Hebrews 5:10

KJV

¶ Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

KJV (with Strong's)

Called {G4316} of {G5259} God {G2316} an high priest {G749} after {G2596} the order {G5010} of Melchisedec {G3198}.

Complete Jewish Bible

since he had been proclaimed by God as a cohen gadol to be compared with Malki-Tzedek.

Berean Standard Bible

and was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

American Standard Version

named of God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 5:10 serves as the climactic declaration of Jesus' qualifications, affirming His divine appointment as a High Priest. This verse solidifies the author's argument that Jesus, having learned obedience through suffering and being made perfect, is uniquely and divinely designated for this eternal office, not according to the temporary Levitical system, but "after the order of Melchisedec," a priesthood of superior and enduring nature.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a significant theological exposition in [Hebrews 5:1-10](/hebrews/5-1-10 "Hebrews 5:1-10 - Qualifications of the High Priest"). The preceding verses meticulously lay out the necessary qualifications for a high priest: being chosen by God, being able to empathize with human weaknesses, and offering sacrifices for sins. The author demonstrates how Jesus perfectly embodies these requirements, notably highlighting that even though He was the Son, He "learned obedience through what he suffered" ([Hebrews 5:8](/hebrews/5-8 "Hebrews 5:8 - Jesus Learned Obedience Through Suffering")) and was "made perfect" ([Hebrews 5:9](/hebrews/5-9 "Hebrews 5:9 - Jesus Made Perfect")). Therefore, [Hebrews 5:10](/hebrews/5-10 "Hebrews 5:10 - Jesus Called High Priest") is not merely a statement but a culminating declaration, a divine pronouncement of Jesus' ultimate fitness and formal installation into His high priestly office, setting the stage for the detailed exposition of the Melchizedekian priesthood in [Hebrews 7](/hebrews/7 "Hebrews 7 - The Superior Priesthood of Christ").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The original audience of the book of Hebrews was primarily Jewish Christians who were grappling with persecution and the temptation to revert to Judaism and its familiar Levitical sacrificial system. For them, the concept of a high priest was central to their religious identity and access to God. The Levitical priesthood was hereditary, based on the lineage of Aaron, and its sacrifices were temporary and repetitive. Introducing Melchizedek was revolutionary, as he was a figure from [Genesis 14](/genesis/14 "Genesis 14 - Abram Rescues Lot and Meets Melchizedek"), a priest-king who predated the Mosaic Law and the Aaronic priesthood, and whose lineage and end are not recorded. This mysterious figure, also referenced in [Psalm 110:4](/psalms/110-4 "Psalm 110:4 - The Oath of Melchizedek"), provided a crucial Old Testament precedent for a priesthood that transcended the Levitical order, thus offering a compelling theological framework for understanding Christ's superior and eternal ministry.

