Who Was Melchizedek?

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BIBL 410-D11 03/30/2013 Who Was Melchizedek? Melchizedek is one of the most mysterious figures in the Bible. His role is apocalyptic and intriguing. Little is known about him, and much is made of the little that is known. The significance of Melchizedek, the first priest who appears in the Bible and is neither a Christian nor a Jew. He appears in person only once, and He speaks only a few words, and they are words of blessing and, in one sense, words of greeting. Melchizedek comes unannounced, and meets Abram as he returns from battle after defeating his enemies. He entertains Abram with bread and wine, and invokes upon him the blessings of God Most High, and blesses God Most High who has granted him victory over his enemies. Abram responds, instinctively, and obeisantly, by giving his unexpected visitor one-tenth of everything he has. That is all. Their encounter is over in three cryptic verses: Gen. 14:18-20. As far as we know, this was their first and last meeting (T.K Thomas). Melchizedek is king and priest. His name means, king of righteousness. He dwells in Salem, place of peace. He did not go out to war, and had no part in the quarrel between Chedorlaomer and the king of Sodom. He had lost no relatives, and had no reason for fighting. A king of righteousness, he would not think it his duty to submit to unrighteousness. He was, however, left unattacked by the fierce Chedorlaomer, and took care to provoke no quarrel. Perhaps he was not assailed because universally respected as a man of peace and a priest of God (F. Hastings). We have no idea of where Melchizedek came from, how he came to be in Canaan, how he came to be a worshipper and priest of the true God, and how Abram came to know about him. We only know he was there. The name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness.” He is the king of Salem, and Salem is the original Jerusalem, and

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