Page 57 - Hebrews- Student Textbook

Study Section 10: Melchizedek – a Type of Christ

10.1 Connect

Melchizedek, whose name means “king of righteousness,” was a king of Salem (Jerusalem)
and priest of the Most High God (Genesis 14:18–20; Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6–11; 6:20—
7:28). Melchizedek’s sudden appearance and disappearance in the book of Genesis is
somewhat mysterious. Melchizedek and Abraham first met after Abraham’s defeat of
Chedorlaomer and his three allies. Melchizedek presented bread and wine to Abraham and
his weary men, demonstrating friendship. He bestowed a blessing on Abraham in the name of El
Elyon (“God Most High”) and praised God for giving Abraham a victory in battle (Genesis 14:18–20).

Abraham presented Melchizedek with a tithe (a tenth) of all the items he had gathered from the war. By
this act Abraham indicated that he recognized Melchizedek as a priest who ranked higher spiritually
than he. Some theologians propose that Melchizedek was actually a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus
Christ, or a Christophany. This is a possible theory, given that Abraham had received such a visit before.
Consider Genesis 17 where Abraham saw and spoke with the Lord (El Shaddai) in the form of a man. It
is possible that Abraham, after his weary battle, met and gave honor to the Lord Jesus Himself.
45

In this lesson we will meet this mysterious person and see how the book of Hebrews relates Him to
Christ.

10.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to explain who Melchizedek is and why he represents Christ in his
priesthood.

2. The student should be able to explain how the New Covenant is superior to the Mosaic Law.

3. The student should be able to explain how the New Covenant is superior over the Old Covenant.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN, Read Hebrews Chapter 7 and Chapter 8 from your Bible...

10.3 Chapter 7 Melchizedek – A type of Christ

Chapter 7:1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met
Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

7:1 "Melchizedek" He was a Gentile king/priest of the old Canaanite city then called Salem,
which later became Jebus and then later Jerusalem. His name means "my king of
righteousness" (very similar to the name of the king of Jerusalem in Jos. 10:1, "my lord is righteous").
His lineage is never mentioned, but Abraham pays homage to him. This is why he is such an appropriate

45 Got Questions (https://www.gotquestions.org/Melchizedek.html)
55