* **Key Themes:** The primary themes converging in [Hebrews 5:10](/hebrews/5-10 "Hebrews 5:10 - Jesus Called High Priest") are **Divine Appointment** and the **Superiority of Christ's Priesthood**. The phrase "Called of God" underscores that Jesus' high priestly office is not self-assumed, inherited by human lineage, or established by human decree, but is a direct, authoritative, and sovereign act of God. This divine calling grants His role ultimate legitimacy and power, distinguishing it from all humanly instituted systems. Furthermore, the declaration that He is a priest "after the order of Melchisedec" is pivotal. This theme, developed extensively in [Hebrews 7](/hebrews/7 "Hebrews 7 - The Superior Priesthood of Christ"), establishes that Jesus' priesthood is not merely different from the Levitical one, but fundamentally superior, eternal, and royal. Unlike the Levitical priests, whose service was temporary and whose lives were mortal, Jesus' priesthood is based on an indestructible life and an eternal covenant, providing a perfect and perpetual intercession for believers ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Lives to Intercede")). This profound theological truth offers the Jewish believers a compelling reason not to return to the shadows of the Old Covenant but to embrace the substance found in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Called (Greek, _prosagoreúō'_):** This verb, G4316, means "to address," "to salute by name," or "to declare." In this context, it signifies a formal, public, and authoritative declaration or designation by God. It emphasizes the divine initiative and the official nature of Jesus' appointment. It's not merely being named, but being formally acknowledged and appointed to a specific role by the highest authority.
* **God (Greek, _theós'_):** G2316, refers to the supreme Divinity. The phrase "Called of God" (specifically "hypo tou theou" - G5259 G2316) indicates divine agency, meaning that God Himself is the one performing the calling. This underscores the absolute legitimacy and unassailable authority of Jesus' high priestly office, as it originates directly from the Almighty.
* **order (Greek, _táxis'_):** G5010, denotes "regular arrangement," "fixed succession of rank or character," or "official dignity." It does not imply a genealogical lineage or a personal succession from Melchizedek, but rather a *kind* or *type* of priesthood. Jesus' priesthood operates according to the unique characteristics, principles, and superior nature that Melchizedek exemplified, as opposed to the "order" (or lineage) of Aaron.
* **Melchisedec (Greek, _Melchisedék'_):** G3198, is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew Malki-Tzedeq, meaning "My King is Righteousness." This patriarch, introduced in [Genesis 14:18-20](/genesis/14-18-20 "Genesis 14:18-20 - Melchizedek Blesses Abram"), was a king of Salem (peace) and a priest of God Most High. His unique, mysterious nature—without recorded genealogy, beginning, or end of days—makes him a perfect type and foreshadowing of Christ's eternal, royal, and non-Levitical priesthood.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Called of God":** This phrase highlights the divine origin and authoritative nature of Jesus' high priestly office. It signifies that Jesus' appointment is not a human decision or a matter of lineage, but a direct, sovereign act of God the Father. This divine calling validates His priesthood as legitimate and supreme, setting it apart from all earthly priestly systems.
* **"an high priest":** This identifies Jesus' specific role and function. Having just detailed the qualifications and perfection of Jesus in the preceding verses, the author here formally declares Him to be the High Priest. This is the culmination of the argument regarding His suitability and readiness to mediate between God and humanity, representing His people and offering the ultimate sacrifice.
* **"after the order of Melchisedec":** This crucial phrase defines the *nature* and *kind* of Jesus' priesthood. It signifies that His priesthood is not in the Levitical tradition of Aaron, which was temporary and based on human lineage, but rather in the unique, eternal, and royal pattern exemplified by Melchizedek. This "order" implies a superior, unchangeable, and everlasting priesthood, one that combines both kingly and priestly functions, perfectly fulfilled in Christ.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews employs several powerful literary devices in this verse. **Climax** is evident as [Hebrews 5:10](/hebrews/5-10 "Hebrews 5:10 - Jesus Called High Priest") serves as the triumphant conclusion to the detailed argument for Jesus' high priestly qualifications (vv. 1-9). It is the definitive statement that pronounces Jesus as the appointed High Priest, having met all divine requirements. **Typology** is central to the phrase "after the order of Melchisedec." Melchizedek functions as a **type** of Christ, a pre-figuring Old Testament figure whose mysterious and unique characteristics (priest-king, without recorded lineage, receiving tithes from Abraham) foreshadow and illuminate the superior, eternal, and non-Levitical nature of Christ's priesthood. This use of typology allows the author to bridge the Old and New Covenants, demonstrating Christ's fulfillment of Old Testament patterns in a way that transcends and perfects them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 5:10 is a cornerstone verse, establishing the unique nature of Jesus' high priesthood as divinely ordained and superior to the Levitical system. This divine calling "after the order of Melchisedec" means that Jesus' priesthood is eternal, unchangeable, and perfectly effective, providing a permanent solution for sin and perpetual access to God. It signifies that the Old Covenant, with its temporary priests and repetitive sacrifices, has been superseded by a New Covenant mediated by a perfect, eternal High Priest. This theological truth assures believers of the absolute security of their salvation and their ongoing access to God's grace through Christ's continuous intercession.

