Old Testament Persons
Melchizedek as Type of Christ
Priest of the Most High God
Description
Melchizedek, the mysterious king-priest of Salem, appears without genealogy, without beginning or end of days—made like unto the Son of God, abiding a priest continually. Abraham paid tithes to him, showing Melchizedek's superiority to the Levitical priesthood. Christ is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, not after the Levitical order of Aaron. This eternal priesthood is superior because it is not based on physical descent but on the power of an endless life. Christ is both King of righteousness and King of peace—the true Melchizedek.
Key Verses
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.
The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
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.