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Melchizedek

Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, who blessed Abraham.

The name Melchizedek means “king of justice”

MalePriestCanaanPatriarchs eraOld & New Testaments3 books18 verses

Summary

A priest living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Genesis 14:18; referred to as Melchizedek (מַלְכִּי־צֶ֫דֶק) or Melchizedek (Μελχισεδέκ).

Profile

Melchizedek is a mysterious figure in the Bible. His name means "king of righteousness." He was a Canaanite priest and king. There is no record of his family, birth, or death.

Abraham met Melchizedek after defeating four Mesopotamian kings. The Mesopotamians had raided Sodom and Gomorrah and captured Abraham’s nephew Lot (Genesis 14:1–16). When Abraham returned from battle, Melchizedek, king of Salem (which is Jerusalem; see Psalm 76:2 and footnote there), was with the grateful kings of the Dead Sea confederacy. Melchizedek gave Abraham bread, wine, and his blessing, acting as a “priest of God Most High” (Genesis 14:18), the true God who created heaven and earth (see Psalms 7:17; 47:2; 57:2; 78:56). Melchizedek understood that Abraham worshiped the true God, and he praised God for giving victory to Abraham (Genesis 14:19–20). Abraham accepted Melchizedek’s gifts and gave him a tithe, showing Melchizedek's importance (see Hebrews 7:4–10).

Genesis includes family histories for many people, but Melchizedek appears suddenly without one. He disappears just as quickly. Much later in Israel's history, King David may have thought about this when he said the Messiah (God's chosen one) is "a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek" (Psalm 110:4; compare Hebrews 7:15–25). The book of Hebrews uses the idea that Melchizedek had no record of his family history to compare the temporary Levitical priesthood with the eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ. Hebrews also explains that Melchizedek is remembered as "like the Son of God" but was not the Son of God (Hebrews 7:3). His priesthood lasts forever as a model that comes before the Messiah's priesthood. Like Melchizedek, but unlike the kings of Israel, Jesus is a king who also performs priestly roles.

Melchizedek, a royal priest, was greater than Levi, the ancestor of Israel's priests. Similarly, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, is a superior priest compared to Aaron's descendants. Jesus offers lasting forgiveness for sins and direct access to God (Hebrews 7:24–28). He leads his people through the Holy Spirit instead of the law (Hebrews 8:7–13). He remains forever as priest and king for those who trust in him.

Passages for Further Study

Genesis 14:17–20; Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6–10; 6:20–7:28

Glossary entries

Melchizedek Melchisedec

Alternative names

Mentions

Includes 7 verses that refer to Melchizedek without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.

  1. Genesis 14:18
    Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High—
  2. Genesis 14:19Referred to, not named
    …and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,
  3. Genesis 14:20Referred to, not named
    …and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.
  4. Psalm 110:4
    The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
  5. Hebrews 5:6
    And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
  6. Hebrews 5:10
    …and was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
  7. Hebrews 5:11Referred to, not named
    We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing.
  8. Hebrews 6:20
    …where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
  9. Hebrews 7:1
    This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
  10. Hebrews 7:2Referred to, not named
    …and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”
  11. Hebrews 7:3Referred to, not named
    Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.
  12. Hebrews 7:4Referred to, not named
    Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.
  13. Hebrews 7:6Referred to, not named
    But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
  14. Hebrews 7:10
    For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.
  15. Hebrews 7:11
    Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?
  16. Hebrews 7:15
    And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
  17. Hebrews 7:17
    For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
  18. Hebrews 7:21
    …but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’”