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New Studies in Biblical Theology #60
The Royal Priest: Psalm 110 in Biblical Theology (Volume 60)
Despite its importance in the New Testament and the priestly messianic promise identified by King David, relatively little has been written on Psalm 110 from a biblical-theological perspective. By considering David's biblical warrant for bringing together priesthood and kingship in a single figure, Matthew Emadi shows how we are able to uncover the theological foundation on which Psalm 110 is built. He situates the psalm in Scripture's storyline, showing that Melchizedek's royal priesthood is tied to both creation and redemption.
272 pages, Paperback
Published November 29, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 12, 2023
Over the years, while doing research on Melchizedek, I’ve read many books that dealt with him and his place in the biblical story. This is by far the best one that I’ve read. The author not only discusses the priest and king of Salem, but more importantly, places him in the broader narrative of biblical theology, centered on Christ.
January 16, 2023
The introductory material was slow. The first several chapters felt like they were rehashing topics covered in other works found in the NSBT.
That said this work is worth it’s weight in gold and then some. This work shines in its exposition of Psalm 110, its work with 11Q Melk, and its examination of Psalm 110 in the Gospel of Mark.
That said this work is worth it’s weight in gold and then some. This work shines in its exposition of Psalm 110, its work with 11Q Melk, and its examination of Psalm 110 in the Gospel of Mark.
October 22, 2024
Loved this book! Gave me a bigger view of Jesus and helped me put the Bible together. Thinking of Melchizedek as being the priest associated with the Abrahamic covenant was a really helpful insight, and there are some fascinating connections with the Davidic covenant and conquest of Joshua to the Psalm 110 figure. Some points I wasn’t convinced by (and the author was clear when he was being more speculative), but the big picture was really helpful. I really enjoyed the chapter on Mark and thinking about how Mark presents Jesus as the Psalm 110 priest. The chapter on Hebrews was dense but had helpful insights.
Strongly recommend - another NSBT banger.
Strongly recommend - another NSBT banger.
September 23, 2023
Biblical Theology shines in this latest NSBT series. Every volume in this series flourishes with information for the Bible student, yet some of them sing. This one sings.
This volume is not a retread of God’s Mediators, an earlier entry in this series, but something that dives into the the idea of priesthood at its loftiest heights in Melchizedek, the divinely intertwined ideas of king and priest, its standing with the Levitical priesthood, and all coalescing in Psalm 110.
Pages 4-5 outline what Emadi is up to, so you shouldn’t go astray. It’s deep wading so read slowly. My only caveat is the sometimes overly academic language. There’s no need to hide treasure behind rocks. At times, I wonder if these authors are writing exclusively for Mr. D.A. Carson, the editor, or at least, only for colleagues. It’s us regular Jimmy and Joes who can most use a book like this to advantage. Still, the flow of argument is good and what is shared is golden.
In the middle of the book there’s a full-blown exegesis of Psalm 110 (it’s needed), but then he goes back (after a side trip to the intertestamental period) to the big picture again with the New Testament. Jesus in Mark’s Gospel and the Book of Hebrews serves as the framework.
As far as I’m concerned the NSBT series can keep entries like this one coming!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
This volume is not a retread of God’s Mediators, an earlier entry in this series, but something that dives into the the idea of priesthood at its loftiest heights in Melchizedek, the divinely intertwined ideas of king and priest, its standing with the Levitical priesthood, and all coalescing in Psalm 110.
Pages 4-5 outline what Emadi is up to, so you shouldn’t go astray. It’s deep wading so read slowly. My only caveat is the sometimes overly academic language. There’s no need to hide treasure behind rocks. At times, I wonder if these authors are writing exclusively for Mr. D.A. Carson, the editor, or at least, only for colleagues. It’s us regular Jimmy and Joes who can most use a book like this to advantage. Still, the flow of argument is good and what is shared is golden.
In the middle of the book there’s a full-blown exegesis of Psalm 110 (it’s needed), but then he goes back (after a side trip to the intertestamental period) to the big picture again with the New Testament. Jesus in Mark’s Gospel and the Book of Hebrews serves as the framework.
As far as I’m concerned the NSBT series can keep entries like this one coming!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
December 31, 2022
Full of insights and easy to read. The chapter on Hebrews was particularly enjoyable. But also some missteps along the way (speculative exegesis in many places, failure to differentiate clearly between Davidic and new covenants). And for a book that is all about how the office of king and priest are joined together, it is strange that there is no discussion of why they were separated under the Mosaic law.
October 20, 2024
Summary: A study of the theme of the priest king of Psalm 110, tracing this idea from Genesis through the New Testament.
Do you know the most quoted Old Testament verse in the New Testament? It is Psalm 110:1:
“The Lord says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’ ” (NIV)
In this Psalm, David describes a figure who is at once a royal king and a priest. He likens him to the “order of Melchizedek.” In Genesis 14, Melchizedek, the King of Salem who is also a priest of “God Most High,” meets Abraham after the rescue of Lot and the people of Sodom. This king-priest brings bread and wine and blesses Abraham, who in turn offers a tenth of the battle spoils to Melchizedek. Despite seeming an important figure, Melchizedek is not mentioned again except for Psalm 110:4 and several times in the book of Hebrews.
The union of a priest and king in one person seems an anomaly, particularly in light of the Aaronic priesthood. Matthew Emadi traces the theme of the royal priest throughout the scripture, with Psalm 110 as a lens. Throughout, he traces how the royal priest figure serves as a mediator of God’s covenantal relationship with his people.
He begins with Adam, God’s vicegerent on earth and priest of his royal temple in Eden. Emadi then shows how the figure of priest king is developed in Noah, Abraham and Melchizedek. He explains how Israel is a “royal priesthood” and “holy nation,” represented in the Aaronic priesthood.
Then Emadi focuses on Psalm 110. As David grapples with the implications of God’s promises, he turns back to Genesis 14. Only a greater son who is a royal priest like Melchizedek can bless the nations. Only such a figure can fulfill this promise to Abraham. Emadi unpacks all this in a chapter exegeting Psalm 110.
Before turning to the New Testament references to Psalm 110, he considers how Psalm 110 influenced intertestamental writing. On one hand, the Psalm is never quoted. But he shows a number of passages in which messianic hopes reflect kingly and priestly elements. 11QMelchizedek is most significant in its description of a king-priest, Melchizedek “who rules the nations, conquers satanic forces of evil and provides atonement for the sins of his people.”
Turning to the New Testament, Emadi first considers the two references to Psalm 110 in Mark. The first (12:36) is in the temple, the second (14:62) at the trial of Jesus, both self-referential. Emadi outlines Jesus’ priestly ministry in Mark while proclaiming the kingdom. These elements converge on the cross as he “ushers in the kingdom through his covenant sacrifice.”
Finally, Hebrews reveals Jesus as the superior royal priest after the order of Melchizedek. He mediates a superior covenant through a superior sacrifice. And he rules at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Emadi concludes this study by outlining the eschatological, ecclesiological, and apologetic implications of this biblical theme. He questions the idea of a thousand year earthly reign of Jesus in the millennium as a step backwards from his heavenly royal session. He explores how the church mediates the royal priestly authority of Jesus in the world through gospel proclamation and the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s table. Finally, he shows the apologetic relevance of Christ’s royal priesthood in the Latter Day Saints context in which he works in Utah, where priesthood and temple are important elements.
Matthew Emadi offers a rich study of an important biblical theme. He starts with the puzzle of how one person could unite the roles of king and priest. Then he discusses how this is God’s intent throughout scripture. Royal priesthood is evident in the mediating of every covenant. It culminates in Jesus, the royal priest, a superior fulfilment of all that was anticipated from Adam to David. In so doing, he demonstrates once again how it is one great story that unfolds in the many stories of scripture.
____________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.
Do you know the most quoted Old Testament verse in the New Testament? It is Psalm 110:1:
“The Lord says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’ ” (NIV)
In this Psalm, David describes a figure who is at once a royal king and a priest. He likens him to the “order of Melchizedek.” In Genesis 14, Melchizedek, the King of Salem who is also a priest of “God Most High,” meets Abraham after the rescue of Lot and the people of Sodom. This king-priest brings bread and wine and blesses Abraham, who in turn offers a tenth of the battle spoils to Melchizedek. Despite seeming an important figure, Melchizedek is not mentioned again except for Psalm 110:4 and several times in the book of Hebrews.
The union of a priest and king in one person seems an anomaly, particularly in light of the Aaronic priesthood. Matthew Emadi traces the theme of the royal priest throughout the scripture, with Psalm 110 as a lens. Throughout, he traces how the royal priest figure serves as a mediator of God’s covenantal relationship with his people.
He begins with Adam, God’s vicegerent on earth and priest of his royal temple in Eden. Emadi then shows how the figure of priest king is developed in Noah, Abraham and Melchizedek. He explains how Israel is a “royal priesthood” and “holy nation,” represented in the Aaronic priesthood.
Then Emadi focuses on Psalm 110. As David grapples with the implications of God’s promises, he turns back to Genesis 14. Only a greater son who is a royal priest like Melchizedek can bless the nations. Only such a figure can fulfill this promise to Abraham. Emadi unpacks all this in a chapter exegeting Psalm 110.
Before turning to the New Testament references to Psalm 110, he considers how Psalm 110 influenced intertestamental writing. On one hand, the Psalm is never quoted. But he shows a number of passages in which messianic hopes reflect kingly and priestly elements. 11QMelchizedek is most significant in its description of a king-priest, Melchizedek “who rules the nations, conquers satanic forces of evil and provides atonement for the sins of his people.”
