Who Was Melchizedek in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)?

Melchizedek is a unique and mysterious person who was only mentioned three times in the Bible. Melchizedek had no recorded family; he was the king of Salem and priest of El-Elyon in the Bible. Melchizedek is the first-mentioned priest in the Bible, in Genesis 14:18-20, where he blessed Abram.

How Is Jesus Related to Melchizedek?

Melchizedek is mentioned a few times in the following Bible verses:

• Genesis 14:18-19: Melchizedek was the king of Salem. He gave Abram bread and wine and blessed him, whereafter Abram gave him a tenth of everything he had.
• Psalms 110:4: In a blessing of David, he said that the Lord would not change his mind and that he would be a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
• Hebrews 5:6-10: This is where a comparison between Jesus to Melchizedek as the high priest was drawn.
• Hebrews 6:19-20: Jesus was declared as a high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
• Hebrews 7: This part explains the history of Melchizedek, his birth, and once again, compares Jesus to Melchizedek.

Jesus is being compared to Melchizedek because there is a lot of similarities between them. Some people even believe Melchizedek and Jesus were the same people.

Some of these similarities are:

• Melchizedek was both king and a priest. Jesus was born as both king and a priest. All kings are from the tribe of Judah while the priests are from the tribe of Levi.
• Melchizedek was called to be made like the son of God, while Jesus is the Son of God.
• Melchizedek has no mother or father. Jesus as the son of man did not have a father and as the son of God did not have a mother.
• Melchizedek has no beginning or end. Jesus also has no beginning or end as the Alpha and Omega.

It is very clear why people think that Melchizedek is the Jesus of the Old Testament. Just adding to the mystery behind who he is. All that is known for sure is that he was both a human king and priest.