Melchizedek, a theophany?

• Messages sorted by:[ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]

f. The blessing by Melchizedek (14:17-24)
14:17-21. This is one of the most fascinating encounters in the Old
Testament. Two kings met Abram on his return from the battle, and they
could not possibly have been more different. In contrast with the wicked
city of Sodom and its ruler Bera (v. 2), who also was undoubtedly wicked,
was Melchizedek king of Salem (i.e., Jerusalem, Ps. 76:2), a priest of God
Most High (Gen. 14:18). Melchizedek's name (which means "king of
righteousness") suggests a righteous ruler who was God's representative.
(Some Bible students believe Melchizedek was a theophany, an appearance of
the preincarnate Christ.)
Melchizedek is the only person whom Abram recognized as his spiritual
superior. Abram accepted blessing from him (v. 19), and Abram paid him a
10th (a tithe) of all he had (v. 20). Abram did this deliberately, in full
awareness of what he was doing. It shows how unthreatened and humble Abram
was, even after a victory. He recognized that God's revelation was not
limited to him. While the reader's attention is focused on Abram carrying
the whole spiritual hope of the world, there emerged out of an obscure
Canaanite valley a man nearer to God than Abram was, who blessed Abram.
That valley was the Valley of Shaveh (v. 17), possibly the Kidron Valley
near Jerusalem (cf. 2 Sam. 18:18).
The arrangement of Abram's confrontation is chiastic: (a) the king of Sodom
met Abram (Gen. 14:17), (b) the king of Salem met Abram (v. 18), (b1) the
king of Salem blessed Abram (vv. 19-20), (a1) the king of Sodom offered
Abram a deal (v. 21). The fact that the offer from the king of Sodom came
after Melchizedek's blessing helped Abram keep things in perspective.


Lynna Lunsford

Ephesians 4:5
One Lord, One faith, One Baptism