Melchizedek: Jesus in the Book of Genesis

Genesis chapter 14 recounts how Abram’s (Abraham’s) nephew Lot was caught up in an ancient conflict known as the “War of Four Kings against Five.” In the early stages of the war, the four-king alliance, led by King Kedorlaomer of Elam, defeated the five-king alliance, which included King Bera of Sodom. Lot and his family and possessions were also taken captive. When Abram found out, he led his men to rescue them. He defeated Kedorlaomer and saved Lot’s family (Genesis 14:1-16). On his way back, he met the king of Sodom, and at this time, “Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything” (Genesis 14:18-20).

Melchizedek was both a priest and a king, a strange combination. There was no one like this in Israel. This king-priest brought bread and wine to Abram and his men to restore their strength, and Abram gave him a tenth of his possessions. Here in Genesis, we see a foreshadowing of the Lord Jesus Christ. The New Testament says that Jesus has become a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 6:19-20).

(Compiled and edited based on the Chinese Union Version and a comprehensive biblical interpretation.)