Hebrews 7:3

Without father, without mother. These words have given rise to the speculation that Melchisedec was some supernatural being, as he must of necessity have been if he was actually without parents, without beginning of days and without end of life. Such an assertion in its totality can be literally true of the persons of the Godhead only. However, it is not necessary to take this view of the wording. The author may simply mean that there is no record of who Melchisedec’s father and mother were.

Without descent. Gr. agenealogetos, literally, “without genealogy.” The Jews were very careful to record and preserve their genealogies. This was especially true concerning the priests (see Ezra 2:61-63). No one could serve as priest unless he belonged to the family of Aaron of the tribe of Levi, and this he must be able to prove without any doubt whatever. If there was a break in the line somewhere, he would be counted out and thus lose the privileges accorded the priests. For this reason every Jew, and particularly the priests, preserved carefully their genealogical records. Of Melchisedec no genealogy exists.

Beginning of days. That is, there is no record of his birth, or of his death, as indicated by the phrase “nor end of life.”

Made like. Or, “resembling.” Melchisedec was a type of Christ. Nothing is known of his birth or death because there is no record of either. All this fits into the picture of Christ, who had no beginning or end of days (see on John 1:1-3).

Abideth a priest. There is no record of the termination of his high-priestly office.