Bible Characters
Melchizedek in the Bible: King of Salem and Priest of God Most High
Melchizedek in the Bible was the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High who met Abram after a battle, brought out bread and wine, and blessed him. Abram gave him a tenth of everything (Genesis 14:18-20). He appears again in Psalm 110:4, and the book of Hebrews uses him to explain how Jesus is a high priest who did not come from the tribe of Levi (Hebrews 5:6; 7:1-17).
The Old Testament mentions Melchizedek in only two passages. Most of what Christians discuss about him comes from Hebrews 5 through 7.
Melchizedek at a Glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Name meaning | "King of righteousness" (Hebrews 7:2) |
| Title | King of Salem, which Hebrews explains as "king of peace" (Hebrews 7:2) |
| Testament | Both Old and New Testaments |
| Key books | Genesis, Psalms, Hebrews |
| Time period | Time of Abraham, about 2000 BC (traditional dating) |
| Known for | Blessing Abram, receiving a tenth, the priestly order of Melchizedek |
Melchizedek Meets Abram (Genesis 14)
Genesis 14 describes a war between two groups of kings. Four kings led by Kedorlaomer, king of Elam, defeated five kings of the Dead Sea region, including the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 14:1-11). They carried off Abram's nephew Lot, who was living in Sodom, along with his possessions (Genesis 14:12).
When Abram heard, he pursued them with 318 trained men born in his household. He attacked at night, defeated them, and recovered Lot, the goods, the women, and the other people (Genesis 14:14-16). For the full story of Abram's life, see our profile of Abraham in the Bible.
Bread, Wine, and a Blessing
On Abram's return, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (Genesis 14:17). Melchizedek, king of Salem, also came and brought out bread and wine. The text identifies him as priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:18).
Melchizedek blessed Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and praised God Most High for delivering Abram's enemies into his hand (Genesis 14:19-20). Abram then gave him a tenth of everything (Genesis 14:20).
Abram's response to the king of Sodom contrasts with his response to Melchizedek. He refused to take anything from the king of Sodom, not even a thread or a sandal strap, so no one could say the king of Sodom had made him rich (Genesis 14:21-23). When he spoke to the king of Sodom, Abram described the LORD, God Most High, as Creator of heaven and earth, using the same title Melchizedek had used (Genesis 14:22).
Where Was Salem?
Psalm 76:2 uses Salem in parallel with Zion, where God's dwelling is. On that basis, Salem is traditionally identified with the site that later became Jerusalem. Genesis 14 does not state this directly.
Melchizedek in Psalm 110
Psalm 110 is a psalm of David. It describes the LORD speaking to David's Lord and inviting him to sit at his right hand until his enemies are made a footstool (Psalm 110:1). Jesus quoted this verse to show that the Messiah is more than a son of David (Matthew 22:41-45). In verse 4 the psalm adds a priestly role:
"The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'" (Psalm 110:4, NIV)
Under the law of Moses, priests came from the tribe of Levi and the family of Aaron (Exodus 28:1; Numbers 3:10). Kings came from the tribe of Judah and the line of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Psalm 110 describes a king who is also a priest, and it connects that priesthood to Melchizedek rather than to Aaron.
Melchizedek in the Book of Hebrews
Hebrews quotes or refers to Psalm 110:4 several times and applies it to Jesus (Hebrews 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:17, 21). The writer's argument is that Jesus is a legitimate high priest even though he descended from Judah, a tribe Moses never connected with priests (Hebrews 7:13-14).
King of Righteousness and Peace
Hebrews 7:1-2 retells the Genesis account and explains the meaning of his name and title. Melchizedek means king of righteousness, and king of Salem means king of peace (Hebrews 7:2).
Without Genealogy
Hebrews says Melchizedek was without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, and that resembling the Son of God he remains a priest forever (Hebrews 7:3). Genesis gives no genealogy for him and records neither his birth nor his death.
