20161001 Saturday, October 1 2016
Hebrews 07: When Did Jacobites Become Israelites?

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him"

Although millions of people (including many Jews) typically think so, Abraham was not a Jew. Nor was his son Isaac. Nor was Isaac's son Jacob, who God renamed as Israel. From the children of Jacob / Israel came the Israelites (until the name change, they were "Jacobites"). One of the Israelites was Judah, from whose children came the Jews ("Jew" is merely an abbreviation of the name of their progenitor Judah).

A Biblical reality check:

The term Shemite is derived from Noah's son Shem (see The First Nations Of The New World).

The term Hebrew is derived from Shem's descendant Eber. Eber was a Shemite, and the first Hebrew, but not an Israelite or a Jew because neither existed yet (see From Adam To The Seed Of Abraham).

Abraham was Eber's descendant. Abraham was a Shemite and a Hebrew, but not an Israelite or a Jew because neither existed yet (see A Biography Of Abraham: The Genealogy Of Abram).

Isaac was Abraham's second-born son (see The Birth of Isaac and The Expulsion Of Hagar). Isaac was a Shemite and a Hebrew, but not an Israelite or a Jew because neither existed yet (see The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah).

Jacob, who the LORD renamed as "Israel" (see A Biography Of Jacob: When Jacob Became Israel), was Isaac's son. Jacob was a Shemite and a Hebrew, but not a Jew because Jews originated with his son Judah. The first Israelites were the children of Jacob, or "Jacobites" (see A Biography Of Jacob: The Jacobites Of Syria).

Judah was one of Jacob's twelve sons. Judah was a Shemite, a Hebrew, and an Israelite. The first Jews were the children of Judah (see The First Jews). The descendants of the other eleven of Jacob's sons were not Jews, but were themselves named accordingly e.g. from Levi came the Levites, from Benjamin came the Benjamites and so on.

A key descendant of Judah was King David (see The Anointing Of David), and the key descendant of King David was Jesus Christ. King David and Jesus Christ were Jews (see How Did Israel Separate Itself From The Messianic King?).

It's very important to understand those real-life Biblical facts in order to comprehend the statements made in the Book of Hebrews e.g. the priesthood of the LORD that began before the Levites even existed, let alone when they were set apart for the priesthood (see When Were The Levites Set Apart?). That relationship with the LORD began with "Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God" (see Melchizedek Of Salem) and Abraham (see Before Abraham Was, I AM).

"7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 7:2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 7:3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: 7:6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 7:9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 7:10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him." (Hebrews 7:1-10 KJV)

King David was also one the greatest prophets of the Holy Scriptures (e.g. see David's View From The Cross). Notice again how David is quoted (Psalm 110:4 in verses 17 and 21 below) in the explanation of how the priesthood was always about the Messiah (see The Apostle And High Priest Of Our Profession).

"7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 7:13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 7:15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 7:17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

7:18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. 7:20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: 7:21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)

7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. 7:23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 7:28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore." (Hebrews 7:11-28 KJV)

Fact Finder: How did Abraham expect Isaac to be restored to life after he had been rendered into ashes?
See Isaac: Rising From The Ashes