Topical Bible: Abraham is Blessed by Melchizedek

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Biblical Context:
The encounter between Abraham and Melchizedek is a significant event recorded in the Book of Genesis, specifically in Genesis 14:17-20. This meeting occurs after Abraham's victorious return from defeating the coalition of kings who had captured his nephew Lot. The narrative highlights the unique figure of Melchizedek, who is both a king and a priest, and his interaction with Abraham.

Scriptural Account:
Genesis 14:17-20 describes the event as follows:

"After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying:

'Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.'

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything."

Melchizedek:
Melchizedek is introduced as the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High. His dual role as both king and priest is unique in the biblical narrative, and he is considered a type of Christ in Christian theology. The name "Melchizedek" is often interpreted to mean "king of righteousness," and "Salem" is associated with peace, possibly referring to the ancient city of Jerusalem.

The Blessing:
Melchizedek's blessing of Abraham is significant for several reasons. First, it acknowledges Abraham's victory as being granted by God Most High, emphasizing divine intervention and support. The blessing also serves to elevate Abraham's status, recognizing him as a recipient of God's favor. The act of blessing by Melchizedek, a priest, underscores the spiritual dimension of Abraham's mission and journey.

Abraham's Response:
In response to Melchizedek's blessing, Abraham gives him a tenth of everything, an act that signifies respect and acknowledgment of Melchizedek's priestly authority. This offering is one of the earliest biblical references to the practice of tithing, which later becomes a significant aspect of Israelite worship and religious duty.

Theological Significance:
The encounter between Abraham and Melchizedek holds deep theological implications. Melchizedek's role as a priest-king prefigures the later understanding of Jesus Christ as both King and High Priest, as elaborated in the New Testament, particularly in the Book of Hebrews (Hebrews 7). The event also highlights the theme of divine blessing and covenant, central to the Abrahamic narrative and the unfolding account of God's relationship with His chosen people.

Historical and Cultural Context:
The meeting takes place in the Valley of Shaveh, identified as the King's Valley, a location of significance in the ancient Near East. The offering of bread and wine by Melchizedek is a gesture of hospitality and fellowship, common in ancient cultures, but it also carries symbolic meanings that resonate with later Christian sacramental practices.

Legacy and Interpretation:
The figure of Melchizedek and his blessing of Abraham have been subjects of extensive interpretation and discussion among theologians and biblical scholars. His brief yet profound appearance in the biblical text has inspired various interpretations regarding his identity, role, and significance within the broader biblical narrative.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 14:18-20
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
Nave's Topical Index

Hebrews 7:1-10
For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Of Abraham's Overcoming the Enemies of Sodom, when He Delivered ...
... Book XVI. Chapter 22."Of Abraham's Overcoming the Enemies of Sodom, When He Delivered
Lot from Captivity and Was Blessed by Melchizedek the Priest. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 22 of abrahams overcoming the.htm

The Allegory of Melchizedek.
... Whether it was so or not, Melchizedek blessed him, and Abraham accepted the blessing,
and acknowledged its priestly character by giving him the priest's portion ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter vii the allegory of.htm

Of the Popish Mass. How it not Only Profanes, but Annihilates the ...
... "This Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham,"
"and blessed him." Hence the same apostle (and a better interpreter cannot be ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 of the popish.htm

The Man Christ Jesus
... Abraham had already been greatly blessed so much so that he is ... with whom God had
entered into solemn covenant, was yet blessed by Melchizedek, and without ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/the man christ jesus.htm

part 1
... all contradiction the less is blessed of the ... He establishes the transcendency of
the Melchizedek order of the priesthood of Christ was that Abraham, the father ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/tithing/part 1.htm

Epistle Lxii. C??cilius, on the Sacrament of the Cup of the Lord.
... coming from that sacrifice and thence descending; that Melchizedek was a priest
of the most high God; that he offered wine and bread; that he blessed Abraham. ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxii caecilius on the.htm

Moses and his Writings
... until quite lately many people were certain that there could never have been a king
like Melchizedek, the king of Salem, who came and blessed Abraham, and of ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter iii moses and his.htm

Circumcision Unknown Before Abraham.
... Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High, was uncircumcised; to whom also Abraham
the first who ... after the flesh, gave tithes, and he blessed him: after ...
/.../chapter xix circumcision unknown before abraham.htm

But These Writings of the Apostles, Though Clear...
... And he blessed Abraham.' Now, that Melchizedek was a type of Christ, the Holy Spirit
declares in the Psalms, where the Father addressing the Son says, 'Thou ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 45 but these writings.htm

The Blessed virgin Mary May have Lived Without Sin. None of the ...
... and grace, against pelagius; Chapter 42 [XXXVI.]"The Blessed Virgin Mary ... described
as having led holy lives,"Abel, Enoch, Melchizedek, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 42 xxxvi the blessed virgin.htm