Psalm 110:4
“The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
King James Version
The eternal priesthood after Melchizedek's order, the anchor of Hebrews' argument for Christ's superior high priesthood.
Fulfillment References
Hebrews 7:21 Hebrews 5:6 Hebrews 6:20
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal'The LORD hath sworn... Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.' The Messiah is both King (Ps. 110:1) and Priest — an order older and greater than Aaron's, without beginning or end (Heb. 7). The Lord Jesus is that eternal Priest-King; and the priest who offers and the God who receives are one — God in flesh ministering our salvation.
JewishThe king-priest figure (as Melchizedek united both offices); read of the Davidic king's God-given dignity, with debate over the priestly role.
CatholicChrist the eternal High Priest after the order of Melchizedek — the foundation of Hebrews' priestly Christology and of the Mass (cf. the Catechism).
ProtestantJesus' eternal, non-Aaronic priesthood (Hebrews 5-7), uniting kingship and priesthood in His once-for-all offering.
AcademicPsalm 110 (royal) is developed at length in Hebrews via Melchizedek (Gen. 14); the king-priest combination is the text's striking feature.
Open the full interactive entry →
Cross-references, Hebrew/Greek, Dead Sea Scrolls notes, study tools and multi-tradition analysis in the interactive explorer.
Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, PhD · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.