* [Psalm 110:4](/psalms/110-4 "Psalm 110:4 - The Oath of Melchizedek's Priesthood")
* [Hebrews 7:11-28](/hebrews/7-11-28 "Hebrews 7:11-28 - Jesus' Superior Priesthood")
* [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth declared in Hebrews 5:10 offers immense comfort and unwavering assurance to every believer. Knowing that Jesus is our High Priest, divinely appointed by God Himself and operating under an eternal, unchangeable order, means that our access to God is secure and our redemption is perpetually guaranteed. We have a High Priest who not only fully understands our weaknesses and temptations, having experienced human suffering ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus Sympathizes with Our Weaknesses")), but who also lives forever to intercede on our behalf ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Lives to Intercede")). This unparalleled intercession ensures that we are always represented before God, and that we can approach His throne of grace with boldness and confidence, knowing that mercy and help are always available in our time of need ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")). Our faith rests not on a temporary human system, but on the eternal, perfect, and divinely sanctioned ministry of Jesus Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the divine appointment of Jesus as High Priest "after the order of Melchisedec" deepen your trust in His ability to intercede for you?**
* **In what ways does understanding Jesus' eternal priesthood provide greater assurance than the temporary Levitical system?**
* **How does the concept of Jesus learning obedience through suffering (as mentioned in preceding verses) make His high priestly role more relatable and comforting to you?**

### FAQ

**What does "after the order of Melchisedec" mean, and why is it significant?**

Answer: "After the order of Melchisedec" (Greek: *kata ten taxin Melchisedek*) refers to the *kind* or *type* of priesthood that Jesus holds, rather than a genealogical lineage. Melchizedek, introduced in [Genesis 14:18-20](/genesis/14-18-20 "Genesis 14:18-20 - Melchizedek, King of Salem"), was a mysterious figure who was both a king and a priest of God Most High, predating the Levitical priesthood established through Moses. His significance lies in several key aspects:
1. **Non-Levitical:** His priesthood was not based on the tribal lineage of Levi, demonstrating that God could establish a priesthood outside of the Aaronic line.
2. **Eternal/Without Genealogy:** The Bible records no parents, birth, or death for Melchizedek, which the author of Hebrews interprets as a symbolic representation of an eternal priesthood ([Hebrews 7:3](/hebrews/7-3 "Hebrews 7:3 - Melchizedek's Eternal Priesthood")).
3. **Superiority:** Abraham, the patriarch, paid tithes to Melchizedek, indicating Melchizedek's superior status ([Hebrews 7:4-7](/hebrews/7-4-7 "Hebrews 7:4-7 - Melchizedek's Superiority to Abraham")).
4. **Royal Priesthood:** Melchizedek was a king of Salem (meaning "peace") and a priest, foreshadowing Jesus' dual role as both King and High Priest.
This "order" is significant because it establishes Jesus' priesthood as superior, eternal, and perfectly suited to the New Covenant, unlike the temporary and imperfect Levitical system ([Hebrews 7:11-19](/hebrews/7-11-19 "Hebrews 7:11-19 - The Need for a New Priesthood")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 5:10 is a profound declaration of Christ's ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus is not merely *a* high priest, but *the* High Priest, divinely appointed by God the Father, not according to the temporary and earthly Levitical order, but "after the order of Melchisedec." This means that in Christ, the shadows of the Old Covenant find their substance. The Levitical priests, with their repeated sacrifices and mortal lives, could never perfectly atone for sin or provide eternal access to God. But Jesus, as the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, offers a priesthood that is eternal, unchangeable, and perfectly effective. His single, perfect sacrifice on the cross fully atoned for sin, making Him the mediator of a new and better covenant ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Having been made perfect through suffering and resurrection, He now sits at the right hand of God, continually interceding for His people ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")). Thus, [Hebrews 5:10](/hebrews/5-10 "Hebrews 5:10 - Jesus Called High Priest") proclaims that in Jesus, we have a High Priest who is not only fully divine and fully human but also eternally living and perfectly able to save all who draw near to God through Him ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Lives to Intercede")), ensuring our complete and lasting redemption.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 5:5

So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

Hebrews 5:6

As he saith also in another [place], Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 6:20

Whither the forerunner is for us entered, [even] Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.