Then Melchizedek king of SalemMelchizedek is a mysterious figure in the Bible, appearing suddenly in Genesis without any genealogy, which is significant in a book that often details lineage. His name means "king of righteousness," and he is identified as the king of Salem, which is traditionally associated with Jerusalem. This connection to Jerusalem is significant, as it later becomes the central city of worship for the Israelites. Melchizedek's dual role as both king and priest is unique and prefigures the later combination of these roles in Jesus Christ, who is both King and High Priest.
brought out bread and wine—
The offering of bread and wine by Melchizedek is symbolic and has been interpreted as a precursor to the Christian Eucharist, where bread and wine represent the body and blood of Christ. This act of hospitality and blessing is significant in the context of ancient Near Eastern customs, where sharing a meal was a sign of fellowship and covenant. The use of bread and wine also connects to later biblical themes, such as the Passover meal and the Last Supper.
since he was priest of God Most High—
Melchizedek is described as a priest of "God Most High," a title that emphasizes the universal sovereignty of God. This title, El Elyon in Hebrew, suggests a recognition of God's supreme authority over all creation, not limited to the God of Israel alone. Melchizedek's priesthood is unique because it predates the Levitical priesthood established through Aaron. The New Testament book of Hebrews (Hebrews 7) elaborates on Melchizedek's priesthood as a type of Christ's eternal priesthood, emphasizing that Jesus, like Melchizedek, is a priest forever, not by lineage but by divine appointment.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MelchizedekA mysterious figure who is both a king and a priest. His name means "king of righteousness" in Hebrew. He is a type of Christ, representing a priesthood that predates and surpasses the Levitical priesthood.
2.
King of SalemSalem is often identified with Jerusalem. The name "Salem" means "peace," making Melchizedek the "king of peace."
3.
Bread and WineThese elements are significant as they prefigure the elements of the Christian communion, symbolizing sustenance and covenant.
4.
Priest of God Most HighMelchizedek serves as a priest to El Elyon, the "God Most High," indicating a universal recognition of God's sovereignty.
5.
Abram's EncounterThis event occurs after Abram's victory over the kings, highlighting a moment of blessing and covenantal significance.
Teaching Points
The Role of Melchizedek as a Type of ChristMelchizedek's dual role as king and priest foreshadows Jesus Christ, who is both our King and High Priest. This encourages believers to see Christ as the ultimate mediator and ruler in their lives.
Significance of Bread and WineThe offering of bread and wine by Melchizedek prefigures the Lord's Supper, reminding Christians of the importance of communion as a means of grace and fellowship with God.
Universal PriesthoodMelchizedek's priesthood, not limited to Israel, points to the universal nature of Christ's priesthood, inviting all nations to come to God through Him.
God's Sovereignty and ProvisionThe title "God Most High" emphasizes God's supreme authority and provision, encouraging believers to trust in His sovereignty over all circumstances.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 14:18?
2.How does Melchizedek's role as priest-king prefigure Christ's dual role today?
3.What significance does "bread and wine" hold in Genesis 14:18 for believers?
4.How does Melchizedek's blessing connect to God's covenant promises in Genesis?
5.In what ways can we emulate Melchizedek's hospitality in our daily lives?
6.How does Melchizedek's encounter with Abram encourage us to honor God in success?
7.Who was Melchizedek and why is he significant in Genesis 14:18?
8.How does Melchizedek's role as priest-king relate to Jesus in Christian theology?
9.Why does Genesis 14:18 mention bread and wine, and what is their symbolic meaning?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 14?
11.Must Christians tithe to the storehouse per Malachi 3:10?
12.Is there any extra-biblical or archaeological evidence supporting the existence of Melchizedek and his priesthood (Hebrews 7:1–3)?
13.If Melchizedek “had neither father nor mother” (Hebrews 7:3), how can he be considered a real historical figure without any trace of parentage or lineage?
14.Should tithes be calculated on gross or net income?What Does Genesis 14:18 Mean
Then Melchizedek– The appearance of Melchizedek comes “then,” immediately after Abram’s rescue of Lot and triumph over the eastern kings (Genesis 14:16-17).
– His sudden arrival emphasizes the initiative of God in meeting Abram, just as the LORD had earlier appeared to Abram inGenesis 12:7.
