Topical Bible: Priest: Before Moses: Melchizedek

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Melchizedek is a significant yet enigmatic figure in the biblical narrative, appearing primarily in Genesis 14:18-20. He is introduced as the "king of Salem" and "priest of God Most High." His encounter with Abram (later Abraham) is brief but profound, establishing him as a pivotal character in understanding the priesthood before the Mosaic Law.

Biblical Account

In Genesis 14, after Abram's victory over the coalition of kings who had captured his nephew Lot, Melchizedek comes to meet Abram. The text states: "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" (Genesis 14:18-20).

Role and Significance

Melchizedek's dual role as both king and priest is unique in the biblical context, especially before the establishment of the Levitical priesthood. His title, "priest of God Most High," indicates a recognition and worship of the one true God, El Elyon, outside of the later Israelite context. This suggests a universal acknowledgment of God's sovereignty even among non-Israelite peoples.

The offering of bread and wine by Melchizedek has been interpreted by many Christian theologians as a typological foreshadowing of the Eucharist, although this is not explicitly stated in the text. His blessing of Abram and Abram's subsequent tithe to Melchizedek further underscore his authority and spiritual significance.

Theological Implications

Melchizedek's priesthood is later expounded upon in the New Testament, particularly in the Book of Hebrews. Hebrews 7:1-3 describes Melchizedek as "without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever." This passage highlights the eternal and superior nature of Melchizedek's priesthood, which serves as a type for the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

The author of Hebrews argues that Jesus is a priest "in the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 5:6), emphasizing the superiority of Christ's priesthood over the Levitical priesthood. This connection underscores the belief in Christ's eternal and unchangeable priesthood, which offers a perfect and complete atonement for sin.

Historical and Cultural Context

The identity of Melchizedek and the location of Salem have been subjects of much scholarly debate. Some traditions equate Salem with Jerusalem, suggesting an early connection between Melchizedek's priesthood and the future religious center of Israel. The lack of genealogical information about Melchizedek in the Genesis account has led to various interpretations, including views that see him as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ or as a historical Canaanite priest-king who worshiped the true God.

In summary, Melchizedek stands as a mysterious yet pivotal figure in biblical history, representing a priesthood that predates and transcends the Levitical system. His brief appearance in Genesis sets the stage for later theological developments concerning the nature of Christ's eternal priesthood.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 14:18
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
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Hebrews 5:6,10,11
As he said also in another place, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
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Hebrews 6:20
Where the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
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Hebrews 7:1-21
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;
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Library

The Law Anterior to Moses.
... Whence was Melchizedek named "priest of the most high God," [1150] if, before the
priesthood of ... mentioned patriarchs, was the Law given to Moses, at that ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter ii the law anterior to.htm

The Allegory of Melchizedek.
... for David, so long after the time of Moses, speaks of ... and will not repent, Thou art
a Priest for ever ... to a condition of things that existed before the young ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter vii the allegory of.htm

Circumcision Unknown Before Abraham.
... Chapter XIX."Circumcision unknown before Abraham ... The law was given by Moses on account
of the ... Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High, was uncircumcised; to ...
/.../chapter xix circumcision unknown before abraham.htm

Mount Zion.
... exhortation, given before the allegory of Melchizedek introduced the ... said in the
books of Moses concerning the ... spoken either by the high-priest before God, or ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xv mount zion.htm

The Priest of the World and King of Men
... earth be blessed.' When the mission of Moses had made ... true Builder 'ever liveth,'
and is 'a priest for ever ... has been a Christian church, and before that was a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the priest of the world.htm

Scriptural Types.
... the Lord, and then burned by Moses on the ... waved, and the right shoulder heaved, before
they were ... accompanying oblation, was waved by the priest before the Lord ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Remaining Books of the Old Testament.
... of Melchizedek." Psa.110:4. As a priest he offers ... which were written in the law of
Moses, and in ... fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost spake before concerning Judas ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xi remaining books of.htm

Entire Sanctification in Patriarchal Times.
... slavery and oppression and deliverance through Moses, and the ... a priesthood that existed
centuries before the Levitical ... Christ came, who was a priest not after ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iii entire sanctification in.htm

The Epistle to the Hebrews
... He towers above Moses, who was only a servant ... Christ as High Priest is above the
Aaronic priesthood ... Then the writer, before giving the full interpretation of ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xviii the epistle to.htm

The Doctrine of the Resurrection the Body Will Rise Again. ...
... Christ is the proper and legitimate High Priest of God. ... Yea, all kings shall fall
down before Him." Whom ... Gaon, on Daniel 7:13, and R. Moses Hadarsan [singularly ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter ix the doctrine of the.htm