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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
3 hours ago8 min read

Who Was Melchizedek, and How Does He Relate to Jesus Christ?


The figure of Melchizedek, a relatively mysterious yet significant figure in the Bible, has drawn the attention of scholars, theologians, and believers for centuries. As "king of Salem" and "priest of the Most High God," he emerges on the biblical stage without clear genealogical or historical background and is mentioned only briefly in a few critical places in Scripture. However, his role in both the Old and New Testaments establishes him as a powerful type that points forward to the eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ. Understanding Melchizedek requires a careful examination of the scriptural texts that reference him, particularly Genesis 14, Psalm 110, and the letter to the Hebrews.



Melchizedek's Historical Appearance


Melchizedek’s first and only historical appearance occurs in the account of Abraham’s victorious return from battle in Genesis 14:18-20. After Abraham defeated a coalition of kings led by Chedorlaomer, Melchizedek, the king of Salem, brought out bread and wine to bless him. The text reads:


“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!’ And Abram gave him a tenth of everything” (Genesis 14:18-20).


This brief encounter raises significant theological questions. Why is Melchizedek, a king-priest, given such prominence in the narrative? Why does Abraham, the chosen servant of Jehovah, give him a tithe of the spoils? Most importantly, what is the significance of this event in light of future revelation?



King of Salem and Priest of the Most High God


The name "Melchizedek" is interpreted as "king of righteousness" (Hebrews 7:2), and his title, "king of Salem," means "king of peace." This connection is critical because, throughout Scripture, righteousness and peace are closely linked. Psalm 85:10, for example, declares, "Righteousness and peace kiss each other." In biblical theology, peace is often the result of righteousness, a truth most clearly seen in the work of Christ. Isaiah 9:6 refers to the coming Messiah as the "Prince of Peace," whose kingdom will bring an everlasting reign of righteousness and peace.


Furthermore, Melchizedek’s status as “priest of the Most High God” is unique, as he is the first priest mentioned in Scripture, preceding the Levitical priesthood by many centuries. His priesthood was not based on heredity or descent, as the Levitical priesthood would later be, but it was directly appointed by Jehovah. This reflects an essential principle of biblical theology: the true priesthood is not founded on human lineage but on divine appointment. As Psalm 110:4 declares concerning the Messiah, “Jehovah has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.’”



Melchizedek’s Blessing of Abraham and Its Significance


In the Genesis narrative, Melchizedek blesses Abraham, and in response, Abraham gives him a tenth of the spoils. This act of giving tithes has deep significance, as it demonstrates Abraham’s recognition of Melchizedek’s superior status as both a priest and a king. Hebrews 7:7 explains, “It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior.” Abraham, who is called “Jehovah’s friend” (James 2:23) and the “father of all those having faith” (Romans 4:11), humbly accepts Melchizedek’s blessing and gives him tithes, acknowledging Melchizedek’s priestly role in serving Jehovah.


Melchizedek’s blessing also points to the greatness of Jehovah as the “Possessor of heaven and earth.” In blessing Abraham, Melchizedek blesses the very one through whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed, as promised in Genesis 12:3. The blessing that Melchizedek pronounces is not merely a formal or ritualistic action; it points forward to the covenantal blessings that God had promised to bring through Abraham’s lineage, ultimately culminating in the person of Jesus Christ.



A Priesthood Greater than the Levitical Priesthood


In the New Testament, the apostle Paul (or the writer of Hebrews) extensively elaborates on the significance of Melchizedek, showing that he prefigures Jesus Christ as the ultimate High Priest. Hebrews 7:1-3 introduces Melchizedek as a figure who is “without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.” While this does not mean that Melchizedek was an eternal being, it indicates that his priesthood, as recorded in Scripture, has no recorded lineage or end, making him an ideal type for Christ’s eternal priesthood.


The comparison between Melchizedek and Christ reaches its full theological weight in Hebrews 7. The writer argues that Melchizedek’s priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood because it is not based on ancestry or the law of Moses. The Levites, who served as priests under the Mosaic Law, were limited by death, and their priesthood required constant succession. In contrast, Melchizedek, who was "without genealogy," serves as a type of Christ’s priesthood, which is eternal. As Hebrews 7:23-24 states, “The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he [Jesus] holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.”