–Hebrews 7:1-2 reminds us that Melchizedek “met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,” underscoring that this meeting is divinely orchestrated, not accidental.
king of Salem– “Salem” is an early name for Jerusalem (Psalm 76:2), foreshadowing the city where God would later place His Name.
– As king, Melchizedek pictures a ruler of peace (“Salem” meaning peace), anticipatingIsaiah 9:6 where Messiah is called “Prince of Peace.”
– The combined offices of king and priest in one person preview Christ (Hebrews 7:2), who perfectly unites both roles.
brought out bread and wine– In the ancient Near East, welcoming a victor with food and drink was an act of honor and fellowship (2 Samuel 6:19).
– Bread and wine together anticipate covenant fellowship; centuries later Jesus “took bread… and… the cup” to institute the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-28;1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
– These elements point to refreshment after battle and to thanksgiving, mirroring Abram’s response of worship (Genesis 14:20).
since he was priest of God Most High– Melchizedek serves as “priest of God Most High” (El Elyon), declaring that the one true God already had a witness among the nations before the Levitical system.
– His blessing of Abram inGenesis 14:19-20 shows a priest mediating God’s favor, just as Aaron would later do (Numbers 6:22-27).
–Psalm 110:4 links priesthood “in the order of Melchizedek” directly to Messiah, andHebrews 7:3 notes that Melchizedek’s priesthood is timeless, pointing to Christ’s eternal ministry.
summaryGenesis 14:18 introduces Melchizedek as both king and priest, meeting Abram with bread and wine to honor the patriarch and to celebrate God’s victory. The verse previews key biblical themes: the peace of Jerusalem, fellowship through covenant meal, and an eternal priest-king who mediates God’s blessing. Melchizedek’s brief but powerful appearance shines forward to Jesus Christ, the ultimate Priest of God Most High who offers true bread and true wine—His own body and blood—for all who believe.
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Melchizedek king of Salem.--There is a Salem near Scythopolis in the tribe of Ephraim, near to which John baptised (
John 3:23, where it is called
Salim)
,and Jerome mentions that some local ruins there were said to be the remains of Melchizedek's palace. But such traditions are of little value, and we may eel certain that the place was really Jerusalem (
Psalm 76:2); for it lay on Abram's route homeward, and was within a reasonable distance of Sodom, which, as we have seen, lay in the Ciccar of Jericho, at the northern end of the Dead Sea. Salem is a common name for towns in Palestine (Conder,
Tent-work,i. 91), and the village in Ephraim is too remote to have been the place of meeting.
In Melchizedek we have a type of Christ (Psalm 110:4;Hebrews 5:6;Hebrews 5:10;Hebrews 7:1-21), and so venerable is his character and aspect that Jewish tradition identified him with the patriarch Shem, thus reconciling also to themselves his superiority over their forefather Abraham. But this idea is contradicted byHebrews 7:3. He was more probably the king of some Semitic race who still occupied Salem, but from whom it was at a subsequent period wrested by the Jebusites, who called it Jebus, after the name of their ancestor (Judges 19:10-11). Up to David's days it seems to have still had a titular king (2Samuel 24:23), and upon his conquest of it its old name reappears, but with a prefix, and henceforward it was known as Jeru-salem, that is (probably),the possession of Salem. . . .
Verse 18. -
And Melchisedeck. "
King of righteousness" (
Hebrews 7:2); an indication that the Canaanitish language was Shemitie, having been probably 'adopted from the original Shemite inhabitants of the country. Not a titular designation, like Augustus, Pharaoh, or Malek-ol-adel (
rexjustus) of the Mohammedan kings (Cajetan), but the name of a person; neither an angel (Origen), nor the Holy Ghost (Hieracas), nor some great Divine power (the Melchisedecians), all of which interpretations are baseless conjectures; nor Christ (Ambrose), which is contrary to
Hebrews 6:20; Norghem (Targums, Lyre, Willet, Luther, Ainsworth), which
Hebrews 7:3 sufficiently negatives; but most probably a Canaanitish prince by whom the true faith was retained amid the gloom of surrounding heathenism (Josephus, Irenaeus, Eusebius, Calvin, A Lapide, Delitzsch, Keil, Rosenmüller, Candlish, Bush), though it has been suggested that "the enlightenment of the king of Salem was but a ray of the sun of Abram's faith" (Kalisch), an opinion difficult to harmonize with
Hebrews 7:4.
