Who Was Melchizedek? The Mysterious Priest and King

Melchizedek is one of the most mysterious figures in the Bible. He only appears briefly in the scriptures, but his story has sparked questions and debates for centuries. Who was he? Why is he important? And what does he have to do with Jesus?

The first time we hear about Melchizedek is in Genesis 14:18-20. He suddenly appears as the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High. He brings bread and wine to Abram (later called Abraham) and blesses him. In return, Abram gives him a tenth of everything he owns—a practice that later becomes known as tithing. What makes Melchizedek so interesting is that he is both a king and a priest. In most of the Bible, these two roles are kept separate. But Melchizedek is different. He seems to have a special connection to God that doesn’t follow the usual religious rules.

Hundreds of years later, Melchizedek is mentioned again in the New Testament. The Book of Hebrews compares Jesus to Melchizedek, saying that Jesus is "a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 7:17). This means that, like Melchizedek, Jesus is both a king and a priest. But unlike the Jewish priests of the time, who had to come from a specific family, Jesus' authority comes directly from God. For Christians, this is a big deal. It shows that Jesus' role as a leader is not based on human traditions but on a divine plan.

The mystery deepens when we look at different ideas about who Melchizedek was. Some Jewish traditions say he was actually Shem, Noah’s son. Others believe he was an angel or even a divine being. Some scholars think his story was added later to give more importance to the Jerusalem priesthood. His name also raises questions. "Melchi" means "king," and "Zedek" means "righteousness." Some historians believe he may have been linked to an ancient Canaanite god of justice.

Melchizedek’s story isn’t just in the Bible. The Dead Sea Scrolls describe him as a powerful heavenly being who will return at the end of time. Some early Christian texts even suggest that Melchizedek and Jesus are the same person, just appearing at different times in history. Other ancient writings, like those found in the Nag Hammadi library, describe Melchizedek as someone who lived, taught, died, and rose again—just like Jesus. This has led some people to believe he was a preview of Jesus before the Messiah was born.

Many Christian groups see Melchizedek as an important figure. In Catholicism, his name is mentioned in special prayers during Mass. The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates him on May 22 and two Sundays before Christmas. In the Armenian Apostolic Church, he is honored on July 26. Protestants, following Martin Luther’s ideas, generally believe Melchizedek was a real person who represents Jesus' role as a priest and king. Some theologians even think he was Jesus appearing on Earth before being born as the Messiah.

Melchizedek plays a key role in the Latter-day Saint (Mormon) faith. The Book of Mormon mentions him as a leader of a special priesthood. Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter-day Saint movement, established two priesthoods—the Aaronic and the Melchizedek. The Melchizedek Priesthood is considered the higher authority, directly connected to Jesus, and includes roles like elder, high priest, patriarch, seventy, and apostle. For Latter-day Saints, this priesthood represents a divine responsibility given to those who are "called" to serve.

Melchizedek is not mentioned in the Quran, but some Islamic scholars compare him to Khidr, a wise and mysterious figure in Islamic tradition. In Isma’ili Islam, Melchizedek—called Malik as-Salām, or “King of Peace”—is believed to have played a role in guiding Abraham. Some Isma’ili writings from the 1300s even say Melchizedek will return as a divine judge to reveal hidden spiritual truths.

Even though Melchizedek’s story is short, it has had a huge impact on religious thought. Some see him as a historical figure, while others believe he was a symbol of Jesus' priesthood. Others think he was a divine being who appeared to guide people toward God. For Christians, Melchizedek is a key connection to Jesus' eternal priesthood. For Jewish scholars, he represents an ancient spiritual leader. And for other religious traditions, he remains a mysterious figure who might hold deeper meaning.