What is the order of Melchizedek?
"Melchizedek" comes from two Hebrew words (melek, king and tzedeq, righteous) and can be literally understood as "my king is righteous."
The priest Melchizedek appears in three sections of Scripture. He is briefly introduced in Genesis 14:18–20. In a messianic psalm (Psalm 110:4), David addresses the “order of Melchizedek” specifically:
Psalm 110:4 “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind:‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek’”
The author of Hebrews, in speaking of Christ, quotes this verse in Hebrews 7:17.
Hebrews 7:17 For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews chapters 5, 6, and 7 describe the supremacy of Jesus as the Great High Priest, using Melchizedek’s role as an illustration of Jesus’ priesthood and kingship.
The phrase "the order of" is ued in the Bible to point to a lineage. As an example an Aaronic priest would have been a priest according to “the order of” Aaron.
Another translation of Psalm 110:4 says that the Messiah will be a priest “after the pattern of Melchizedek” (NET) or “after the manner of Melchizedek” (ISV).
A priest is a mediator between God and man. Eventually the priest would die, and his work as mediator would cease. Jesus, our High Priest “in the order of Melchizedek,” is not only our mediator but also because of His resurrection, death does not interrupt His work; Jesus remains our eternal High Priest.
Unlike the Levitical priesthood, Jesus' priesthood and His sacrificial work were able to remove sin, cleanse the conscience, and purify the heart.
Just like Melchizedek was both priest and king, Jesus is also both priest and king.
The title of "Melchizedek” will be His forever, and the "order of Melchizedek” is now an eternal order held by an eternal high priest, Christ.
Hebrews 7:28 "For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.”
In summary, Christ's work in redeeming humanity from their sins is a far greater thing than the Levitical priesthood's work in pointing out the need for such a redemption.
The Messiah would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek