A Priest Forever

Some may be surprised to find out that Yeshua was not the first person said to be “a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Of course, we know its origin..

"The Lord makes this promise on oath and will not revoke it: 'You are an eternal priest after the pattern of Melchizedek.'"
--Psalm 110:4

Most Christians are familiar with its direct New Testament usage...

“you are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek"
“high priest in the order of Melchizedek”
“a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek”
“you are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek”
“you are a priest forever”
--Hebrews 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:17, 21

So who bore this title of office before the author of Hebrews spoke of Yeshua in such terms?

"And the Jews and their priests decided that Simon should be their leader and high priest forever, until a trustworthy prophet should arise.”
--1 Maccabees 14:41

Simon was a priest when he was raised to kingship over Israel in Jerusalem. Melchizadek was (allegedly) not only a priest, but also the ruler/prince/king of Salem (Jerusalem). So without getting into any spiritual theologies or philosophical Christologies, being a "priest forever" or "eternal priest" after the order of Melchizadek seems to first imply filling the throne of David and reigning over Jerusalem as the true and annointed King.

Secondly, applying the word "forever" to the man who sits on the throne of David is symbolically recalling the promise given to King David about his throne being established "forever". It rings with prophetic connotations--that this king is no usual king, but the king who will come at the end of the age--the Davidic King--the one in whome the promise of an enternal coventant will be fulfilled.