Hebrews 7:3
New International Version
Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

New Living Translation
There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors—no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God.

English Standard Version
He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.

Berean Standard Bible
Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.

Berean Literal Bible
Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but having been made like the Son of God, he remains a priest unto all time.

King James Bible
Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

New King James Version
without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

New American Standard Bible
Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

NASB 1995
Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

NASB 1977
Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he abides a priest perpetually.

Legacy Standard Bible
Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest continually.

Amplified Bible
Without [any record of] father or mother, nor ancestral line, without [any record of] beginning of days (birth) nor ending of life (death), but having been made like the Son of God, he remains a priest without interruption and without successor.

Christian Standard Bible
Without father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
without father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God— remains a priest forever.

American Standard Version
without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God), abideth a priest continually.

Contemporary English Version
We are not told he had a father or mother or ancestors or beginning or end. He is like the Son of God and will be a priest forever.

English Revised Version
without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God), abideth a priest continually.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
No one knows anything about Melchizedek's father, mother, or ancestors. No one knows when he was born or when he died. Like the Son of God, Melchizedek continues to be a priest forever.

Good News Translation
There is no record of Melchizedek's father or mother or of any of his ancestors; no record of his birth or of his death. He is like the Son of God; he remains a priest forever.

International Standard Version
He has no father, mother, or genealogy, no birth date recorded for him, nor a date of death. Like the Son of God, he continues to be a priest forever.

Majority Standard Bible
Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.

NET Bible
Without father, without mother, without genealogy, he has neither beginning of days nor end of life but is like the son of God, and he remains a priest for all time.

New Heart English Bible
without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God), remains a priest continually.

Webster's Bible Translation
Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like to the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

Weymouth New Testament
with no father or mother, and no record of ancestry: having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made a type of the Son of God--this man Melchizedek remains a priest for ever.

World English Bible
without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God), remains a priest continually.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, and having been like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

Berean Literal Bible
Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but having been made like the Son of God, he remains a priest unto all time.

Young's Literal Translation
without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, and being made like to the Son of God, doth remain a priest continually.

Smith's Literal Translation
Without father, without mother, of unknown origin, neither having beginning of days, nor end of life; and likened to the Son of God;) remains a priest perpetually.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but likened unto the Son of God, continueth a priest for ever.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life, he is thereby likened to the Son of God, who remains a priest continuously.

New American Bible
Without father, mother, or ancestry, without beginning of days or end of life, thus made to resemble the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

New Revised Standard Version
Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Neither his father nor his mother is recorded in the genealogies; and neither the beginning of his days nor the end of his life; but, like the Son of God, his priesthood abides for ever.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Without his father and his mother being written in the genealogies, neither having beginning of his days nor end of his life, but in the likeness of The Son of God, his Priesthood remains for eternity.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life, but being made to resemble the Son of God, remains a priest forever.

Godbey New Testament
without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but being made like unto the Son of God, he abides a priest continually.

Haweis New Testament
without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but in exact resemblance with the Son of God, abideth a priest for ever.

Mace New Testament
without father, without mother, without genealogy; his days have no beginning, and his life no end; but like the son of God, he was a perpetual priest.

Weymouth New Testament
with no father or mother, and no record of ancestry: having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made a type of the Son of God--this man Melchizedek remains a priest for ever.

Worrell New Testament
without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like to the Son of God), abides a priest continually.

Worsley New Testament
without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days recorded, nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, remaineth a priest continually.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Melchizedek and Abraham
2and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time. 4Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.…

Cross References
Genesis 14:18-20
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High— / and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, / and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.

Psalm 110:4
The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 5:6
And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 6:20
where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7:17
For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 7:21
but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’”

John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

John 8:58
“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

Colossians 1:17
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and was and is to come—the Almighty.

Revelation 1:17
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,

Revelation 22:13
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Micah 5:2
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.

Exodus 3:14
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”


Treasury of Scripture

Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like to the Son of God; stays a priest continually.

Without father.

descent.

Exodus 6:18,20-27
And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years…

1 Chronicles 6:1-3
The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari…

a priest.

Hebrews 7:17,23-28
For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec…

Jump to Previous
Abideth Ancestry Beginning Continually Continues Descent End Genealogy Life Melchizedek Mother Perpetually Priest Record Resembling Type
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Abideth Ancestry Beginning Continually Continues Descent End Genealogy Life Melchizedek Mother Perpetually Priest Record Resembling Type
Hebrews 7
1. Christ Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek;
11. and so far more excellent than the priests of Aaron's order.














Without father or mother or genealogy
This phrase emphasizes the mysterious and unique nature of Melchizedek, the king-priest of Salem. In the context of ancient Jewish culture, genealogy was crucial for establishing one's identity and legitimacy, especially in the priesthood, which was traditionally passed down through the Levitical line. The Greek words used here, "ἀπάτωρ" (apatōr) and "ἀμήτωρ" (amētōr), suggest a deliberate absence of recorded lineage, which sets Melchizedek apart from the Levitical priests. This absence of genealogy is not to be taken literally but symbolically, highlighting Melchizedek's role as a type of Christ, whose priesthood is not based on earthly descent but on divine appointment.

