Melchizedek was the king of Salem (Jerusalem) and the priest of the Most High God, who met Abram with bread and wine.
In Genesis 14:18, Melchizedek appears as king of Salem and priest of the Most High God. Les Feldick identifies Salem as the little village that became Jerusalem. He teaches that Melchizedek was not a priest of the Jews but a high priest for all humanity, making him a picture of Christ's priesthood.
Genesis 14:18 — This verse directly introduces Melchizedek and gives the title the Bible uses for him.
Hebrews 7:17 — This verse affirms that Christ's priesthood is after the order of Melchizedek, the point Les connects to Melchizedek's identity.
In Genesis 14:18, Scripture introduces Melchizedek immediately after Abram's victory over the kings. The verse states, "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God." The Genesis account does not give his family line or explain his origin. The New Testament book of Hebrews continues this theme. Hebrews 7:17 says, "For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." This indicates that Melchizedek's priesthood is the pattern for Christ's high priesthood.
Les Feldick points out that Melchizedek came from the little village of Salem, later known as Jerusalem. He emphasizes that Melchizedek was not a priest under the law or of the tribe of Levi; rather, he was a high priest for the whole human race, including the Gentile world. Les repeatedly relates Melchizedek to Christ's priesthood. He says Christ is a high priest after the order of Melchizedek, not after Aaron. Melchizedek is therefore a picture of the priesthood Christ would fulfill. Les also teaches that the bread and wine Melchizedek brought to Abram spoke of Christ's broken body and shed blood, even though Abram likely did not understand that meaning at the time.
Melchizedek first appears in Genesis 14:18, right after Abram's return from defeating the kings. The Bible calls him "king of Salem" and "priest of the most high God." Les Feldick says this Salem was the little village that later became Jerusalem.
Les Feldick says no. Israel was not even on the scene yet when Melchizedek met Abram. He was not a priest of Judaism, Moses, or Aaron; instead, he was a high priest for the whole human race, covering "the whole spectrum of the human race."
Les teaches that Christ's high priesthood is after the order of Melchizedek, not after Aaron. Melchizedek is "a picture then of the priesthood that Christ would fulfill" because he was a priest for all people, not a Levitical priest.
Les Feldick explains that the bread and wine Melchizedek brought forth spoke of Christ's broken body and shed blood. He notes that bread and wine were not part of tabernacle worship, but here they point ahead to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Abram probably had no concept of this, but God knew the end from the beginning.
Jesus as High Priest: The Order of Melchizedek Explained
bread, blessed it, and break it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take eat, this is my body. Verse 27, He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it, for this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Now, right here, I'd like to ask a question.
Meeting at the King's Dale
Les introduces Melchizedek as the priest of the Most High God who came from the area of Jerusalem to meet Abram after his victory.
High Priest of All
Les explains that Melchizedek was high priest for the whole human race, including Gentiles, and that Christ's priesthood follows Melchizedek's order, not Aaron's.
High Priest Forever
Les notes that Melchizedek was a high priest forever and was not a priest under the law or from the tribe of Levi, making him a priest for all.
King of Salem
Les identifies Salem as the little village later known as Jerusalem, and shows Melchizedek bringing bread and wine as priest of the Most High God.
Not a Jewish High Priest
Les stresses that Melchizedek was not a high priest of the Jews, since Israel had not yet been formed.
Most High God and the Whole Human Race
Les teaches that the title 'Most High God' points to God as God of all, not just Israel, and that Melchizedek was high priest of the entire human race.
Bread and Wine Prophecy
Les explains that the bread and wine spoke of Christ's broken body and shed blood, even though Abram did not understand the meaning.
Genesis 14:18: And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
This is the verse directly introducing Melchizedek, answering who he was.
Hebrews 7:1: For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
The New Testament repeats the Genesis description and connects it to the discussion of Christ's priesthood.
Hebrews 7:17: For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
This verse shows why Christ's priesthood is permanent: it follows the order of Melchizedek.
No. Les Feldick points out that Israel wasn't even on the scene yet when Melchizedek met Abram. He was "the high priest of all," covering the whole human race rather than only the Jewish people.
Yes. Les teaches that the bread and wine Melchizedek brought to Abram spoke of Christ's broken body and shed blood. Abram likely had no concept of what it meant, but God knew the end from the beginning.
Because Melchizedek was not a priest under the law or from the tribe of Levi; he was a priest of the Most High God for all people. Christ's priesthood therefore follows that same non-Levitical order.
Watch the Teaching: Jesus as High Priest: The Order of Melchizedek Explained