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This article is about the biblical figure. Alternatively, you may be looking for the article on Melchisédech Thévenot (ca. 1620-1692)
Melchizedek or Malki-tzédek (מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק / מַלְכִּי־צָדֶק "My king is righteous", Standard Hebrew Malki-ẓédeq / Malki-ẓádeq, Tiberian Hebrew Malkî-ṣéḏeq / Malkî-ṣāḏeq), sometimes written Malchizedek, Melchisedec, Melchisedech, or Melchisedek, is a character in the Bible who appeared in Genesis to the patriarch Abraham. He is called "king of Salem" (believed to be ancient Jerusalem) and "priest of the most high God" in Genesis 14:18.
In the Hebrew Bible
In the Tanakh, Melchizedek brought bread and wine to Abraham (then Abram) after Abraham's victory over the four kings who had besieged Sodom and Gomorrah and had taken his nephew Lot prisoner (described in Genesis 14). (Gen. 14:18.) Melchizedek blessed Abraham in the name of “God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.” (Gen. 14:19.) In return, Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth, a tithe, of the spoils gained from the battle. (Gen. 14:20.)
In some translations, Psalm 110:4 names Melchizedek as representative of the priestly line through which a future king of Israel's Davidic line was ordained. Alternatively, the term in Psalm 110:4 can be read “rightful king.” (E.g., New JPS Tanakh.)
In Rabbinic Interpretation
In the Midrash, the Rabbis identified Melchizedek with Shem son of Noah. (E.g., B. Talmud Nedarim 32b; Genesis Rabbah 46:7; Genesis Rabbah 56:10; Leviticus Rabbah 25:6; Numbers Rabbah 4:8.) Rabbi Isaac the Babylonian said that Melchizedek was born circumcised. (Genesis Rabbah 43:6.) Melchizedek called Jerusalem “Salem.” (Genesis Rabbah 56:10.) The Rabbis said that Melchizedek instructed Abraham in the Torah. (Genesis Rabbah 43:6.) Rabbi Eleazar said that Melchizedek’s school was one of three places where the Holy Spirit manifested itself. (B. Talmud Makkot 23b.) The Rabbis taught that Melchizedek acted as a priest and handed down Adam’s robes to Abraham. (Numbers Rabbah 4:8.) Rabbi Zechariah said on Rabbi Ishmael’s authority that God intended to bring forth the priesthood through Melchizedek’s descendents, but because Melchizedek blessed Abraham before he blessed God (in Gen. 14:19-20), God brought the priesthood forth from Abraham’s descendents. (B. Talmud Nedarim 32b; see also Leviticus Rabbah 25:6 (crediting Rabbi Ishamel).)
Rabbi Judah said in Rabbi Nehorai's name that Melchizedek’s blessing yielded prosperity for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Genesis Rabbah 43:8.) Ephraim Miksha'ah the disciple of Rabbi Meir said in the latter's name that Tamar descended from Melchizedek. (Genesis Rabbah 85:10.)
Rabbi Hana bar Bizna citing Rabbi Simeon Hasida identified Melchizedek as one of the four craftsmen of whom Zechariah wrote in Zechariah 2:3. (B. Talmud Sukkah 52b; see also Song of Songs Rabbah 2:33 (crediting Rabbi Berekiah in the name of Rabbi Isaac).) The Talmud teaches that David wrote the Book of Psalms, including in it the work of the elders, including Melchizedek (in Psalm 110). (B. Talmud Baba Batra 14b-15a.)
The Zohar finds in “Melchizedek king of Salem” a reference to “the King Who rules with complete sovereignty,” or according to another explanation, that “Melchizedek” alludes to the lower world and “king of Salem” to the upper world. (Zohar, Bereshit, 1:86b-87a:)
In the New Testament and Christian Interpretation
Psalms 110 refers to the future king – in Christian belief, Jesus – as a "priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." (Psalm 110:4.) In the old testament times, only the people from the tribe of Levi were priests to God. Melchizedek was not from the tribe of Levi yet he was "priest of the most high God". Genesis 14:18
Melchizedek appears in Hebrews 5:6-10; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:1-21; and Hebrews 8:1. "Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek".
And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises" (Hebrews 7:5-6).
If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law" (Hebrews 7:11-12).
Hebrews 7:3 in the New Testament refers to Melchizedek as a king "without father or mother or genealogy", a reference which some Christians take as a type of Christ. Since Christ has no beginning and no end, He has no spiritual father and mother, hence no godly genealogy either.
In the theology of the Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints relies on additional scripture beyond the Bible, including the Doctrine and Covenants and Book of Mormon. In both of these books additional information on Melchizedek is recorded. In the Book of Mormon, Melchizedek is described as a King of Salem. At the time he assumed control of the city, the people were very wicked. Through the righteous exercise of the priesthood, he was able to preach repentance. The entire city obeyed Melchizedek and purified itself. Later, it was caught up to meet the city of Enoch. The Doctrine and Covenants names Melchizedek as the great high priest, and explains why the Melchizedek Priesthood is so named. Some members of the Church believe that Shem was Melchizedek, although no position has been officially adopted by the Church.
The historical Melchizedek
Melchizedek is a character in the early story of humanity as told in the Hebrew Bible. There is no evidence external to the Bible that he was a real historical figure. Some have argued that grammar and stylistic considerations indicate the account of Melchizidek is actually a non-Jewish tradition which was inserted at this point due to its mentioning of Abraham.
See also
- Melchizedek is a character in The Alchemist.