Melchizedek was the King of Salem, he worshipped no Canaanite god. He was a historical character who brought wine & bread out to Abraham and blessed him. Davis states that there are four basic proposals of who he was:
1. A theophany of the pre-incarnate Christ
2. A historical human person who typified Christ
3. Was a Canaanite priest
4. He was Shem
Davis states that the most likely of the four is “A historical human person who typified Christ. He was also a priest, and Christ came from this linage, he indeed was an example of our Lord Jesus.
James Brown author of the book “Melchizedek” states that there is not much in the Bible that is mentioned about this man. Amid the evil in this land, he appeared to have been known the righteous law of God, conducted himself as such and ruled in obedience to those laws, which won the name Melchizedek, or King of Righteousness. He drew no sword against his brother’s life; and his little city was designed Salem, or “Peace” . His village was near one of the great highways of the land, and when anyone passed that way that was wounded, he was known to give them wine and food and bless them. He thus became to be recognized as a priest of the Most High God. David, the Hebrew psalmist recognized the true type or similitude of the priesthood of Christ, not in the sons of Aaron, who ministered in the temple.
According to T.K. Thomas, Melchizedek is one of the most mysterious figures in the Bible. His role is apocalyptic and interesting, but little is known about this man. He speaks only a few words and they are blessings and in a sense, words of greeting. He comes into the story unannounced, and meets Abraham as he is returning from battle after defeating his enemies. He entertains Abraham with bread & wine and invokes upon him the blessing of God, and blesses God who has given him victory over his enemies. As far as we know, this was their first and last meeting. He disappears as quickly as he comes into the story, he then comes back into the picture in Psalms 110:4 regarding him as a priest and king. He appears to have been the head or founder of an order of priesthood that is obviously different from the Levitical or Aaronic order. That in turn means he cannot be dismissed as a shadowy figure from the distant past, but is part of a living tradition which has historical and theological significance.
I agree with all the writings and books that I have looked at, that he was indeed was the King of Salem, and a high priest of the Most High God. He was not a Jew though he appears to have worshipped God. The Bible does not shed any light on Melchizedek's religious rituals except to mention that he brought out "bread and wine" for Abram. This act and Melchizedek's holiness have led some to describe him as a type of Christ, one of those Bible people who show the same qualities as Jesus Christ, Savior of the World. With no record of father or mother, and no genealogical background in Scripture, this description is fitting. Other go a step further, theorizing that Melchizedek may have been a theophany of Christ, or a manifestation of deity in temporary form.
1. A theophany of the pre-incarnate Christ
2. A historical human person who typified Christ
3. Was a Canaanite priest
4. He was Shem
Davis states that the most likely of the four is “A historical human person who typified Christ. He was also a priest, and Christ came from this linage, he indeed was an example of our Lord Jesus.
James Brown author of the book “Melchizedek” states that there is not much in the Bible that is mentioned about this man. Amid the evil in this land, he appeared to have been known the righteous law of God, conducted himself as such and ruled in obedience to those laws, which won the name Melchizedek, or King of Righteousness. He drew no sword against his brother’s life; and his little city was designed Salem, or “Peace” . His village was near one of the great highways of the land, and when anyone passed that way that was wounded, he was known to give them wine and food and bless them. He thus became to be recognized as a priest of the Most High God. David, the Hebrew psalmist recognized the true type or similitude of the priesthood of Christ, not in the sons of Aaron, who ministered in the temple.
According to T.K. Thomas, Melchizedek is one of the most mysterious figures in the Bible. His role is apocalyptic and interesting, but little is known about this man. He speaks only a few words and they are blessings and in a sense, words of greeting. He comes into the story unannounced, and meets Abraham as he is returning from battle after defeating his enemies. He entertains Abraham with bread & wine and invokes upon him the blessing of God, and blesses God who has given him victory over his enemies. As far as we know, this was their first and last meeting. He disappears as quickly as he comes into the story, he then comes back into the picture in Psalms 110:4 regarding him as a priest and king. He appears to have been the head or founder of an order of priesthood that is obviously different from the Levitical or Aaronic order. That in turn means he cannot be dismissed as a shadowy figure from the distant past, but is part of a living tradition which has historical and theological significance.
I agree with all the writings and books that I have looked at, that he was indeed was the King of Salem, and a high priest of the Most High God. He was not a Jew though he appears to have worshipped God. The Bible does not shed any light on Melchizedek's religious rituals except to mention that he brought out "bread and wine" for Abram. This act and Melchizedek's holiness have led some to describe him as a type of Christ, one of those Bible people who show the same qualities as Jesus Christ, Savior of the World. With no record of father or mother, and no genealogical background in Scripture, this description is fitting. Other go a step further, theorizing that Melchizedek may have been a theophany of Christ, or a manifestation of deity in temporary form.