Genesis Bible Study

Genesis 14

By Amy Gentry

“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” Genesis 14:18-20

The Lord has sworn
    and will not change his mind:
“You are a priest forever,
    in the order of Melchizedek.”

Psalm 110:

Apparently there is some significance to Melchizedek in the scriptures.  Is he a forerunner to the Levite priests, Noah’s son Shem, or a theophany of Christ, or a manifestation of deity in temporary form?  After reading what seems like a hundred commentaries on the matter, I cannot begin to tell you exactly who he was.  What I can tell you is the first time I read about him in the scriptures, I pictured Christ.  

“Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” ³ Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.” Hebrews 7:2-3

The Old Testament pointing to the New Testament!

“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine.

He was priest of God Most High…”

Genesis 14:18