Does the name Melchizedek ring any bells? It’s the kind of name that you know you have heard before but may not remember exactly who he was. It is, however, a name you should learn more about because his connection to Jesus and the new covenant can help Christians today have a deeper understanding of Christ’s roles as king and priest.
Where Is Melchizedek Mentioned in the Bible?
Melchizedek is mentioned in three places in the Bible. In Genesis 14:18-20, he has an encounter with Abraham. Prior to this meeting, five kings, including the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, rebelled against Chedorlaomer. In response, Chedorlaomer allied with three other kings and went to battle. The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah were defeated, and when the winner took the spoils of battle, they also took Abraham’s nephew Lot and all his people and possessions. Abraham took 318 trained men in pursuit and retrieved everything, including all the people. After the battle, Melchizedek, king of Salem (Jerusalem), met with him and blessed him.
The next mention of Melchizedek is in Psalm 110:4: “The Lord has sworn and will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek’.” Although David wrote the Psalm, it is a prophecy about Jesus. In the New Testament, Hebrews chapters five through seven give a detailed explanation of how Jesus is the fulfillment of Psalm 110:4, being a priest as well as a king. In order to better understand the significance of this dual role, let’s take a closer look at who Melchizedek was.
Who Was Melchizedek, and What Was His Role?
Melchizedek is described in Genesis 4:18-20 as both a king and a priest:
"Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”
He is king of Salem (Jerusalem), or Shalom, which means peace. The passage also identifies him as the priest of God Most High. As priest, he blesses Abram as well as offering him bread and wine. This dual role is unique as the positions call for very different requirements. The only other place where the roles of king and priest are even slightly blended are in the life of King David, but even the man after God’s own heart was not a priest of God Most High.
Genesis 14:20b also mentions that Abraham “gave him a tithe of all.” When Melchizedek offered him bread and wine, he offered him sustenance and hospitality, but he also offered a blessing as a priest of God. Abraham offers the tenth, or a tithe, as an offering to God for victory over his enemies since he was God’s priest. He also gave it as a response to Melchizedek’s graciousness and hospitality.
What Is the Mystery Surrounding Melchizedek?
Scholars find the story of Melchizedek to be a bit of a mystery because he is first mentioned in the book of Genesis, which focuses on genealogy, yet his ancestry is not mentioned. Hebrews 7:2-3 tells us:
"To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated 'king of righteousness,' and then also king of Salem, meaning 'king of peace,' without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually."
His genealogy is not given, so it is not tied to his family. Instead, it comes directly from God, making it an eternal order.
Some people have suggested that because of this reference to an eternal priesthood that he was a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ (Christophany). However, verse 3 says he was “made like the Son of God,” not that he was the Son of God. The rabbinical writers concluded that he was Shem, son of Noah, but this is not likely because there was no reason for a name change or for his having moved to Canaan. He was most likely a king in Canaan who carried on the true religion as both priest and king. The reference to eternity refers to his calling being from God.
How Is Melchizedek Connected to Jesus?
If Melchizedek was not Christ, then what was his purpose?
He was a foreshadowing of a better covenant to come:
"And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: 'The Lord has sworn and will not relent, You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek’) by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant" (Hebrews 7:20-22).
The law and the old covenant were given so that the children of Israel, as well as modern Christians, could see that there was no way to follow it perfectly. Sinful man could never bridge the gap to a holy God. The Levitical system required constant sacrifices both for the priests and the people. The priesthood of Melchizedek was an eternal priesthood that required only one true sacrifice in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Why Is Melchizedek Important in Understanding the New Covenant?
Melchizedek’s priesthood was different from the order of Aaron. According to Hebrews 7:23-28, Jesus’ priesthood is superior to the Levitical system in several ways:
- The Levites were mortal and would die, but Jesus is eternal, so his priesthood continues forever and is unchangeable (vs. 23-24).
- Jesus is able to save to the uttermost since he always lives to make intercession for us (vs. 25).
- Jesus is sinless, so he doesn’t require daily sacrifices to atone for his sin, like the Levites do because he gave himself once and for all time (vs. 26-28).
In Hebrews 7:21, the author quotes Psalm 110:4, prophesying of an eternal priesthood. The Psalm was written by King David and foretells of Christ’s coming as our high priest because only he could cleanse us from sin and reconcile us to God. This reconciliation is eternal in nature just as Christ is eternal.
What Does Melchizedek Teach Us About Christ?
Melchizedek’s dual role as priest of God and king foretold of the new covenant built on atonement through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. In this new atonement we have a king and high priest in one. Jesus is both our lord and our intercessor. Because of this, we can glean a few things:
- Christ’s sacrifice atoned for sin for once and all time.
- We have a high priest who has suffered everything that man has suffered and yet without sin. He knows our weaknesses and gives us grace.
- Because Jesus is king, he also has the power to fulfill all the promises of the high priest.
- God had a plan to restore man from before the foundation of the world that is prophesied throughout the Old Testament.
- Melchizedek offered Abraham bread and wine as Jesus offered the disciples at Passover before he died. We now have communion or the Lord’s Supper as a reminder of the sacrifice made for us.
Believers in Christ don’t have to sacrifice animals or depend upon a priest to seek forgiveness for our sins on a continual basis. We have a high priest who sacrificed all because of His love for us and who offers grace, mercy, and forgiveness whenever we ask. As king, he has all the power to grant these amazing gifts. For that we owe Him all our love and devotion as well as our obedience, knowing that He is worthy of it all.
Further Reading:
Who Was Melchizedek and How Does He Point to Jesus?
Who Was Melchizedek and What Is His Significance?
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/sedmak
Linda Lyle is a writer, teacher, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats. She has written articles for the Alabama Baptist, Open Windows, Refresh, as well as multiple novels and novellas. Her newest book, 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life Is Overwhelming, is set to release in October. She spins yarns on her blog The End of My Yarn at lindalyle.com.
