Lexical Summary aphomoioó: To make like, to resemble, to be made like Original Word: ἀφομοιόω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance make like. From apo and homoioo; to assimilate closely -- make like. see GREEK apo see GREEK homoioo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apo and homoioó Definition to make like NASB Translation made like (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 871: ἀφομοιόωἀφομοιόω, ἀφομοιῶ: (perfect passive participle ἀφωμοιωμένος (on augment see WH's Appendix, p. 161)); "to cause a model to pass off (ἀπό) into an image or shape like it — to express itself in it" (cf. ἀπεικάζειν, ἀπεικονίζειν, ἀποπλάσσειν, ἀπομιμεῖσθαι); to copy; to produce a facsimile: τά καλά εἴδη, of painters, Xenophon, mem. 3, 10, 2; often in Plato. Passive to be made like, rendered similar: so Hebrews 7:3. (Epistle Jeremiah 4 (5), 62 (63), 70 (71); and in Plato.) Topical Lexicon Linguistic Nuance and Semantic Field The lone New Testament appearance of ἀφωμοιωμένος (Hebrews 7:3) carries an active, intentional sense of “being made like” or “having been likened.” Rather than stating identity, the participle signals designed correspondence: Melchizedek is intentionally framed so as to resemble the Son of God. The verb thus anchors a theological comparison, not an ontological equation. Immediate 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 forever.” (Hebrews 7:3) The author of Hebrews is drawing attention to what Scripture omits in Genesis 14 and Psalm 110 regarding Melchizedek’s lineage and lifespan. By highlighting the silence, Hebrews portrays a priest whose recorded account has no beginning or end, thereby picturing the eternal priesthood of Christ. Typological Function of Melchizedek 1. Lack of Genealogy: Genesis provides extensive genealogies, yet Melchizedek’s absence of record serves as a literary device to foreshadow an eternal priest. By saying Melchizedek was “made like” the Son, Hebrews affirms typology: a divinely orchestrated resemblance set in history to illuminate the Messiah’s superior, everlasting priesthood. Christological Significance • Eternal Priesthood: The phrase underscores the unique, unending nature of Christ’s priestly office (Hebrews 7:24–25). Implications for the Doctrine of Priesthood Christ’s priesthood, foreshadowed by Melchizedek and confirmed by the oath of Psalm 110:4, is: – Perpetual: “He holds His priesthood permanently” (Hebrews 7:24). – Effective: “Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him” (Hebrews 7:25). – Royal: Priest and King unite in one person, fulfilling Zechariah 6:13. Historical Reception and Exegetical Tradition Early Christian writers (e.g., Clement of Alexandria, Augustine) held Melchizedek to be a type, not an incarnation. Later mystical readings (e.g., some Qumran texts, medieval allegory) occasionally blurred this distinction, but mainstream exegesis retained the typological view, grounded in the force of ἀφωμοιωμένος. Reformation commentators (Calvin, Owen) stressed the purposeful likeness orchestrated by God to exalt Christ’s superiority. Practical and Pastoral Applications 1. Assurance of Salvation: The eternality implicit in “made like” guarantees an unfailing intercessor. Summary Strong’s Greek 871 spotlights a single, strategic verb that bridges Old Testament narrative and New Testament fulfillment. By portraying Melchizedek as “made like” the Son of God, Hebrews affirms divine authorship of Scripture’s typology and anchors the believer’s hope in the eternal, superior priesthood of Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations αφωμοιωμενος αφωμοιωμένος ἀφωμοιωμένος aphomoiomenos aphomoioménos aphōmoiōmenos aphōmoiōménosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Hebrews 7:3 V-RPM/P-NMSGRK: τέλος ἔχων ἀφωμοιωμένος δὲ τῷ NAS: of life, but made like the Son KJV: but made like unto the Son INT: end having having been made like moreover to the |
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