Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible — Meaning Explained

Melchizedek is one of the most enigmatic figures in Scripture. He appears briefly in Genesis 14 as both king of Salem (later Jerusalem) and priest of God Most High. After Abraham's victory over four kings, Melchizedek brought out bread and wine and blessed him. Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. What makes Melchizedek so significant is that he held both the office of king and priest — a combination that foreshadowed Jesus Christ. The Book of Hebrews devotes considerable attention to Melchizedek, explaining that Jesus is a priest forever 'after the order of Melchizedek' (Hebrews 7:17). Unlike the Levitical priesthood which was based on genealogy, Melchizedek's priesthood had no recorded beginning or end, making him a type of Christ whose priesthood is eternal. Some scholars believe Melchizedek was a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, while others see him as a historical figure whom God used as a prophetic type. Either way, his role in Scripture points unmistakably to the superiority of Christ's priesthood over the Levitical system.