Who Was Melchizedek and How Does He Point to Jesus?
Melchizedek proves one of the most fascinating of the obscure Old Testament figures. While he only appears in a short interaction with Abraham in Genesis, the Bible refers to this mysterious person more than once.
This king and priest, Melchizedek, continues to bring insight to believers regarding the redemptive story God is telling, revealing God had a messianic plan from the very beginning.
What Does Genesis Say about Melchizedek?
Genesis introduces Melchizedek in a brief but significant encounter with Abraham. The context of this meeting occurs after a victorious battle. Four kings, led by Chedorlaomer, waged war against five other kings, including the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. During the conflict, the victors seized Lot, Abraham’s nephew, and his possessions (Genesis 14:11-12). Upon hearing this, Abraham mobilized 318 trained men from his household and pursued the captors. He defeated them, rescuing Lot and recovering all the goods and people taken (Genesis 14:14-16).
Following this victory, Abraham encounters Melchizedek, king of Salem (or shalom, peace), as he returns. Genesis 14:18-20 describes the meeting:
“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”
First, Melchizedek is identified as both a king and a priest, which is unusual in the biblical context since the roles of king and priest were typically separate in Israelite tradition. He is the king of Salem, which is often identified with Jerusalem. His dual role as king and priest of God Most High (El Elyon) suggests a unique and elevated status.
Second, Melchizedek brings out bread and wine, which some scholars interpret as a gesture of hospitality or as having symbolic significance, prefiguring later Christian tradition. This act underscores Melchizedek’s priestly function, offering sustenance and blessing to Abraham.
Third, Melchizedek blesses Abraham, acknowledging God Most High as the source of Abraham’s victory. This blessing not only confers honor upon Abraham but also recognizes the supremacy of God in the affairs of humanity and history. By attributing the victory to God, Melchizedek aligns himself with Abraham’s faith, acknowledging the same divine authority.
Finally, Abraham’s response to Melchizedek’s blessing is to give him a tenth of everything. This act of giving a tithe signifies Abraham’s recognition of Melchizedek’s priestly authority and honors the divine blessing he received. It establishes a precedent for the practice of tithing, which would later become a formalized aspect of Israelite worship.
Since Melchizedek blesses Abraham and receives a tithe, this priestly duty places him in some authority over Abraham. Abraham dealt with other kings but not in this clear, spiritual sense. Abraham and God’s covenant with him serves as the spark for God’s redemptive work, from Israel to Jesus, so this interaction gives Melchizedek great significance. The Old Testament book of Psalms agrees.
What Does Psalms Say about Melchizedek?
Psalms mentions Melchizedek in David’s Psalm 110. The New Testament frequently quotes this psalm as it holds messianic implications. Psalm 110:4 specifically states, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.’”
In context, Psalm 110 reveals a royal and messianic prophecy. The psalm begins with a declaration: “The Lord says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’” (Psalm 110:1). This opening suggests a conversation between God and a figure greater than David, whom David calls “lord.” God invites this “lord” to sit at God’s right hand, a position of honor and authority.
Psalm 110 continues by describing the power and victory of this appointed figure. Verses 2-3 show how the Lord will extend the scepter of this ruler, indicating his dominion and the submission of his enemies. The ruler’s troops will be willing on the day of battle, and he will lead them in the splendor of holiness.
Verse 4, which mentions Melchizedek, shifts the focus to the priestly role of this figure: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.’” This prophecy establishes a unique priesthood that differs from the Aaronic priesthood established in the Law of Moses. Melchizedek’s priesthood, as described in Genesis 14:18-20, precedes the Levites, characterized by its eternal nature and direct appointment by God.
For the Jews before Jesus, Psalm 110 held significant implications. This royal psalm celebrated the Davidic monarchy and its divine endorsement. While clearly a king, David also helped develop the priestly role through praise and worship, the Tabernacle of David, and more. David combined some aspects of priesthood along with his kingship, connected in many ways to Melchizedek. Additionally, David conquered Jerusalem and made that city his capital. His son, Solomon, built the Temple in Jerusalem. With Melchizedek the king of Salem, or Jerusalem, he also symbolizes David.
The eternal nature of the Melchizedekian priesthood in Psalm 110:4 would have been particularly striking. Unlike the Levitical priests, whose service was temporary and bound by lineage, the priest in the order of Melchizedek was declared to serve “forever.” This eternal priesthood suggested a perfect and unending intercession for the people, which the Levitical priesthood could not provide due to its temporal and imperfect nature. God also gave David a covenant, promising his descendants would always rule on the throne of Israel, a “forever” promise which spoke of the coming Messiah.
Therefore, Jews interpreted Psalm 110 as a messianic prophecy, anticipating a future ruler from the line of David who would combine the roles of king and priest. This ruler would bring victory over Israel’s enemies and establish a kingdom characterized by justice and divine favor. The association with Melchizedek hinted at a priesthood that was superior to the Levitical system, pointing to a more profound and enduring mediation between God and his people. In the New Testament, the writer of Hebrews agrees.
What Does the New Testament Say about Melchizedek?
Hebrews provides an extensive discussion on Melchizedek, connecting him directly to the Messiah, Jesus. Hebrews elaborates on Melchizedek’s role and significance, establishing Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of the Melchizedekian priesthood.
Hebrews first introduces Melchizedek in Hebrews 5:6, where it quotes Psalm 110:4, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” This establishes the foundational premise that Jesus’ priesthood is not of the Levitical order, but rather follows the eternal and unique order of Melchizedek, which predates the Levites.
The author delves deeper into Melchizedek’s identity and significance. Hebrews 7:1-3 summarizes Melchizedek’s appearance in Genesis 14:18-20, describing him as “king of Salem and priest of God Most High.” The passage notes that Melchizedek met Abraham, blessed him, and received a tenth of everything Abraham had. The text highlights Melchizedek’s dual role as both king and priest, a rare combination that prefigures Jesus’ roles but was spoken about by other Old Testament prophets like Zechariah.
Hebrews 7:3 makes a crucial point about Melchizedek’s priesthood: “Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.” This emphasizes the eternal nature of Melchizedek’s priesthood, which is not bound by lineage or time, contrasting with the Levitical priesthood that depended on genealogical descent and had temporal limitations.
The comparison continues in Hebrews 7:4-10, where the author argues that Melchizedek’s priesthood is superior to that of the Levites. Abraham, the patriarch of the Israelites, gave Melchizedek a tenth of the plunder, and in doing so, acknowledged Melchizedek’s higher status. Levi, and thus the Levitical priesthood, symbolically paid tithes through Abraham, further establishing Melchizedek’s superiority.
Hebrews 7:11-17 explains the necessity of a new priesthood. The Levitical system could not achieve perfection or provide complete access to God. Therefore, a change in the priesthood necessitated a change in the law. Hebrews 7:14 highlights that Jesus, from the tribe of Judah, could not be a Levitical priest under the Mosaic Law. Instead, he fulfills the prophecy of Psalm 110:4, being a priest in the order of Melchizedek. God based this new priesthood, like Melchizedek’s, on the power of an indestructible life, not on human genealogy.
The author declares how the eternal is better than the temporal. Hebrews 7:23-25 contrasts the mortality of the Levitical priests with the eternal nature of Jesus’ priesthood. Death prevented the Levites from continuing in office, leading to a degree of instability. In contrast, Jesus holds His priesthood permanently because He lives forever. “Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25). This eternal intercession is a hallmark of Jesus’ superior priesthood.
The chapter concludes in Hebrews 7:26-28, highlighting Jesus’ unique qualifications as High Priest. Being human, Levites could be corrupted and were also sinners. Jesus is “holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.” He does not need to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for the people’s sins, because he sacrificed himself once for all. This self-sacrifice underscores the completeness and finality of Jesus’ priesthood.
What Does Melchizedek Mean for Christians Today?
Melchizedek offers several profound lessons for us today, pointing us to the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ as our High Priest.
First, we learn that Jesus, like Melchizedek, is a perfect High Priest who never sinned. This sinlessness makes him the ideal mediator between God and humanity, capable of fully atoning for our sins and reconciling us to God. His sinless sacrifice atones for our every sin, and need never happen again. Through his mediation between Christians and the Father, we learn our eternal High Priest understands us deeply because he’s been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet he did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). This empathy makes Jesus a compassionate and relatable mediator who fully comprehends our struggles and weaknesses (Hebrews 4:16).
Second, Melchizedek’s dual role as king and priest prefigures Jesus, who is not only our High Priest but also our King. Similarly, Jesus is the King of Kings who rules over all creation and the eternal High Priest who intercedes for us. He not only forgives and intercedes for us, but he has the power over all things to fulfill his promises and rule our hearts. This dual role assures us that our mediator also has sovereign authority, ensuring his intercession is both effective and authoritative.
Moreover, Melchizedek’s story reveals that God had a plan for the Messiah from the beginning. Melchizedek’s priesthood, which predates the Levites by centuries, symbolizes an eternal and superior priesthood. The prophecy of Psalm 110:5, fulfilled in Jesus, shows that God enacted his redemptive plan long before the Mosaic Law, pointing to a Messiah who would bring ultimate reconciliation and peace.
Finally, Melchizedek connects to the Christian practice of Communion. When Melchizedek met Abraham, he brought out bread and wine (Genesis 14:18), elements that Jesus used during the Last Supper to institute Communion (Matthew 26:26-28), further connecting Christ to Abraham through Melchizedek. This connection signifies the eternal priesthood of Jesus, who offers his body and blood for our redemption, establishing a new covenant through his sacrifice. Partaking in communion, we become part of and express an eternal redemptive story through Jesus.
Peace.
Originally published January 07, 2025.
