Thought for the Week:

Apostolic lore does not attempt to identify Melchizedek. Instead, the writer of the epistle to the Hebrews notes that the Torah introduces Melchizedek "without father, without mother, without genealogy" (Hebrews 7:2). The writer of Hebrews explains that Melchizedek was the king of Jerusalem (Salem), the king of peace, and he represents the Messianic priesthood.

Commentary:

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth.” (Genesis 14:18–19)

As Abraham returned to Canaan, Melchizedek the king and high priest at Salem came out to meet him. The name Malki-tzedek (מַלכי־צדק ) means “King of Righteousness.” Jewish tradition associates Melchizedek with Shem, the righteous son of Noah. Chronologically, the identification works because “Shem lived five hundred years…