18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying,
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.20 And blessed be God Most High,
who delivered your enemies into your hand.”
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. Gen. 14:18-20
Here in the midst of the tale of Abraham we encounter one of the more truly intriguing characters of the Bible. Melchizedek. His origin is as mysterious as his name.
He is called King of Salem (the Genesis Rabbah claims this is a reference to what is now called Jerusalem), and he is also called Priest of God Most High. He raises many interesting yet unanswered questions:
Who ordained him priest of God, and what did that mean?
What was this place called Salem like if ruled by such a figure?
Why is there not a more significant account of his actions recorded in Bible?
Elements of these questions have been debated. Some claim Melchizidek’s status as “king of Salem” is a mistranslation, others suggest this entire section was simply inserted later into the Pentateuch. Still others have worked out details of Melchizedek’s life based on speculation.
In keeping with our purpose here, this is one of those adjuncts to the course of the story that seems insignificant until it comes to full light later in scripture.
The only other references to Melchizedek are in Ps. 110:4:
1 The LORD says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”2 The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion;
you will rule in the midst of your enemies.3 Your troops will be willing
on your day of battle.
Arrayed in holy majesty,
from the womb of the dawn
you will receive the dew of your youth. [a]4 The LORD has sworn
and will not change his mind:
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”
And several times in Hebrews:
5 So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father. ” 6 And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” 7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Heb. 5:5-10
19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. Heb. 6:19-20
1This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever. Heb. 7:1-3
Melchizedek is such a direct link to the Savior, it makes any discussion of him meaningless without engaging this point.
When the Hebrew writer explains the supremacy of Christ over everything Judaism has to offer, he uses the character of Melchizedek as a reference. The point is simply this:
Melichizedek’s lineage is not of the ordained, Aaronic/Levitical lineage of the Jewish priests. His priesthood is extra-Levitical, thus eternal. Jesus is a priest after the “order of Melchizedek”. As a result, Jesus’ priesthood is superior.
The Hebrews account makes a mysterious statement about Melchizedek’s family tree, stating “Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever…”.
The speculation from this text that Melchizedek had no parents and never died is, I believe, unfounded and unnecessary. Of course this point is the fodder for Melchizedek’s mystique. I believe the writer is simply saying there is no record of Melchizedek’s life – neither his beginning nor his end. Thus, his priesthood was not based on anything temporal like human lineage. It stands forever on its own merits. Jesus is a priest of this same “order”. Independent. Without the need for a priestly lineage.
The Hebrew writer underscores the supremacy of Christ again by pointing out that the Jews’ greatest father – Abraham – paid homage to this Melchizedek, giving a portion of his goods to him.
In addition, the offering of bread and wine by Melchizedek is rich with foreshadows of the bread and wine offered by Christ:
53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. John 6:53-56
26While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28This is my blood of the 29I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matt. 26:26-29
So we see again how the story of man’s redemption is woven deep into the texture of the historical account of God’s people. As seemingly obscure characters come and go, we find amazing significance even in this brief encounter of Abraham with the King of Salem.
We see in this a picture of our own encounter with the true King of Righteousness and King of Peace. We see the one who offers the bread and wine of His body and blood to celebrate a victory – His own victory over sin and death.
We see Jesus.
