Start with the text.
World English Bible Updated · public domain. The passages below are source text, not AI quotations.
Genesis 14:17-20 Read passage
17The king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).
18Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High.
19He blessed him, and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth.
20Blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave him a tenth of all.
Psalm 110:1-4 Read passage
1The LORD says to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet.”
2The LORD will send out the rod of your strength out of Zion. Rule among your enemies.
3Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array. Out of the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your youth.
4The LORD has sworn, and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews 7:1-10 Read passage
1For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
2to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, “king of righteousness”, and then also “king of Salem”, which means “king of peace”,
3without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God), remains a priest continually.
4Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth out of the best plunder.
5They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham,
6but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises.
7But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.
8Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives.
9We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,
10for he was yet in the body of his father when Melchizedek met him.
Read this in context.
In Israel’s law, kings came from Judah and priests came from Levi; the two offices were separate. Genesis 14 and Psalm 110 provide an earlier scriptural pattern where priesthood and kingship meet in one figure of peace and righteousness.
What we can observe.
Genesis 14:18 names Melchizedek king of Salem and priest of God Most High. Hebrews 7:2-3 notes the meaning of his title (“king of righteousness” and “king of peace”) and the absence of a recorded genealogy in Genesis.
A reading to consider.
Hebrews uses Melchizedek’s story to assure believers that Jesus’ priesthood is permanent and complete.
Where Christians differ.
This guide focuses on the shared textual observations above rather than a survey of denominational positions. It does not claim that every Christian interprets every detail alike.
Read it for yourself.
How does seeing Genesis 14, Psalm 110, and Hebrews 7 together show how the New Testament reads the Old Testament?
A question of your own?
Take what you have read into a guided study. Begin with the passages, explore their context, and keep room for your own reflection.