Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this really interesting passage from Hebrews 7:3. It's a pretty complex idea, so we’ll go through it step-by-step. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: “Hebrews 7:3 says that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is different from human priests.” Let’s unpack that: "Without father, without mother..." : This means Jesus wasn't born in a family line. He wasn’t created by a human parent. He came into existence through a divine act – God's plan. "...without descent..." : This refers to the lack of a lineage or connection tracing back through generations. He wasn’t descended from any human ancestor. "Having neither beginning of days, nor end of life;" : This is a bit tricky. It means Jesus didn’t have a start date (like a baby) and he doesn't have an end point (like a man). He exists eternally – forever existing. "...but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually." : This is the key part! He’s identical to the Son of God, but he’s not just a priest, but the priest. Think of it this way: Priest: In the Old Testament, priests were important figures who offered sacrifices to God to atone for sin and maintain a relationship with him. Made like unto... : Jesus is created in the image and likeness of God – just as a human priest is created in the image of God. He's a reflection of God’s nature. Abideth a priest continually: This means he always exists as a priest, perpetually serving God. He doesn’t need to be instituted or established by humans; he's eternally present. So, what does this all mean? Hebrews 7:3 is saying that Jesus Christ fulfills the role of priests in the Old Testament, but better than those priests. He’s not just a temporary representation of God’s law, but a truly divine being who continues to serve as a mediator between God and humanity. It emphasizes the unique and eternal nature of Jesus' priesthood. In essence, it’s saying that Jesus is the ultimate high priest – forever present and eternally serving God. --- To help me explain this further or answer any specific questions you have, let me know: Are you curious about a particular aspect of the verse (like its significance in the context of Old Testament law)? Do you want me to relate it to something else you've learned?