Melchizedek

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The Mysterious Priest-King

TANAKH

King Melchizedek of Salem is a unique figure who brought out bread and wine and was a priest of God Most High. The book of Genesis, the first book of the Torah, introduces Melchizedek as a king and priest, highlighting his significant yet mysterious role in the narrative.

And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was a priest of God Most High.

Genesis 14:18

Melchizedek's Mystical Connections

MUSAR

The mystical concept of reincarnation links Melchizedek to Aaron and Samuel, suggesting he was both a priest and a Levite. Rabbi Isaiah HaLevi Horowitz’s 17th-century work, Shenei Luchot HaBerit, explores these mystical connections between biblical figures.

When I wrote that Abraham gave to Malki Tzedek both the מעשר and the תרומה, you may ask that one does not give מעשר to a priest but to a Levite, and that Malki Tzedek was a priest! The Arizal explains that Aaron was a re-incarnation of Malki Tzedek's soul, and that the prophet Samuel was a re-incarnation of Aaron's soul. This is hinted at by G–d when He said to Moses in Exodus 4,14: "Is there not Aaron your brother the Levite?" The prophet Samuel was a Levite, and Malki Tzedek was another name for שם the son of Noach. You will note that the first half of the name of the prophet שמואל is שם…

Shenei Luchot HaBerit, Torah Shebikhtav, Toldot, Ner Mitzvah 6

Unveiling Melchizedek's True Identity

COMMENTARY

The rabbinic sages identified Melchizedek as Shem, the son of Noah. The Siftei Chakhamim, a supercommentary on Rashi’s Torah commentary, provides textual evidence for this insight by interpreting the abbreviation of "King of Salem" in reverse.

The Midrash Aggadah explains that he is Sheim. For the abbreviation of מלך שלם, when reversed, spells שם.

Siftei Chakhamim, Genesis 14:18:1

The Consequence of Misplaced Blessings

COMMENTARY

Malki Tzedek was punished for blessing Avram before blessing God, leading to the loss of his position as High Priest. Rabbeinu Bahya, a medieval Jewish commentator, explores the interaction between Malki Tzedek and Avram, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing blessings to God.

ויברכהו ויאמר ברוך אברם לקל עליון קונה שמים וארץ, וברוך קל עליון, “Blessed be Avram to the Supreme G’d who owns heaven and earth, and blessed be the Supreme G’d, etc.” Malki Tzedek first blessed Avram and only then did he bless G’d. He was guilty of a sin by doing so. He should first have blessed G’d just as David did in a similar situation in Samuel I 25, 32-33. David first blessed G’d before he blessed Avigail who had prevented him from becoming guilty of bloodshed. Malki Tzedek was punished for this lack of respect for G’d by losing his position of High Priest…

Rabbeinu Bahya, Bereshit 14:19:4

The Legal Claim of the Tithe

COMMENTARY

Radak challenges the traditional view by asserting that Malki Tzedek gave Avram the tithe not as a gift but as a recognition of Avram's right to it. Rabbi David Kimchi (Radak), a medieval Jewish commentator, provides a unique interpretation of the interaction between Avram and Malki Tzedek in Genesis 14:20.

ויתן לו מעשר מכל, according to most commentators, Avram was the subject in this verse and Malki Tzedek was the recipient. Avraham supposedly gave Malki Tzedek 10% of the cattle captured, in his capacity of being a priest of G’d. My late revered father, Rabbi Joseph Kimchi, explained that actually Malki Tzedek “gave” Avram the tithe as a legal claim. He pronounced it as Avram’s by right, seeing that the King of Sodom had had the effrontery to claim that which Avram had captured as his. In the conversation between Avram and the King…

Radak on Genesis 14:20:3

The Transfer of the Priesthood

TALMUD

The priesthood was originally intended to emerge from Shem, but due to Melchizedek's actions, it was transferred to Abraham and his descendants. The Talmudic tractate Nedarim discusses how Melchizedek, identified as Shem, lost the priesthood by placing the blessing of Abraham before the blessing of God.

Rabbi Zekharya said in the name of Rabbi Yishmael: The Holy One, Blessed be He, wanted the priesthood to emerge from Shem, so that his children would be priests, as it is stated: “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine; and he was priest of God the Most High” (Genesis 14:18). Once Melchizedek, traditionally identified as Shem, placed the blessing of Abraham before the blessing of the Omnipresent, He had the priesthood emerge from Abraham in particular, and not from any other descendant of Shem.

