Deborah W. Rooke, «Jesus as Royal Priest: Reflections on the Interpretation of the Melchizedek Tradition in Heb 7», Vol. 81 (2000) 81-94

In Hebrews’ portrayal of Jesus as a high priest, not according to the line of Aaron but of Melchisedek, there is no reinterpretation of traditional messianic categories. Rather, inasmuch as Hebrews has shown Jesus to be an exalted figure of sacral monarchy, it has depicted him as a truly messianic figure, in whose person the lines of both priesthood and monarchy converge. This is, in turn, entirely consistent with the emphases in Hebrews on Sonship and priesthood, since taken together these are the two major elements of the royal ideology out of which messianism grew. There should, therefore, be allowed more room in Hebrews for royal ideology than traditionally seems to have been the case.

*
* *

        It seems, then, that in this portrayal of Jesus as an alternative high priest, there is no contradiction or reinterpretation of traditional messianic categories. Rather, inasmuch as the writer of the epistle to the Hebrews has shown Jesus as an exalted figure of sacral monarchy, he has depicted him as a truly messianic figure, in whose person the lines of both priesthood and monarchy converge. This is entirely consistent with the emphases in Hebrews on Sonship and priesthood, since taken together these two are the major elements of the royal ideology out of which messianism grew. There should therefore be allowed more room in Hebrews for royal ideology than traditionally seems to have been the case.