King of Salem = "king of peace (
Hebrews 7:1). The capital of Melchisedeck was either Jerusalem, of which the ancient name was Salem, as in
Psalm 76:2 (Josephus, Onkelos, Aben Ezra, Kimchi, Knobel, Delitzsch, Keil, Kalisch, Murphy, Bush); or a city on the other side Jordan en
route from Damascus to Sodom (Ewald); or, though less likely, as being too remote from Sodom and the king's dale, Salem in the tribe of Ephraim, a city near Scythopolis, where the ruins of Melchisedeck's palace were said to exist (Jerome), and near to which John baptized (Bochart).
Brought forth bread and wine. As a refreshment to the patriarch and his soldiers (Josephus, Calvin, Clarke, Rosenmüller), which, however, was the less necessary since the spoils of the conquered foe were in possession of Abram and his men (Kalisch); hence mainly as a symbol, not of his transference of the soil of Canaan to the patriarch, bread and wine being the chief productions of the ground (Lightfoot), or of his gratitude to Abram, who had recovered for the land peace, freedom, and prosperity (Delitzsch), or of the institution of the Supper by the Lord Jesus Christ (Bush); but of the priestly benediction which followed and of the spiritual refreshment which it conferred upon the soul of Abram (Kalisch, Murphy). The Romish idea, that the act of Melchisedeck was sacrificial, is precluded by the statement that he brought forth the bread and wine before the people, and not before God.
And he was the priest.
Cohen; one who undertakes another's cause, hence one who acts as mediator between God and man, though the primary signification of the root is doubtful and disputed. The necessity for this office has its ground in the sinfulness of man, which disqualifies him for direct intercourse with a holy Being (cf. Kurtz, 'Sacrificial Worship,' ch. 1. b.). The occurrence of this term, here mentioned for the flint time, implies the existence of a regularly-constituted form of worship by means of priests and sacrifice. Hence the Mosaic cultus afterwards instituted may only have been a resuscitation and further development of what had existed from the beginning.
Of the most high God. Literally,
El-Ellen, a proper name for the Supreme Deity (occurring only here, in the narrative of Abram's interview with the kings); of which the first term,
El, from the same root as Elohim (
Genesis 1:1, q.v.), signifies the Strong One, and is seldom applied to God without some qualifying attribute or cognomen, as El-Shaddai, or El, the God of Israel; and the second, '
Elion (occurring frequently afterwards, as in
Numbers 24:16;
Deuteronomy 32:8; Psalm 7:18
[Psalm 7:17
]; Psalms 9:2), describes God as the High, the Highest, the Exalted, the Supreme, and is sometimes used in conjunction with Jehovah (Psalm. 7:18
[Psalm 7:17
]), and with Elohim (Psalm 57:3
[Psalm 57:2
]), while sometimes it stands alone (Psalm 21:8
[Psalm 21:7
]). Most probably the designation here describes the name under which the Supreme Deity was worshipped by Melchisedeck and the king of Sodom, whom Abram recognizes as followers of the true God by identifying, as in Ver. 22, El-Elion with Jehovah (cf. Quarry, p. 426).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Then Melchizedekצֶ֙דֶק֙(ṣe·ḏeq)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4442:Melchizedek -- 'my king is right', an early king of Salemkingמֶ֣לֶךְ(me·leḵ)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428:A kingof Salemשָׁלֵ֔ם(šā·lêm)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8004:Salem -- 'peaceful', an early name of Jerusalembrought outהוֹצִ֖יא(hō·w·ṣî)Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318:To go, bring, out, direct and proximbreadלֶ֣חֶם(le·ḥem)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899:Food, bread, grainand wine—וָיָ֑יִן(wā·yā·yin)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196:Wine, intoxicationsince heוְה֥וּא(wə·hū)Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931:He, self, the same, this, that, as, arewas priestכֹהֵ֖ן(ḵō·hên)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548:Priestof Godלְאֵ֥ל(lə·’êl)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 410:Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the AlmightyMost High—עֶלְיֽוֹן׃(‘el·yō·wn)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5945:An elevation, lofty, as title, the Supreme
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OT Law: Genesis 14:18 Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread (Gen. Ge Gn) 
