5:6 in another place. This verse quotes Psalm 110:4 also quoted in Hebrews 5:10; 6:20; 7:17,21. Christ met all requirements for the priesthood, except that of descent from Aaron. However, he was of another priestly order, greater even than that of Aaron and Levi.

5:6 Melchisedec. Melchizedec was the mysterious priest/king who met Abraham when he returned from defeating the marauding confederation of kings from the north (see Genesis 14:17-19). In the Genesis account, he is merely called “king of Salem” (meaning “peace”) and “priest of the most high God” (the Hebrew name is El Elyon, “highest God”). The identity of Melchizedec has been vigorously debated. He is discussed in greater detail in Hebrews 7:1-21.

5:8 learned he obedience. See note on Hebrews 2:10. What He knew by omniscience, He “learned” by experience, thus “being made perfect”—not as God (for as God He was eternally perfect, by definition), but as man.

5:9 eternal salvation. There are only three adjectives used in the New Testament to describe our salvation. It is “so great salvation” (Hebrews 2:3), “eternal salvation” in this verse, and “the common salvation” (Jude 3).

5:10 order of Melchisedec. There are no less than six references in Hebrews to the “order” of Melchizedek, quoting Psalm 110:4. This term ordinarily would indicate a succession of priests holding this office. None are ever mentioned, however, in the long interval from Melchizedek to Christ, an anomaly which seemingly can be resolved only by assuming that Melchizedek and Christ are really the same person. Thus the order is eternally vested in Him and Him alone.