Who was Melchizedek?  An historical character or “something” other?

We are first introduced to Melchizedek in Genesis14:18-20 “¹⁸ Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, ¹⁹ and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. ²⁰ And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” (NIV). We see Melchizedek once more in the Old Testament in Psalm 110:4. The significance of Melchizedek is expounded upon in the New Testament book of Hebrews.

Who was Melchizedek? It has been suggested that Melchizedek was not an actual historical character. What does the Bible say about him?

            In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, John Sailhamer treats Melchizedek as a real person and the King of Salem. Sailhamer notes that “After his return from Battle, Abraham was met by two kings in the “Valley of Shaveh” (Lit.,”the king”).[1] Sailhamer identifies these two kings as the King of Sodom and the King of Salam. Sailhamer believes that these two kings are presented as a contradiction. The response to the King of Salem is positive, while the response to the King of Sodom is negative. Sailhamer sees no indication that Melchizedek was anything other than a real historical character.

            John Walton treats Melchizedek as a real person as well. Walton equates Salem to Jerusalem and indicates that Melchizedek, the King of Salem, “is portrayed as the principle king of the region”[2]. Many commentators view Melchizedek as a priest/king of Jehovah God. Walton disagrees. Walton claims that “Since El Elyon could represent the designation of a Canaanite god, we have no reason to think of Melchizedek as a worshiper of Yahweh or even as monotheistic.”[3]

            Gordon Talbot, in his book ‘A Study of the Book of Genesis’, says that Melchizedek is “a mysterious person”. Talbot admits that it is possible that Melchizedek is a Theophany as some scholars believe, but thinks it more likely that Melchizedek was a real person. Talbot asserts that Melchizedek was a priest and worshiper of Jehovah God. “He was not only the king of Salem, but he was also a priest of the most high God. Somehow the concept of Jehovah, the true God, had penetrated the heart of this man.”[4]

            I believe that Melchizedek was in fact a real historical person. I also believe he was the king of Salem, (Jerusalem) and a priest of Jehovah God. I see no indication otherwise. Abraham showed him reverence and gave a tithe to him. The New Testament claims that Jesus “has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:20b NIV). If Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek, it only makes sense that Melchizedek was a priest of the same God Jesus served, namely God the Father, Jehovah.

---

[1] Sailhamer, John, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary vol. 2, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990), 122.

[2] Walton, John H., The NIV Application Commentary, Genesis, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001), 418.

[3] Walton, John H., The NIV Application Commentary, Genesis, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001), 419.

[4] Talbot, Gordon. A Study of the Book of Genesis, (Harrisburg:Christian Publications, 1981), 101.