Many evangelical interpreters understand Hebrews 7:3 as an argument from what Genesis leaves out. In a book full of genealogies, Melchizedek appears with no recorded ancestry, so he serves as a picture of a priest whose office does not depend on descent. The Levitical priests, by contrast, had to prove their family line (Ezra 2:61-62).
Greater Than Abraham and Levi
Hebrews makes several points from the Genesis account:
- Abraham, the patriarch, gave Melchizedek a tenth of the plunder, which shows Melchizedek's greatness (Hebrews 7:4).
- The one who blesses is greater than the one who is blessed, and Melchizedek blessed Abraham (Hebrews 7:6-7).
- Levi, the ancestor of the priests who collected tithes, was in some sense still in Abraham's body when Abraham paid the tenth, so Levi paid it through him (Hebrews 7:9-10).
A Better Priesthood
Hebrews argues that if perfection could have come through the Levitical priesthood, there would be no need for another priest in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:11). Jesus became a priest not on the basis of ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life (Hebrews 7:16).
The Levitical priests were many because death kept them from continuing in office. Jesus lives forever and holds his priesthood permanently, so he is able to save completely those who come to God through him (Hebrews 7:23-25). Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices daily for his own sins and then for the people's. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself (Hebrews 7:27).
Was Melchizedek a Christophany?
Some Christians have taught that Melchizedek was a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. Others hold that he was a real, human king and priest whom Genesis presents without background. The Bible does not settle the question explicitly.
What the text does say: Genesis calls him king of Salem and a priest (Genesis 14:18), and Hebrews says he resembled the Son of God (Hebrews 7:3). That phrase, resembling the Son of God, describes a likeness between two figures. Hebrews also says Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 6:20).
Outside the Bible, Jewish writings among the Dead Sea Scrolls (11QMelchizedek) present Melchizedek as a heavenly figure. That text is not Scripture.
Lessons from Melchizedek
- God had worshipers outside Abraham's family. Melchizedek was already a priest of God Most High when Abram met him (Genesis 14:18).
- Giving honors God. Abram gave a tenth to God's priest in response to God's deliverance (Genesis 14:20).
- Jesus is both king and priest. Psalm 110 and Hebrews connect a royal and priestly role in one person (Psalm 110:1, 4; Hebrews 7:1-3).
- Jesus's priesthood is permanent. Because he lives forever, he always lives to intercede for those who come to God through him (Hebrews 7:24-25).
Where Melchizedek Appears in the Bible
- Genesis 14:18-20
- Psalm 110:4
- Hebrews 5:6, 10
- Hebrews 6:20
- Hebrews 7:1-28
The letter to the Hebrews does not name its author. Some early church writers attributed it to Paul and others did not; see our profile of Paul in the Bible. For more figures from Genesis, see Enoch in the Bible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Melchizedek in the Bible?
Melchizedek was the king of Salem and priest of God Most High who blessed Abram and received a tenth from him (Genesis 14:18-20). Hebrews presents him as a type of Jesus's permanent priesthood (Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17).
What does the name Melchizedek mean?
Hebrews explains that Melchizedek means king of righteousness and that king of Salem means king of peace (Hebrews 7:2).
Did Melchizedek have parents?
Genesis gives no genealogy for him. Hebrews 7:3 says he was without father, mother, or genealogy, which many interpreters read as a statement about the silence of the record rather than a claim that he had no human parents.
What is the order of Melchizedek?
It refers to a priesthood modeled on Melchizedek rather than on Aaron and the tribe of Levi (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:11). Hebrews applies it to Jesus, who is a priest forever on the basis of an indestructible life (Hebrews 7:16-17).
Why did Abraham give Melchizedek a tenth?
Genesis records that Abram gave him a tenth of everything after Melchizedek blessed him and praised God for the victory (Genesis 14:19-20). Hebrews cites this as evidence of Melchizedek's greatness (Hebrews 7:4).