Who is Melchizedek?

The story about Melchizedek first comes out in chapter 5 verse 6 and
it continues in chapter 6 to 7. His name comes out 8 times in the New
Testament but in the Old Testament, he was only mentioned twice. Once
in Genesis, in the story about Melchizedek and Abraham. And the other
time in Psalms, where David mentioned his name in his prayer (Psalm
110:4). So it is not very clear who he was or what kind of person he
was. But by looking through passages that his name was mentioned, it
is clear that he is playing the very important roll in the Bible
history. The phrase "You are a priest forever, after the order of
Melchizedek." comes out more than 7 times in the bible. So we have to
study from Hebrew, who he is and so on in order to tell why he is very
important in the Bible.

The Story of Abraham and Melchizedek

The original story about Melchizedek is written in Genesis 14:18. And
this is the only story that he appears. Abraham's nephew Lot and his
family were captured by the kings, he fought the battle against the
kings and won. So he went up to see Melchizedek the king of Salem to
offer him the tithe. Than Melchizedek came out and gave a benediction.
And what is interesting about this story is that, when Melchizedek
came out to bless Abraham, he brought bread and wine which you can
refer to the Communion. So not only that Abraham offered up the tithe
but he also was given the benediction by Melchizedek.

Melchizedek the Priest of the Most Hight God

Why did Melchizedek do these things? Even thought this story happened
long time before the liturgy was given to Israelites through Moses.
Melchizedek lived before Joseph, Moses or Aaron. So of course the
priests were not order yet and the Levites did not exist. But
Melchizedek was called the priest of the most high God. Even Christ
was called the one who "became a high priest forever after the order
of Melchizedek.". As you can tell from all these passages, there are
many passages in the Bibel where "Melchizedek the Priest" was
mentioned. So who is Melchizedek? Why is he so important?

Melchizedek the Great

According to the passage in Hebrew, he had no father or mother, or
genealogy or the beginning and of his life. And he was made as a
priest who is resemble Son of God. Even Abraham offered him tithe for
how great this man was. But still, he was nor Israelites or Levites.
And the story about Melchizedek happened long time before God gave
them specific commandments about the worship service.

Melchizedek the King of Salem

We have to remember that Melchizedek was also the King of Salem. The
story of Melchizedek as the "king" comes out in Genesis 14:16.
Melchizedek was the King of "Salem" and many Jewish scholars presuming
that Salem is "Jerusalem". David mentioned about the place "Salem"
Psalm 76:2 where David said that God set His tent in Salem and His
dwelling place in Zion. So this passage might be one of the reasons
that Jewish Scholars think of Salem as Jerusalem.

The Eternal Priesthood of Christ and Melchizedek

So by reading through Hebrew 6 to 8. The fact that he was a symbol of
Jesus Christ the high priest will be clear. Because Paul wrote that
Jesus became the priest "not on the basis of a legal requirement
concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.
(7:4)". And Paul written the similar fact about Melchizedek that he
had no beginning or the end of his life. So both Christ and
Melchizedek comes out in the Bible who have eternal priesthood (7:24).
Even though if you read through Hebrew to study about Melchizedek, the
mystery of who he is remains.