The Typology of Melchizedek and Jesus Christ


The New Testament clearly portrays Melchizedek as a type or foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, particularly in His role as the eternal High Priest. While Jesus did not come from the priestly tribe of Levi, He fulfills the role of High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, which is superior to the Levitical priesthood.


Jesus’ priesthood, like Melchizedek’s, is appointed directly by God, not through human descent. Hebrews 5:5-6 emphasizes this point: “So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’; as he says also in another place, ‘You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.’”


Moreover, Melchizedek’s priesthood points forward to the combined office of king and priest in Jesus Christ. Under the Old Covenant, the roles of priest and king were separated; the priests came from the tribe of Levi, while the kings came from the tribe of Judah. However, in Melchizedek, both offices are united, prefiguring the work of Christ, who is both our eternal High Priest and King of kings (Revelation 19:16).



The Superiority of Jesus’ Priesthood


Hebrews 7:11-12 reveals the necessity of a new priesthood, explaining that “perfection was not attainable through the Levitical priesthood.” If the Levitical system had been sufficient, there would have been no need for a new priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek. However, because the Levitical priests were sinful and their sacrifices could only provide temporary atonement, they could not bring about true and lasting reconciliation between God and man. In contrast, Jesus’ priesthood is based on “the power of an indestructible life” (Hebrews 7:16).


The writer of Hebrews underscores the permanence of Jesus’ priesthood in verses 23-25: “The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” The Levitical priests could never provide full salvation; their priesthood was temporary, and their sacrifices had to be repeated. In contrast, Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice on the cross (Hebrews 9:12) and His ongoing intercession as our High Priest ensure that those who come to God through Him are “saved to the uttermost.”



Melchizedek’s Unique Place in Redemptive History


Another important element in understanding Melchizedek’s role in redemptive history is his lack of recorded genealogy. Hebrews 7:3 says that Melchizedek was "without father or mother or genealogy." While this may seem peculiar, it is not that Melchizedek literally had no parents, but that the Bible does not record his ancestry, birth, or death. This is unusual in a book like Genesis, where genealogies are so significant. The absence of such details serves to highlight Melchizedek’s unique position as a type of Christ, whose priesthood is likewise not dependent on human descent but on divine appointment.


By not providing the details of Melchizedek’s birth or death, the Scriptures allow him to serve as a fitting type for Jesus Christ, who has “an indestructible life” (Hebrews 7:16) and whose priesthood has no end. Christ’s priesthood, like Melchizedek’s, is not based on human lineage but on God’s sovereign decree. As Psalm 110:4 prophesies, “Jehovah has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.’”



The Manner of Melchizedek’s Priesthood and Jesus’ Fulfillment


When Psalm 110:4 speaks of the Messiah’s priesthood being “according to the manner of Melchizedek,” it highlights several critical features of Jesus’ priestly ministry. First, Jesus’ priesthood, like Melchizedek’s, is eternal. It does not pass away or require successors. Second, it is a royal priesthood, combining the offices of king and priest in one person. Third, it is a priesthood that stands apart from the Law of Moses and the Aaronic priesthood, being established by the direct appointment of Jehovah. In all of these ways, Jesus fulfills and surpasses the typology of Melchizedek.


Hebrews 7:22 sums up the significance of this by declaring, “This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.” The old covenant, mediated by the Levitical priests, could not bring about lasting forgiveness of sins. The sacrifices had to be repeated year after year, and the priests themselves were sinners. But in Jesus Christ, we have a High Priest who is “holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens” (Hebrews 7:26). His priesthood guarantees the new covenant, which provides complete and eternal forgiveness through His perfect sacrifice.



Conclusion of Melchizedek's Role in Light of Christ


While Melchizedek is a mysterious figure in Scripture, his significance as a type of Christ is made clear in the book of Hebrews. His unique priesthood, without genealogy and without end, prefigures the eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ. The fact that Melchizedek was both a king and a priest foreshadows the reign of Christ as both the King of kings and the eternal High Priest who intercedes for His people.


Thus, Melchizedek’s appearance in the Old Testament serves a dual purpose. On the one hand, it provides a historical interaction with Abraham, blessing the man through whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). On the other hand, it prefigures the coming of the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who fulfills the promises made to Abraham and establishes a new and better covenant. In this way, Melchizedek stands as a critical figure in redemptive history, pointing us to the person and work of Jesus Christ.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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