Who was Melchizedek? Was he ordained as high priest before Abraham's time

Melchizedek is a figure mentioned in various religious texts, including the Bible and the Quran. The story of Melchizedek is shrouded in mystery, and his origins and role are still debated by scholars and theologians alike. In this post, we'll delve into who Melchizedek was, and whether he was ordained as a high priest before Abraham's time.

Who was Melchizedek?

Melchizedek appears in the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament, where he is described as the king of Salem (later known as Jerusalem) and a "priest of God Most High." In the account, he meets Abram (later known as Abraham) after the latter's victory over a group of kings. Melchizedek blesses Abram and offers him bread and wine. Abram, in turn, gives Melchizedek a tenth of everything he owns.

The brief account of Melchizedek in Genesis raises many questions about his origins and role. Was he a historical figure, or a literary device used to convey a message? Was he a priest of the God of Abraham, or a pagan priest who recognized the power of the God of Abraham? Let's explore some of the theories.

Was Melchizedek ordained as a high priest before Abraham's time?

One theory about Melchizedek is that he was a high priest who predated the Levitical priesthood established by Moses. This theory is based on the fact that Melchizedek is described as a "priest of God Most High," and that he blesses Abram. The book of Hebrews in the New Testament also describes Melchizedek as "without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever." (Hebrews 7:3)

This theory suggests that Melchizedek was a type of Christ, who prefigured the eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ. Proponents of this theory point to the fact that the Levitical priesthood was limited by the genealogy of Aaron, while Melchizedek's priesthood was not limited by such constraints.

However, this theory is not universally accepted. Some scholars argue that Melchizedek was a pagan priest who recognized the power of the God of Abraham. They point to the fact that Melchizedek is described as the king of Salem, which was a Canaanite city. They argue that Melchizedek was not a priest of the God of Abraham, but a priest of a pagan deity who recognized the power of the God of Abraham.