Who was Melchizedek?
Quick answer
Melchizedek was the mysterious priest-king of Salem who blessed Abraham and became, in the book of Hebrews, a picture of Christ’s eternal priesthood.
Melchizedek appears suddenly in Genesis as “king of Salem” and “priest of God Most High.” He brought out bread and wine and blessed Abraham, who gave him a tenth of everything.
With no recorded genealogy or end, he stands apart from the later priestly line of Levi.
Hebrews uses him as a type of Christ — a priest forever, “in the order of Melchizedek” — whose priesthood is greater than the temporary one of the Law.
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Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.