Nedarim 32b:6

Priesthood Beyond Israel

COMMENTARY

Priesthood is not exclusively a Jewish or Israelite institution, as figures like Melchizedek and Jethro, who were not Israelites, are also described as priests in the Torah. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, in his Torah commentary, explores the broader concept of priesthood beyond the Israelite tradition.

What is more, priesthood as such is not seen by the Torah as a distinctively Jewish or Israelite phenomenon. Melchizedek, Abraham’s contemporary, is described as “a priest of the most high God” (Genesis 14:18). Jethro, Moses’ father in law, is described at the beginning of the parasha as “a Midianite priest” (Exodus 18:1). All ancient religions had priests.

Covenant and Conversation; Exodus; The Book of Redemption, Yitro, A Kingdom of Priests 6

A Gesture of Peace and Prophecy

COMMENTARY

Melchizedek's gesture towards Abraham was a sign of peace and a foreshadowing of future Jewish rituals in Jerusalem. Rashi, the renowned 11th-century French biblical commentator, explains the significance of Melchizedek's actions in Genesis 14:18.

לחם ויין BREAD AND WINE — Thus is done for those wearied through battle. He showed him (Abraham) that he bore him no malice for killing his descendants. The Midrashic explanation is that he (Melchizedek) thereby gave an intimation to him (Abraham) of the meal-offerings and libations which his descendants would offer there (in Salem which is Jeru-salem) (Genesis Rabbah 43:6).

Rashi on Genesis 14:18:2

From Melchizedek to Abraham

KABBALAH

The shift of spiritual authority from the descendants of Shem (Melchizedek) to Abraham underscores the importance of prioritizing divine reverence over human relationships. The Zohar, a central text in Jewish mysticism, delves into this significant shift and its implications for the lineage of spiritual leadership.

the letter he was crowned with Vau and Vau with he, and so he ascended and was joined in a perfect bond. This is alluded to in the words “Melchizedek (lit. king of righteousness) king of Salem” (lit. completeness), i.e. the king who rules with complete sovereignty. When is he completely king? On the Day of Atonement, when all faces are illumined.

Zohar, Lech Lecha 24:240

Jerusalem's Divine Monarch Melchizedek

COMMENTARY

Melchizedek is identified as the King of Jerusalem, linking him to the chosen site of the Temple and the divine abode in Zion. The Tur HaArokh, a medieval Jewish commentary, connects Melchizedek to Psalms 76:3, highlighting Jerusalem's significance in Jewish tradition.

ומלכי צדק מלך שלם, “and Malki Tzedek, King of Salem, etc.” he was the King of Jerusalem, as we know from Psalms 76,3 ויהי בשלם סוכו, “His hut (abode) was in Shalem.” According to tradition, the verse is a reference to G’d having His abode in Zion, Jerusalem. As soon as the gentiles had become aware that this was a chosen site, they realized that the Temple would one day be erected there.

Tur HaArokh, Genesis 14:18:1

Melchizedek's Timely Blessing

JEWISH THOUGHT

Melchizedek arrives and receives a blessing from Abraham during Abraham's negotiations with the king of Sodom. Rabbi Isaac Arama's medieval work, Akeidat Yitzchak, delves into the theological and ethical implications of this encounter.

15) Why was the arrival and blessing of Malki Tzedek mentioned as having occurred during the negotiations between Abraham and the king of Sodom about the spoils of war?

Akeidat Yitzchak 16:1:25

Abraham's Trust and Generosity

COMMENTARY

Abraham's generosity and righteousness are exemplified in his giving a tithe to Melchizedek and his refusal to take wealth from the king of Sodom, showing his trust in God. Ramban, a medieval Jewish scholar, explains the motivation and meaning behind Abraham's actions.

AND HE GAVE HIM A TENTH OF ALL. Abraham did not wish to take for himself from a thread even to a sandal tie. But the part of the Most High he set aside in order to give it to the priest. Now the king of Sodom went out to meet Abraham at the vale of Shaveh in his honor, and he accompanied him to the city of Salem where Melchizedek brought out bread and wine for the people that followed him. The king of Sodom did not ask anything of Abraham, but when he saw his generosity and righteousness in giving the tithe to the priest, then he also asked for the souls by way of charity…

Ramban on Genesis 14:20:1