File:The Phillip Medhurst Picture Torah 85. Melchizedek. Genesis cap 14 v 18. Borcht.jpg

Photo by Phillip Medhurst from Wikimedia

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Melchizedek


 

Melchizedek, the king of Salem, is one of the most mysterious biblical figures.

Although there is little known about him, his name is common in early and modern Christianity.

He is mentioned in old and in the New Testament; he is considered an important figure in Christianity.

Melchizedek was both a king and a priest of Jerusalem and was highly revered by Abraham.

Here are some amazing facts about Melchizedek.

1 Melchizedek is Mentioned in both Bible Testaments

In the Old Testament, Melchizedek is described as a king or a priest.

In Genesis chapter 1, after Abraham returned from war, He paid tithe to this king.

He is described as the king of Salem, and a priest of the highest God.

The New Testament has a whole chapter in the book of Hebrew, discussing Melchizedek and his priesthood.

Melchizedek is mentioned 10 times in the whole Bible, 2 times in the Old Testament, and 8 times in the New Testament.

2. Melchizedek is From an unknown Lineage

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Image by Luk Creten by Wikimedia

The identity of Melchizedek is mysterious since there are no official records of his ancestry.

The book of Hebrew described him as without father or mother, without genealogy and without beginning of days or end of life.

 According to one Jewish legend, Melchizedek, the king of Salem, might have been Shem, the eldest son of Noah.

The bible does not explain where Melchizedek came from or where he went, some early Christians also believed he was a manifestation of the Son of God.

3. Melchizedek is Mentioned in the Three Books of the Bible

Melchizedek is mentioned in the Psalms, Genesis, and Hebrews. The Old Testament describes his royal priesthood.

 The book of Hebrew compares Melchizedek to Jesus. All the books indicate that he lived in the time of Abraham.

The Genesis account introduces Melchizedek near the beginning of Abraham’s story; he is introduced as a king during the time of Abraham.

 The book of Psalms, mentions him when describing a royal priesthood. This shows that the figure of Melchizedek retained some religious significance to Abraham’s descendants.

In the book of Hebrews, Melchizedek is shown as a case study for Jesus’ priesthood.

4. Melchizedek is the King of Salem

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Image by Luc Creten from Wikimedia

In Genesis 14:18 Salem is given as the home of Melchizedek. Salem means a complete and peaceful city. He is described as the king of Salem and priest of the highest.

The book of Hebrews connects Jesus to Melchizedek. Jesus is the high priest of the new covenant, much like Melchizedek was the high priest.

5. Melchizedek was Superior to Abraham

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Image by Art UK from Wikimedia

According to the Bible narrative, after Abraham returned from rescuing his nephew, he gave a tenth of his war spoils to Melchizedek.

In return Melchizedek who was the priest of the highest blessed him. According to Jewish culture, the greater blessed the lesser.

Since Abraham gave his tithe to Melchizedek and received blessings in return. It can only mean that Melchizedek was greater than Abraham.

In the book of Hebrew, the author connects the priest of the most high in the Old Testament to Jesus Christ who is the Son of God.

As Son of God, Jesus is Greater than any other mortal man including Abraham.

6. Melchizedek Lived During Abraham’s Time

The bible narrates that after Abraham heard that his nephew Lot have been attacked and taken captive. He went and rescued him together with his servants and all his possessions.

He also plundered the enemy and came back with war spoils.

As Abraham’s procession was returning home, Melchizedek the priest of the most high came to meet him.

Melchizedek blessed him and Abraham gave him a tenth of his root. That means Abraham and Melchizedek lived at the same time.

7. Melchizedek is The Image of Christ

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Photo by Nheyob from Wikimedia

Melchizedek is mentioned twice in the Old Testament, yet the book of Hebrew takes the whole chapter to describe him.

The author of the book of Hebrew in the New Testament explains the importance of Jesus as the high priest.

He demonstrates that the role of Melchizedec in the Old Testament was to mediate between Abraham and God, the same way the role of Christ is to mediate between man and God.

The book of Hebrew connects the priesthood of Jesus Christ with the priesthood of Melchizedek, rather than the priesthood of Aaron, which was more popular.

8. Melchizedek is the Priest of the Most High

 

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photo by Aroundwithme from Wikimedia

A priest is someone who performs religious rituals for divine beings on behalf of people.

They also frequently offer sacrifices and do other things on behalf of humans.

Mediation between people and their gods is their duty. They serve gods on behalf of the people.

A priest is considered to hold a high standard than ordinary people; a priest is clean and without blemishes.

The books of Exodus and Leviticus give some insight into what was required for one to be ordained as a Hebrew priest.

According to the Bible, Abraham is the father of Israel; he was holy and favored by God.

Melchizedek blessed Abraham and took his tithe on behalf of God because he is the priest of the most high .

9. Melchizedek is everlasting

 Psalms 110 promises that the Lord will not change his mind, and will make Christ a priest of the most high and remain so forever, in the Order of Melchizedek.

In the book of Hebrew, he likens Melchizedek’s priesthood to the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

The book of Hebrew alludes that there have been many priests, and since they have all died their priesthood ceased to exist.

Jesus Christ who died and was resurrected will live forever, he has a permanent priesthood.

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him because he always lives to intercede for them.

Because Christ is the priest of the most high, in the order of Melchizedec, he is everlasting.

10. Melchizedek blessed Abraham

Abram has just returned from defeating four kings in battle, Melchizedek brings out bread and wine for the hero. Then Melchizedek blesses Abraham.

Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered your enemies into your hand. Genesis 14:18.

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