Who is Melchizedek

Category: Great Bible Leaders




Melchizedek was a High Priest and King. He was mentioned in Genesis and Hebrews in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

Though, there wasn’t much that was said about him, the little that was said about him shows that he was a great man of God.

Different schools of thoughts have varied views about his existence and what he was. While some think he never existed, others particularly the Christians believe he existed but had no parental background some said he was the one who came as Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

He was always referred to as “Priest of the God Most High” in the Bible passages.

Melchizedek first came into scene in Genesis 14:18-20 according to Bible records. Even though that was the first time he was mentioned, many believe that he existed before that time.

“And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing:

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High who has defeated your enemies for you”

Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the good he recovered”. Genesis 14: 18-20 (NLT)

His name surfaced again when King David composed his psalm, in Psalm 110:4, King David said, “The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek”

This implies that Melchizedek is a priest of God. What is not certain is whether he was just a priest here on earth or if he is a priest in heaven.


In the New Testament, Melchizedek was first mentioned in Hebrew 5:6, 10 in reference to what David said in Psalm 110:4.

Later in verse 20 of Hebrew 6, the writer compared Jesus to Melchizedek; he said Jesus was being taken to heaven as our eternal High priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Again in Hebrew 7:1-10, the writer referred to the Melchizedek story in Genesis 14:18-20 where Abram was returning after a war and gave a tenth of the goods to Melchizedek.

Hebrew 7:15-20 compared Melchizedek to Jesus Christ.

“This change has been made very clear since a different priest, who is like Melchizedek, has appeared. Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of life that cannot be destroyed. And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek”

Notice: Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation.

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