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Melchizedek
Summary
Melchizedek is mentioned in Genesis chapter 14 as the one to whom Abram paid tithes after the battle he fought to free Lot:
“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.” (Genesis 14:18-20)
The identity of Melchizedek is somewhat debated. A common teaching is that Melchizedek was a reincarnation of Adam. This is based on a later passage that states Melchizedek did not have a mother or father. We will examine that passage and learn that he could not be a reincarnation of Adam. We will discover that Melchizedek is actually Christ.
Examining The Hebrew
“Melchizadek” is a combination of the Hebrew words melek and tsedeq. The word melek is found 2,523 times in the Bible and it is always translated “king,” with two exceptions where it was translated “royal.”
The word tsedeq is found 116 times in the Bible and is almost always translated as “righteousness” or “justice.”
Immediately we think of Christ. He is the King of Righteousness. He is the King of Justice.
Melchizadek is presented to us in Genesis chapter 18 as the king of Salem. The word “Salem” is translated from the Hebrew word shalem which means “perfect.” Shalem is a derivative of the Hebrew word shalom which means “peace.”
Again, when we think of perfection and peace we think of Christ.
Bread And Wine
We read that Melchizedek brought forth bread and wine:
“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.”
(Genesis 14:18)
This again reminds us of Christ. He is the Bread of Life which brings salvation:
“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35)
The wine signifies the blood of Christ which also brings salvation:
“Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:54)
Confirmation In The New Testament
Our conclusions above are confirmed for us in the New Testament:
“For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.” (Hebrews 7:1-3)
Only Christ can be described as the King of Peace:
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Notice Hebrews 7:1-3 also refers to Melchizedek as the continual priest of the most high God. That again is a description of Christ:
“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus” (Hebrews 3:1)
Hebrews 7:1-3 also refers to Melchizedek has being without father, without mother, without descent, and having no beginning or end of life. No human being could fit that description. Even Adam had a beginning and end to his life. The only One who can fit this description is God and, of course, God and Christ are the same:
“I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30)
King of Jerusalem
Salem is a shortened reference to Jerusalem:
“In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.” (Psalm 76:2)
It is impossible for there to have been an earthly king of Salem in Genesis chapter 14 because Jerusalem did not yet exist. Genesis chapter 14 is referencing a spiritual King. God is the King of heavenly Jerusalem:
“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels” (Hebrews 12:22)
Melchizedek must be a reference to Christ.
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