Turning to the New Testament, Emadi first considers the two references to Psalm 110 in Mark. The first (12:36) is in the temple, the second (14:62) at the trial of Jesus, both self-referential. Emadi outlines Jesus’ priestly ministry in Mark while proclaiming the kingdom. These elements converge on the cross as he “ushers in the kingdom through his covenant sacrifice.”
Finally, Hebrews reveals Jesus as the superior royal priest after the order of Melchizedek. He mediates a superior covenant through a superior sacrifice. And he rules at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Emadi concludes this study by outlining the eschatological, ecclesiological, and apologetic implications of this biblical theme. He questions the idea of a thousand year earthly reign of Jesus in the millennium as a step backwards from his heavenly royal session. He explores how the church mediates the royal priestly authority of Jesus in the world through gospel proclamation and the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s table. Finally, he shows the apologetic relevance of Christ’s royal priesthood in the Latter Day Saints context in which he works in Utah, where priesthood and temple are important elements.
Matthew Emadi offers a rich study of an important biblical theme. He starts with the puzzle of how one person could unite the roles of king and priest. Then he discusses how this is God’s intent throughout scripture. Royal priesthood is evident in the mediating of every covenant. It culminates in Jesus, the royal priest, a superior fulfilment of all that was anticipated from Adam to David. In so doing, he demonstrates once again how it is one great story that unfolds in the many stories of scripture.
____________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.
March 24, 2025
This is a slight step back in quality from Andrew Malone’s treatment of the priesthood in its entirety. However, I grew to love this book once Emadi started talking about the New Testament.
At its root, the main issue I have is in how Emadi insists on his interpretation of OT passages as being ‘likely’ or ‘probable’ on the basis of other OT passages. The number of times that Emadi claims ‘David clearly had Psalm 2 in mind when he wrote this…’ or something along those lines, is frustrating and threatens to damage his overall argument.
Just like Malone, I don’t understand why Emadi doesn’t set the boundaries of the royal priesthood and then examine the actions by the definition. We know what a priest is; we know what a king is. A priest-king does both things.
Emadi does do this later, specifically in regard to Mark and Hebrews (which are his best chapters), but struggles to justify his first 5 chapters in the process.
Those two small issues prevent this from being a book I would recommend to everyone— there are points in reading this where I feel like the information isn’t actually helping to build the main argument— but it’s a book I respect and am happy to have read. I am preaching through Hebrews, and his commentary in various passages shed light on Christ the High Priest, which I am happy to have read.
I love the focus on eschatology in the covenantal framework. It’s not the purpose of his book, but I think his question to dispensationalism— how can God be our High Priest if He is on earth?— is a GREAT question that belies an interesting conundrum for dispies. In this regard, even though I don’t much like the Presbyterian view of covenant theology, where there is a separate covenant of grace given to Abraham, it certainly works a heck of a lot better than dispensationalism in the covenantal context. One would have to say, to an extent, that different covenants are the result of their dispensations (or vice versa, honestly). But Hebrews and the NT do not see each covenant separately.
In any event, I really liked this book, even if it’s not quite on par with Malone’s. It’s well worth reading for people interested in the concepts presented therein.
At its root, the main issue I have is in how Emadi insists on his interpretation of OT passages as being ‘likely’ or ‘probable’ on the basis of other OT passages. The number of times that Emadi claims ‘David clearly had Psalm 2 in mind when he wrote this…’ or something along those lines, is frustrating and threatens to damage his overall argument.
Just like Malone, I don’t understand why Emadi doesn’t set the boundaries of the royal priesthood and then examine the actions by the definition. We know what a priest is; we know what a king is. A priest-king does both things.
Emadi does do this later, specifically in regard to Mark and Hebrews (which are his best chapters), but struggles to justify his first 5 chapters in the process.
Those two small issues prevent this from being a book I would recommend to everyone— there are points in reading this where I feel like the information isn’t actually helping to build the main argument— but it’s a book I respect and am happy to have read. I am preaching through Hebrews, and his commentary in various passages shed light on Christ the High Priest, which I am happy to have read.
I love the focus on eschatology in the covenantal framework. It’s not the purpose of his book, but I think his question to dispensationalism— how can God be our High Priest if He is on earth?— is a GREAT question that belies an interesting conundrum for dispies. In this regard, even though I don’t much like the Presbyterian view of covenant theology, where there is a separate covenant of grace given to Abraham, it certainly works a heck of a lot better than dispensationalism in the covenantal context. One would have to say, to an extent, that different covenants are the result of their dispensations (or vice versa, honestly). But Hebrews and the NT do not see each covenant separately.
In any event, I really liked this book, even if it’s not quite on par with Malone’s. It’s well worth reading for people interested in the concepts presented therein.
Want to read
September 24, 2023Goodreads review
December 4, 2023
Exceptionally excellent.
January 12, 2025
A fabulous biblical theology of Psalm 110 in the entire Bible. Well written, comprehensive, scholarly and generally readable.
October 11, 2025
One of the first books I've read on the treatment of Psalm 110. Truly remarkable book!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews