Who Was Melchizedek the Priest — Meaning Explained
Melchizedek was the mysterious king-priest of Salem who blessed Abraham — a type of Christ as the eternal High Priest.
Melchizedek was the mysterious king-priest of Salem who blessed Abraham — a type of Christ as the eternal High Priest.
"And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God." — Genesis 14:18 (KJV)
What "Who Was Melchizedek the Priest?" Actually Means
Melchizedek appears suddenly in Genesis 14, after Abraham's victory over the kings who had captured Lot. He is identified as both king of Salem (later Jerusalem) and 'priest of the most high God.' He brought out bread and wine and blessed Abraham, who in turn gave him a tenth of all the spoils. Psalm 110 then prophesies that the Messiah will be 'a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek,' and Hebrews develops this at length. Because no genealogy, birth, or death is recorded for Melchizedek, he stands in Scripture as a picture of Christ — a priest whose ministry is not by ancestry but by divine appointment, and whose priesthood has no end. Jesus is the true and greater Melchizedek, our forever King-Priest.
Anchor Verses (KJV)
Genesis 14:18
"And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God."
Psalm 110:4
"The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek."
Hebrews 7:3
"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."
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Priest (כֹּהֵן (kohen))
A mediator between God and people, offering sacrifices and interceding.
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