Person Old and New Testament
Melchizedek
Also known as Melchizedek =ESV, NIV; Melchisedec =KJV
Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, who blessed Abraham. Mentioned in 11 verses across 3 books, first at Genesis 14:18.
Why it matters. King of Salem and priest of God Most High.
- Primary passages
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-30 by the FaithGraph team
About Melchizedek
Melchizedek was the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High (Gen.14.18). He blessed Abraham and received a tithe from him after Abraham's victory over Chedorlaomer and his allies. Melchizedek brought out bread and wine, demonstrating his priestly role. The Psalms refer to the Messiah as a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek (Psa.110.4), indicating that Melchizedek's priesthood was seen as a type or foreshadowing of Christ's eternal priesthood. The book of Hebrews expands on this concept, presenting Jesus as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek (Heb.5.6,10; 6.20; 7.1,10,11,15,17,21). Melchizedek's unique priesthood, which combined royalty and priestly service to God Most High, is seen as a precedent for Jesus' eternal priesthood and kingship.
Description from STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0, lightly reformatted. This is background reference material, not Scripture and not a FaithGraph editorial claim.
Connections
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Appears in Scripture
Named in 11 verses across 3 books. Occurrence data from STEPBible TIPNR (CC BY 4.0); references only, no translation text.