What title is Melchizedek given in Genesis 14?
a) King of Canaan
b) King of Salem and priest of God Most High
c) King of Sodom
d) King of the Jordan Valley
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is b) King of Salem and priest of God Most High.
In Genesis 14, Melchizedek is introduced as both the king of Salem and the priest of God Most High. His title is unique because it combines both royal and priestly roles, which was not a common combination in the ancient world. This dual role is significant in several ways.
First, the title “king of Salem” identifies Melchizedek as the ruler of a city that would later become Jerusalem. The name “Salem” is often associated with peace, and some scholars believe it is a precursor to the city of Jerusalem, which would later become a central location in the biblical narrative.
Second, Melchizedek’s title as priest of God Most High indicates his spiritual authority. He is depicted as a priest who serves the same God that Abraham worships, and this connection between Melchizedek and the Most High God is critical. It sets him apart from other kings in the narrative, especially considering that many of the kings in the region were involved in polytheistic practices.
When Melchizedek meets Abram (later Abraham) after the latter’s victory in a battle, he blesses Abram and offers him bread and wine, which has symbolic significance in the Christian tradition, particularly in relation to the Eucharist. Abram, in turn, gives him a tenth of the spoils of the battle, acknowledging Melchizedek’s priestly authority.
Melchizedek’s appearance is brief, but his role as a priest and king foreshadows significant theological developments in the Bible. He is later referenced in Psalms and in the New Testament, where he is seen as a type of Christ, embodying the idea of an eternal priesthood.