Old Testament · Patriarchs

Melchizedek

Who was Melchizedek?

Melchizedek was the mysterious priest-king of Salem who blessed Abraham and became a picture of Christ’s priesthood.

RolePriest-king of Salem who blessed Abraham
EraPatriarchs
TitleKing of Salem, priest of God Most High
BlessedAbraham
LegacyA type of Christ’s 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. The book of Hebrews uses him as a type of Christ — a priest forever, “in the order of Melchizedek.”

His brief appearance carries weight far beyond its few verses.

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)
Genesis 14:18 “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High—” Hebrews 7:3 “Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.”
Related people
Abraham
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Original BibleDawn profile. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy. Scripture quoted from the public-domain Berean Standard Bible.