In brief
Melchizedek is king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He appears only once in Genesis: after Abram's victory over the kings, he brings him bread and wine and blesses him, and Abram gives him a tenth of everything. Psalm 110 announces a priest forever in his order, and the letter to the Hebrews sees in him a figure of Jesus, king of righteousness and peace, eternal priest. He is remembered for a brief but decisive encounter.
What does the name Melchizedek mean?
The name Melchizedek is generally linked to “king of righteousness”. The letter to the Hebrews gives this explanation itself: he is first king of righteousness, by the meaning of his name, then king of Salem, that is, king of peace (Hebrews 7:2).
The story of Melchizedek
Abram returns victorious
Genesis 14:13-17When Abram learns that his relative Lot has been taken captive, he arms three hundred eighteen trained men born in his house and pursues the kings as far as Dan. He attacks them by night, defeats them and brings back Lot, his goods, the women and the people. On his return, the king of Sodom goes out to meet him.
Bread and wine
Genesis 14:18-20Melchizedek, king of Salem, brings out bread and wine, for he is priest of God Most High. He blesses Abram in the name of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, and blesses God for delivering Abram's enemies into his hand. Abram gives him a tenth of everything.
Abram's choice
Genesis 14:21-24The king of Sodom proposes that Abram keep the goods and give him back the people. Abram answers that he has lifted up his hand to Yahweh, God Most High. He refuses to accept anything at all from the king of Sodom. The meeting with Melchizedek brings out the choice between two kings.
A priest forever
Psalm 110:4Centuries later, Psalm 110 announces, by an oath of Yahweh, a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. This text attributed to David presents a king who is also a priest, a combination the law of Moses did not provide for. The New Testament will see Jesus in it.
The priest according to Hebrews
Hebrews 5:5-6 and 7:1-3, 15-17The letter to the Hebrews quotes Psalm 110 and applies it to Christ. It recalls that Melchizedek is king of righteousness and king of peace, that his genealogy is not given, and that he is made like the Son of God. Jesus, of the tribe of Judah, is a priest forever, by the power of an indestructible life.
What Melchizedek teaches us
- Recognize God's hand in your victories, as Abram does by giving a tenth.
- Choose your king: God's blessing is worth more than the riches Sodom offers.
- Jesus is both king and priest: you can approach God with confidence.
- Melchizedek's bread and wine invite us to communion and thanksgiving.
- The priesthood of Christ is eternal and surpasses that of the law.
Key verses
Melchizedek, king of Salem, brings out bread and wine, and he is priest of God Most High. This verse presents his double role of king and priest, rare in the Old Testament.
“Yahweh has sworn, and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.’” The divine oath announces a unique priest, both king and priest.
The verse explains his name and his title: king of righteousness, then king of Salem, that is, king of peace. The two words sum up the work of Christ for his people.
Sermons about Melchizedek
- Melchizedek or the King of Sodom: Which King Will You Choose?A sermon on this site that sets Melchizedek against the king of Sodom and asks which king we choose to follow.
- Psalm 110: Jesus, King and Priest ForeverA sermon on this site about Psalm 110: Jesus, king and priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Melchizedek in the Bible?
Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abram after his victory, brought him bread and wine and blessed him. Abram gave him a tenth of everything. The New Testament sees in him a picture of Jesus, the eternal priest.
What does the name Melchizedek mean?
The name Melchizedek is generally linked to “king of righteousness”. This is the explanation the letter to the Hebrews gives (7:2). Salem, the city of which he is king, is also explained as “peace” in the same verse.
Where can I find the story of Melchizedek in the Bible?
Melchizedek appears in Genesis 14:18-20. He is then mentioned in Psalm 110:4, then in the letter to the Hebrews, in chapters 5, 6 and 7, where his priesthood is compared to that of Jesus.