Bible Strands
Melchizedek
Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, who blessed Abraham.
From Easton's Bible Dictionary
King of righteousness, the king of Salem (q.v.). All we know of him is recorded in Gen. 14:18-20. He is subsequently mentioned only once in the Old Testament, in Ps. 110:4. The typical significance of his history is set forth in detail in the Epistle to the Hebrews, ch. 7. The apostle there points out the superiority of his priesthood to that of Aaron in these several respects, (1) Even Abraham paid him tithes; (2) he blessed Abraham; (3) he is the type of a Priest who lives for ever; (4) Levi, yet unborn, paid him tithes in the person of Abraham; (5) the permanence of his priesthood in Christ implied the abrogation of the Levitical system; (6) he was made priest not without an oath; and (7) his priesthood can neither be transmitted nor interrupted by death: "this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood."
Easton's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1897 — public domain, quoted in full and unedited.
First named at Genesis 14:18.
See Melchizedek in the family tree →
Verses that name Melchizedek
- Genesis 14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High—
- Psalms 110:4 The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
- Hebrews 5:6 And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
- Hebrews 5:10 and was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
- Hebrews 6:20 where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
- Hebrews 7:1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
- Hebrews 7:10 For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.
- Hebrews 7:11 Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?
- Hebrews 7:15 And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
- Hebrews 7:17 For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
- Hebrews 7:21 but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’”