Melchizedek is indeed one of the most mysterious and enigmatic figures in the Bible. Extraordinary things are written about him, to the extent that some Christians even believe that he might be Jesus himself. However, there isn’t much information about him in the Scriptures. In fact, there are only a handful of Bible verses in the Old and New Testaments that mention Melchizedek.
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Abraham was blessed by Melchizedek and gave him his tithe
According to various Bible verses, Melchisedek was a priest of God who lived during the time of Abraham and even personally encountered him. In the Old Testament of the Bible, it is written:
But Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. (Genesis 14:18-20)
Furthermore, Abraham gave him tithes, indicating that he esteemed Melchizedek higher than himself, as the following Bible verse states:
For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all. (Hebrews 7:1)
At this point, one might argue that Jesus stated that he existed before Abraham and he saw his day.
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. (John 8:58)
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. (John 8:56)
However, it is unclear whether these Bible verses actually refer to Melchizedek’s encounter with Abraham or not.
Melchizedek has neither mother nor father, neither beginning of days nor end of life
The meaning of Melchizedek’s name is “King of Righteousness.” Furthermore, he is also called the King of Salem, which translates to “King of Peace,” as the following Bible verse indicates:
To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace. (Hebrews 7:2)
These facts already point to striking similarities with Jesus. However, perhaps the most explicit Bible passage suggesting the similarity between Melchizedek and Jesus is the following:
Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. (Hebrews 7:3)
For here it is not only stated that Melchizedek has neither mother nor father and neither beginning nor end, but also that he is likened to the Son of God.
Jesus is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek
Even in the Old Testament, there is a Bible passage in which Jesus is called a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. (Psalm 110:1-5)
But also the New Testament of the Bible testifies it multiple times:
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:20)
For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 7:17)
Conclusion
The similarities between Melchizedek and Jesus are absolutely astonishing and striking. However, whether Melchizedek is truly Jesus or not is not explicitly clarified in the Bible, which is why we can only speculate. It is always best to refrain from adding to the Scripture and not to overinterpret anything, that we won’t deviate from the path of truth.
If you want to find out more about the similarities between Jesus and Melchizedek, check this article out: https://www.staybiblical.com/preexistence-of-jesus-bible-verses/
