Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine--since he was priest of God Most High-- Then MelchizedekThe name "Melchizedek" is derived from two Hebrew words: "melek," meaning "king," and "tsedeq," meaning "righteousness." Thus, Melchizedek is often understood as "king of righteousness." This title is significant as it prefigures the ultimate King of Righteousness, Jesus Christ, who is both King and Priest. Melchizedek's sudden appearance and lack of genealogy in the biblical narrative have intrigued scholars and theologians, leading to his typological association with Christ, as seen in Hebrews 7. king of Salem
"Salem" is traditionally identified with Jerusalem, and the name itself means "peace." Thus, Melchizedek is not only a king of righteousness but also a king of peace. This dual kingship is a profound foreshadowing of Christ, who is the Prince of Peace and the ultimate King of Kings. The historical and geographical context of Salem as an ancient city that would become Jerusalem adds depth to the understanding of Melchizedek's role and significance. brought out bread and wine
The act of bringing out "bread and wine" is rich with symbolic meaning. In the ancient Near East, bread and wine were staples of sustenance and hospitality, symbolizing provision and fellowship. In the Christian tradition, this act is seen as a precursor to the Eucharist, where bread and wine represent the body and blood of Christ. This connection underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament. He was priest of God Most High
The title "priest of God Most High" is significant because it establishes Melchizedek as a priestly figure before the Levitical priesthood was instituted. The Hebrew term for "God Most High" is "El Elyon," emphasizing God's supreme sovereignty and authority. Melchizedek's priesthood is unique and eternal, as later expounded in the book of Hebrews, where Christ is described as a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. This highlights the eternal and universal nature of Christ's priesthood, transcending the limitations of the Levitical system. 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 1. How does Melchizedek's role as both king and priest enhance our understanding of Jesus' ministry? 2. In what ways does the offering of bread and wine by Melchizedek connect to the practice of communion in the New Testament? 3. What does Melchizedek's title as "priest of God Most High" reveal about God's relationship with humanity before the establishment of the Levitical priesthood? 4. How can understanding the universal nature of Melchizedek's priesthood impact our view of the global mission of the church? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision and sovereignty in your life. How does recognizing God as "Most High" influence your trust in Him today? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 110This psalm references Melchizedek, linking him to the Messiah, who is a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 7The New Testament elaborates on Melchizedek's priesthood, comparing it to Christ's eternal priesthood, emphasizing its superiority over the Levitical priesthood. Matthew 26:26-28The Last Supper, where Jesus uses bread and wine to establish the New Covenant, echoes Melchizedek's offering. People Abram, Amalekites, Amorites, Amraphel, Aner, Arioch, Bela, Bera, Birsha, Chedorlaomer, Dan, Elam, Emites, Eshcol, Ham, Horites, Lot, Mamre, Melchisedec, Melchizedek, Rephaites, Seir, Shemeber, Shinab, Tamar, Tidal, Zoar, Zuzims, ZuzitesPlaces Admah, Ashteroth-karnaim, Bela, Damascus, Dan, Elam, Ellasar, El-paran, En-mishpat, Gomorrah, Ham, Hazazon-tamar, Kadesh-barnea, King's Valley, Oaks of Mamre, Salem, Salt Sea, Seir, Shaveh-kiriathaim, Shinar, Sodom, Valley of Shaveh, Valley of Siddim, Zeboiim, ZoarTopics Bread, Forth, Melchisedec, Melchisedek, Melchizedek, Mel-chiz'edek, Priest, Salem, WineDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 14:18 4418 bread
5366 king
5433 occupations
7270 Zion, as a place
7377 high priest, OT
7413 priesthood, OT Genesis 14:1-24 4224 cities of the plain Genesis 14:13-21 5077 Abraham, character Genesis 14:17-18 4544 wine Genesis 14:17-20 1680 types
5328 greeting Genesis 14:18-20 1205 God, titles of
5042 name of God, significance
5076 Abraham, life of
5100 Melchizedek
8488 tithing
8638 benedictions
8667 praise, examples Genesis 14:18-23 4055 heaven and earth Library An Example of Faith
'Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureJerusalem
The first name of this city was Shalem, Genesis 14:18, Psalm 76:2, and it is still retained in the writing, however it is read Jerushalaim. "The name of that place is Jehovah-jireh. Abraham called the place Jireh; Shem called it Shalem. Saith God, If I shall call it Jireh, it will displease Shem the Just; if I shall call it Shalem, it will displease Abraham the Just. I will therefore put that name upon it which was put upon it by both, Jireh, Shalem,--Jerusalem."--"We do not, therefore, put Jod between …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Meditations for Household Piety.
