born of a base or unknown mother, Euripides, Ion 109 cf. 837. 4. unmotherly, unworthy of the name of mother: μήτηρ ἀμήτωρ, Sophocles El. 1154. Cf. Bleek on Heb. vol. ii., 2, p. 305ff 5. in a significance unused by the Greeks, 'whose mother is not recorded in the genealogy': of Melchizedek, Hebrews 7:3; (of Sarah by Philo in de temul. § 14, and rer. div. haer. § 12; (cf. Bleek as above)); cf. the classic ἀνολυμπιάς. Strong’s Greek 282 appears once, in Hebrews 7:3, describing Melchizedek as “without father, without mother, without genealogy,” thereby underscoring his unique priesthood that prefigures Christ’s eternal priesthood. Canonical Context: Hebrews 7:3 “Without father, without mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.” (Hebrews 7:3) Here the phrase “without mother” stands beside “without father” and “without genealogy” to stress that Melchizedek’s priestly authority is not rooted in ancestral descent. The author of Hebrews uses this fact to establish a typological parallel: just as Melchizedek’s priesthood is detached from lineage, so the Son’s priesthood is grounded in His eternal nature rather than in earthly pedigree. Old Testament Background Genesis 14:18–20 introduces Melchizedek abruptly—king of Salem and priest of God Most High—without reference to parentage or tribal affiliation. In the Old Testament, priestly legitimacy typically depends on lineage (Exodus 28:1; Ezra 2:61–62). By omitting any maternal or paternal line for Melchizedek, Scripture leaves a purposeful gap that the writer of Hebrews later exploits to highlight a priesthood superior to Aaron’s. Psalm 110:4 anchors the expectation: “The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.’” Christological Significance 1. Eternality: The absence of maternal origin underscores an existence not confined by normal human succession, foreshadowing the eternal Son who has “neither beginning of days nor end of life.” Theological Implications • Sufficiency of Christ’s mediation: Because His priesthood is rooted in eternal sonship rather than lineage, believers have permanent access to God (Hebrews 7:25). Practical Ministry Applications 1. Assurance of salvation: The unchanging nature of Christ’s priesthood assures the believer of perpetual intercession. Historical Interpretation Early Christian writers such as Clement of Alexandria, Hippolytus, and John Chrysostom recognized Hebrews 7:3 as typological rather than literal, guarding orthodoxy from speculative myths about Melchizedek’s origin. The Reformers emphasized the sufficiency of Christ’s priesthood against medieval sacerdotalism, citing Hebrews 7 to affirm justification by faith. Related Cross-References Genesis 14:18–20; Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6–10; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:11–28; John 1:12–13; Galatians 3:29; 1 Peter 2:5–9; Revelation 1:5–6. Summary The singular New Testament use of Strong’s Greek 282 (“without mother”) functions as a deliberate literary device that magnifies the uniqueness and permanence of Christ’s priesthood. By highlighting Melchizedek’s lack of maternal lineage, Scripture proclaims a priesthood grounded not in human descent but in divine appointment—an enduring assurance for all who draw near to God through the Son. |
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