Lexical Summary Malki-tsedeq: Melchizedek Original Word: מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Melchizedek From melek and tsedeq; king of right; Malki-Tsedek, an early king in Palestine -- Melchizedek. see HEBREW melek see HEBREW tsedeq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom melek and tsedeq Definition "my king is right," an early king of Salem NASB Translation Melchizedek (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַלְכִּיצֶֿ֫דֶק proper name, masculine king of שָׁלֵם (q. v.), (my king is ‚ede‡) — Genesis 14:18. Psalm 110:4. ᵐ5 Μελχισεδεκ. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrences Melchizedek appears twice by name in the Hebrew Scriptures: Genesis 14:18 and Psalm 110:4. In Genesis, he meets Abram after the rescue of Lot, blessing him and receiving a tithe. Psalm 110 installs one called “my Lord” as an everlasting priest “in the order of Melchizedek,” laying the foundation for later Messianic interpretation. Historical Background The meeting of Abram and Melchizedek takes place in the patriarchal period, soon after Abram’s victory over a coalition of eastern kings (Genesis 14:1–17). Salem is widely identified with ancient Jerusalem, situating Melchizedek in the very locale that would later become the covenant capital of Israel (2 Samuel 5:6–10). His priesthood predates and stands outside the Levitical line that will arise four centuries later (Exodus 28:1). Priestly and Royal Offices Combined Melchizedek is simultaneously “king of Salem” and “priest of God Most High” (Genesis 14:18). In Israel these offices were ordinarily distinct (Numbers 7:1–2; 1 Kings 1:32–34). His united role anticipates a coming figure who would legitimately exercise both scepter and censer (Zechariah 6:13). Tithes and Blessing Abram gives Melchizedek “a tenth of everything” (Genesis 14:20), acknowledging the superior status of the priest-king. In biblical covenant structure, the lesser is blessed by the greater (Hebrews 7:7). The tithe thus testifies to a priesthood higher than Levi’s, for Levi “was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him” (Hebrews 7:10). Theological Significance in Psalm 110 Psalm 110 crowns the Davidic “Lord” with perpetual priesthood: “The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek’” (Psalm 110:4). The psalm therefore projects Melchizedek’s pattern into Israel’s royal theology, promising a monarch whose priesthood is unending and whose reign is universal (Psalm 110:2, 6). New Testament Interpretation Hebrews 5–7 unfolds the implications: The epistle concludes that Jesus’ priesthood secures “a better covenant” (Hebrews 7:22) and “saves completely those who draw near to God through Him” (Hebrews 7:25). Typological Foreshadowing of Jesus Christ 1. Name: “Melchizedek” means “king of righteousness,” echoed in Christ, “our righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6; 1 Corinthians 1:30). Connection with Jerusalem Melchizedek’s throne at Salem links the Abrahamic narrative to the city destined for God’s dwelling (Psalm 132:13–14). The priest-king blessing Abraham foreshadows Jerusalem’s role as the nexus of covenant blessing “for all nations” (Isaiah 2:2–3; Luke 24:47). Later Jewish and Christian Tradition Second Temple sources (e.g., 11QMelch) view Melchizedek as an eschatological deliverer; early Christian writers cite him as a Christ-type. Yet biblical revelation confines his identity to historical priest-king and prophetic signpost, with fulfillment realized uniquely in Jesus. Practical Implications for Believers • Assurance: The oath-grounded, everlasting priesthood of Jesus guarantees unbroken access to God (Hebrews 4:14–16). Forms and Transliterations צֶ֙דֶק֙ צֶֽדֶק׃ צדק צדק׃ ṣe·ḏeq ṣeḏeq tzedekLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 14:18 HEB: וּמַלְכִּי־ צֶ֙דֶק֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ שָׁלֵ֔ם NAS: And Melchizedek king of Salem KJV: And Melchizedek king of Salem INT: and Melchizedek king of Salem Psalm 110:4 2 Occurrences |
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