Hebrews chapter seven picks up on a topical discussion that initially began in chapter five. At that time, our author was diverted by his audience’s inability to grasp anything more than the ABCs of Christianity. However, he is now ready to continue his review of Jesus’ role as our High Priest by turning to a mysterious, shadowy figure who first appeared in the Old Testament book of Genesis…
“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, first being translated ‘king of righteousness,’ and then also king of Salem, meaning ‘king of peace'” (Hebrews 7:1-2).
So who was Melchizedek? Well, other than what we read here in the book of Hebrews, all that is known of Melchizedek is found in two Old Testament passages. The first reference to Melchizedek occurred in Genesis 14:18-20 and the second came centuries later in Psalm 110:4. If it were not for the valuable teachings that are given to us here in Hebrews chapter seven, these references would likely serve as little more than obscure historic footnotes.
We can begin our consideration of this enigmatic figure with a look at the events that surrounded his initial appearance in Genesis 14:18-20. This period encompassed the life of the Biblical patriarch Abraham (then known as Abram). During that time, many Biblical lands were ruled by independent communities or “city-states.” Genesis chapter fourteen relates the account of five kings who ruled city-states in the region of Sodom and Gomorrah and chronicles their decision to revolt against a ruling coalition of four other city-states.
Genesis 14:4 tells us that the citizens of these five city-states had been subject to a man named Kedorlaomer. Kedorlaomer held dominion over these cities for twelve years and apparently served as the leader of the four-city confederacy. That decision to revolt effectively served as a declaration of war, and it’s easy to guess what happened next…
“Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) marched out and drew up their battle lines in the Valley of Siddim against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar–four kings against five” (Genesis 14:8-9 NIV).
So what did these political alliances have to do with Abram and Melchizedek? Probably not much- that is, until one of Abram’s relatives became entangled in their dispute.