Melchizedek(melchesedec)
“King of Righteousness”
Summary
The mysterious king of Salem and priest of the most high God who blessed Abraham and received tithes from him.
☩Historical Appearance
After Abraham's victory over the kings who had captured Lot, 'Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth' (Genesis 14:18-19). Abraham gave him 'tithes of all' (Genesis 14:20).
☩Name and Title
His name means 'king of righteousness.' He was 'king of Salem' (meaning 'peace'), generally identified with Jerusalem. Thus he was both 'King of righteousness' and 'King of peace' (Hebrews 7:2). He held the dual office of king and priest—a combination forbidden to Israel's kings but fulfilled in Christ.
☩Psalm 110 Prophecy
David prophesied of the Messiah: 'The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek' (Psalm 110:4). This established a priesthood distinct from and superior to Aaron's, not dependent on genealogical descent but on divine appointment.
☩Type of Christ
Hebrews develops Melchizedek's typological significance extensively (Hebrews 5-7). He is 'without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually' (Hebrews 7:3). Christ's priesthood after Melchizedek's order supersedes the Levitical priesthood, since even Abraham—and therefore Levi in Abraham's loins—paid tithes to Melchizedek, acknowledging his superiority.