1. If thou be called to the government of a family, thou must not hold it sufficient to serve God and live uprightly in thy own person, unless thou cause all under thy charge to do the same with thee. For the performance of this duty God was so well pleased with Abraham, that he would not hide from him his counsel: "For," saith God, "I know him that he will command his sons and his household after him that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Tithing
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Mal. 3:10). Down deep in the heart of every Christian there is undoubtedly the conviction that he ought to tithe. There is an uneasy feeling that this is a duty which has been neglected, or, if you prefer it, a privilege that has not been …
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing Bethphage
There is very frequent mention of this place in the Talmudists: and, certainly, a more careful comparison of the maps with those things which are said by them of the situation of this place is worthy to be made; when they place it in mount Olivet, these make it contiguous to the buildings of Jerusalem. I. In the place cited in the margin, the case "of a stubborn judge" (or elder) is handling. For when, by the prescript of the law, difficult matters, and such things as concerning which the lower councils …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
SYRIA AT THE BEGINNING OF THE EGYPTIAN CONQUEST NINEVEH AND THE FIRST COSSAEAN KINGS-THE PEOPLES OF SYRIA, THEIR TOWNS, THEIR CIVILIZATION, THEIR RELIGION-PHOENICIA. The dynasty of Uruazagga-The Cossseans: their country, their gods, their conquest of Chaldaea-The first sovereigns of Assyria, and the first Cossaean Icings: Agumhakrime. The Egyptian names for Syria: Khara, Zahi, Lotanu, Kefatiu-The military highway from the Nile to the Euphrates: first section from Zalu to Gaza-The Canaanites: …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4 Moses and his Writings
[Illustration: (drop cap W) Clay letter tablet of Moses' time.] We now begin to understand a little of the very beginning of God's Book--of the times in which it was written, the materials used by its first author, and the different kinds of writing from which he had to choose; but we must go a step farther. How much did Moses know about the history of his forefathers, Abraham and Jacob, and of all the old nations and kings mentioned in Genesis, before God called him to the great work of writing …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making The Pioneer's Influence Upon a Nation's Ideals.
ABRAHAM, THE TRADITIONAL FATHER OF HIS RACE.--Gen. 12:1-8; 13:1-13; 16; 18, 19; 21:7; 22:1-19. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible I, 73-94. Prin of Pol., 160-175. Jehovah said to Abraham, Go forth from thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, to the land that I will show thee, that I may make of thee a great nation; and I will surely bless thee, and make thy name great, so that thou shalt be a blessing, I will also bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4 The Gospel Feast
"When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?"--John vi. 5. After these words the Evangelist adds, "And this He said to prove him, for He Himself knew what He would do." Thus, you see, our Lord had secret meanings when He spoke, and did not bring forth openly all His divine sense at once. He knew what He was about to do from the first, but He wished to lead forward His disciples, and to arrest and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII The Promise to the Patriarchs.
A great epoch is, in Genesis, ushered in with the history of the time of the Patriarchs. Luther says: "This is the third period in which Holy Scripture begins the history of the Church with a new family." In a befitting manner, the representation is opened in Gen. xii. 1-3 by an account of the first revelation of God, given to Abraham at Haran, in which the way is opened up for all that follows, and in which the dispensations of God are brought before us in a rapid survey. Abraham is to forsake …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Tithing
There are few subjects on which the Lord's own people are more astray than on the subject of giving. They profess to take the Bible as their own rule of faith and practice, and yet in the matter of Christian finance, the vast majority have utterly ignored its plain teachings and have tried every substitute the carnal mind could devise; therefore it is no wonder that the majority of Christian enterprises in the world today are handicapped and crippled through the lack of funds. Is our giving to be …
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665 …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 14:18 NIVGenesis 14:18 NLTGenesis 14:18 ESVGenesis 14:18 NASBGenesis 14:18 KJV
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