Hebrews 7:1-3 stands as the cornerstone passage for understanding the preeminence and perpetuity of the priesthood of Christ, portraying Melchizedek as a type of Christ who surpasses all preceding priestly systems. Although many New Testament scholars have focused on biblical and theological motifs in Hebrews, Thomas Aquinas’ interpretation, rooted in his high Christology, often remains overlooked in contemporary academic discussions. This paper seeks to retrieve and evaluate Aquinas’ exegetical treatment of Hebrews 7. The paper argues that Aquinas’s insights on Christology and Scripture not only enrich one’s knowledge of various hermeneutical approaches to Scripture but also provide a vital resource for contemporary reflections on the Christ-centered nature of Scripture.
In the 22nd question of the Summa Theologiae, Thomas Aquinas discusses the priesthood of Christ, referencing the Epistle to the Hebrews to emphasize its superiority, including passages from Hebrews 4:14, 5:1, and chapter 7. He argues that Christ’s priesthood is both effectual and eternal. Aquinas further elaborates on his argument for the supremacy of Christ’s priesthood in his commentary, referencing crucial Old Testament passages such as Psalm 110 and Isaiah 52-53, which stand behind the high priest motif in Hebrews. These discussions illuminate Aquinas’s perspective on the type-antitype, shadow-substance, and promise-fulfillment dynamics in Scripture. Aquinas’s exegesis of Hebrews 7 clarifies the reasons for his designation as Magister in Sacra Pagina.
This paper unfolds in three movements. First, it examines Thomas Aquinas’s hermeneutical influences and principles, focusing on his synthesis of patristic and medieval traditions. Second, it considers his thoughts on the overarching theme of Hebrews, his use of access and divisio maior, and his typological application of Old Testament texts. Finally, the paper analyzes Aquinas’s exegesis of Hebrews 7, exploring its relevance for contemporary theological reflection, particularly in dialogue with Reformed Christocentric hermeneutics. Elizabeth Reinhardt states, “The supreme theological principle of Aquinas is doubtlessly the conviction of Jesus Christ being the center and summit of Sacred Scripture and ultimately the reason for its unity” (Thomas Aquinas as Interpreter of Scripture, 88).
This paper aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the high priest motif in Hebrews by retrieving Aquinas’s nuanced insights. By drawing on Aquinas’s exegetical conclusions, this paper offers new opportunities for biblical and theological reflections within both Catholic and Protestant traditions.