Melchizedek

I learned how to spell Melchizedek. 

M - E - L - C - H - I - Z - E - D - E - K.

Let's quiz your bible knowledge, today.   Guess which chapter I was copying?

This is the chapter where Paul talks about how Abraham gives a tithe to Melchizedek before the tithe was really a thing.  And how the tithe is normally given to the Levites, but Abraham (Levi's father) gave a tithe to Melchizedek - so in a roundabout way Levi, being a twinkle in his father's eye, also gave a tithe to Melchizedek. The chapter continues in the convoluted swirl of how Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek - not the Levites - because Jesus comes through Judah, Levi's brother.

Abraham gives a tithe to Melchizedek, a priest of the most high God. 
Melchizedek is a priest, but not in the traditional group of Levites. 
Levites come from Levi, the son of Abraham.  Who gives a tithe to Melchizedek. 

It's like a snake eating its tail. Or a Mobius strip. Perfectly clear.

After writing Melchizedek so many times I started thinking,
I bet Melchizedek is the most used word in Hebrews chapter 7.

(Did you guess Hebrews 7? Good job, bible scholars.)

But it's not. Melchizedek is not the most common word in Hebrews 7.... 
priest is.  

Melchizedek - only 13 times
Abraham - 8
God - 11
Levi (and Levites) - 7
Priest(s) (and priesthood) - 23  (our big winner)
Moses - 2
Jesus - 5

Melchizedek is a priest.  Levi is a priest. The Levites are priests.  Jesus is a priest, a high priest, in the order of Melchizedek.  Spoiler alert:  I'm a priest, too. You are a priest. We are a kingdom of priests, a holy nation (Ex 19:6).  

Now I need to do some research on priests and get back to you.   



-  Jenn Pete

Writing the Word.
Everyday.
ModernDayScribe