Without beginning of days or end of life
This phrase further underscores the eternal and timeless nature of Melchizedek's priesthood. The Greek words "ἀνάρχοσ" (anarchos) and "ἀτελεύτητος" (ateleutētos) convey the idea of having no origin or conclusion, which is a stark contrast to the temporal and finite nature of human life and priesthood. In a historical context, this suggests that Melchizedek's priesthood is a foreshadowing of the eternal priesthood of Christ, who, as the Son of God, transcends time and mortality. This eternal aspect is crucial for understanding the superiority of Christ's priesthood over the Levitical priesthood.

Like the Son of God
Here, the author of Hebrews draws a direct parallel between Melchizedek and Jesus Christ. The Greek word "ἀφομοιόω" (aphomoioō) means "to be made like" or "to resemble," indicating that Melchizedek serves as a type or foreshadowing of Christ. This typology is significant in conservative Christian theology, as it highlights the prefiguration of Christ's eternal priesthood in the Old Testament. Melchizedek's likeness to the Son of God points to the divine nature and eternal priesthood of Jesus, who is both King and Priest, fulfilling the roles perfectly and eternally.

He remains a priest forever
This concluding phrase emphasizes the perpetual and unending nature of Melchizedek's priesthood, which is a direct reflection of Christ's eternal priesthood. The Greek word "μένω" (menō) means "to remain" or "to abide," suggesting permanence and continuity. In the context of the New Testament, this eternal priesthood is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who, through His death and resurrection, has become the ultimate High Priest, interceding for humanity forever. This assurance of an eternal priesthood provides believers with confidence in the unchanging and everlasting nature of Christ's intercession and salvation.

(3) Without father, without mother, without descent.--The last words, "without descent" (or rather, without genealogy), throw light on the meaning of those which precede. Not because we find no mention of the parents of Melchizedek is he thus spoken of as fatherless and motherless, but because he is suddenly introduced as priest, without any token whatever that he held the office by right of genealogy, the only claim familiar to Hebrew readers. It is not necessary to adduce proof of the care with which inquiry was made into the parentage of the Jewish priests (Nehemiah 7:64): in their marriages they were subject to strict restraints (Leviticus 21:13-14); their statement of pedigree (in which was given the name not of father only, but also of every mother) must be complete, ascending to Aaron, and containing no doubtful link. He who is a priest "like Melchizedek" holds a priesthood that rests on no such rights or claims. The words that follow are of similar character. No commencement and no close of priestly position or function are recorded in the sacred history. As the Scripture is silent as to his reception of the office, so also as to any transmission of it to another. In these respects "made like (as a divinely ordained type) unto the Son of God," he bears perpetually the character of priest.

There have from the first been many who have been dissatisfied with such an explanation of these remarkable words, and have understood them to ascribe to Melchizedek a mysterious and superhuman existence and character. It has been maintained that he was the Son of God Himself, or the Holy Spirit,--an angel or a Power of God. The last tenet was the distinguishing mark of a sect bearing the name of Melchizedekians in the third century. The feeling that the most startling of the expressions here used must surely be intended to point to more than the silence of Scripture on certain points, is not at all unnatural; but perhaps it is not too much to say that every such difficulty is removed by the consideration that here the writer is simply analysing the thought of the inspired Psalmist. Such an oracle as that of Psalm 110:4 must yield up to him its full significance. The divine words are not to be measured by the meaning which man may at first assign to them. The true import of the prophecy which declared that the future priesthood would bear the likeness of Melchizedek's can only be known when all the characteristics of that priesthood have been traced. The narrative of Genesis was the basis of the prophecy; all that the history presented was taken up in the Psalm.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Without father
ἀπάτωρ (apatōr)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 540: Without (recorded) father, of unknown father. Fatherless, i.e. Of unrecorded paternity.

[or] mother
ἀμήτωρ (amētōr)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 282: (lit: motherless), whose mother's name is not recorded (or known). Motherless, i.e. Of unknown maternity.

[or] genealogy,
ἀγενεαλόγητος (agenealogētos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 35: Of unrecorded genealogy, whose descent cannot be traced. Unregistered as to birth.

without
ἔχων (echōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

beginning
ἀρχὴν (archēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 746: From archomai; a commencement, or chief.

of days
ἡμερῶν (hēmerōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

[or]
μήτε (mēte)
Conjunction
Strong's 3383: Nor, neither, not even, neither?nor. From me and te; not too, i.e. neither or nor; also, not even.

end
τέλος (telos)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5056: (a) an end, (b) event or issue, (c) the principal end, aim, purpose, (d) a tax.

of life,
ζωῆς (zōēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2222: Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.

like
ἀφωμοιωμένος (aphōmoiōmenos)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 871: To assimilate, make like to. From apo and homoioo; to assimilate closely.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Son
Υἱῷ (Huiō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

of God,
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

he remains
μένει (menei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3306: To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.

a priest
ἱερεὺς (hiereus)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2409: A priest, one who offers sacrifice to a god (in Jewish and pagan religions; of Christians only met.). From hieros; a priest.

for
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

all time.
διηνεκές (diēnekes)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1336: Neuter of a compound of dia and a derivative of an alternate of phero; carried through, i.e. perpetually.


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NT Letters: Hebrews 7:3 Without father without mother without genealogy having (Heb. He. Hb)
Hebrews 7:2
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