Melchizedek was the king of Salem and the priest of the Most High God who met Abraham with bread and wine, and Les Feldick teaches that he foreshadowed Jesus' eternal priesthood.
Scripture records his encounter with Abraham in Genesis 14 and describes him in Hebrews 7 as an eternal priest. Les emphasizes that Melchizedek was a Gentile priest, not tied to Israel, and that Jesus is a high priest forever after his order. Les goes further and teaches that Melchizedek was God the Son in a theophany, appearing in human form to Abraham.
Genesis 14:18 — This verse introduces Melchizedek as king of Salem and priest of the Most High God, directly answering who he was.
Hebrews 7:1-3 — The New Testament explanation of Melchizedek's eternal priesthood shows his significance in pointing to Christ.
Hebrews 6:20 — This verse declares Jesus is made a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
In Genesis 14:18, the Bible says, 'And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.' He met Abraham as Abraham returned from defeating the kings, and he blessed him. The writer of Hebrews later describes Melchizedek as 'king of Salem, priest of the most high God' and says Abraham gave him a tenth of all (Hebrews 7:1-2). Hebrews 7:3 adds that Melchizedek was 'without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.' Hebrews 6:20 applies this to Jesus: 'Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.'
Les Feldick places Melchizedek's encounter with Abraham in the area of present-day Jerusalem, noting that Salem means peace and later became Jerusalem. He stresses that Melchizedek was not a priest of Israel or under the Law, because Israel was not yet a nation. Instead, he was a Gentile priest of the Most High God, representing the whole human race. Les explains that the title 'Most High God' is God's Gentile title, showing His relationship to the non-Jewish world. Les's main point is that Melchizedek's priesthood points to Jesus. Since Jesus is a high priest after the order of Melchizedek, not Aaron, His priesthood is not tied to the Law of Israel. Les goes further and says Melchizedek was God the Son in a theophany – God appearing in human form to Abraham – to show that Gentile believers need a high priest not tied to Israel's law.
Abraham met Melchizedek after he returned from pursuing the kings who had overrun Sodom and recaptured Lot. This happened in the valley of Shaveh, which Les identifies as the area of present-day Jerusalem. Melchizedek was king of Salem, and Salem means peace.
Les points out that Israel was not yet on the scene, so Melchizedek was not a priest of the Jews, nor was he from the tribe of Levi. He was a priest of the Most High God for the whole human race. Scripture notes that he had no genealogy, which sets his priesthood apart from the Aaronic order.
Les explains that Jesus was made a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, as Hebrews 6:20 states, and not after Aaron. Because Melchizedek's priesthood was not tied to the Law, Jesus' priesthood can cover all people, including Gentiles. This is the significance of the Melchizedek priesthood for the New Testament.
Les says he maintains that Melchizedek was simply God the Son in a theophany – God appearing in human form – appearing to Abraham in a role that defined the New Testament economy. He did this to show that Gentiles need a high priest who is not tied to the Law of Israel.
The Setting Near Present-Day Jerusalem
This clip establishes that Abraham met the king of Sodom and Melchizedek in the area of present-day Jerusalem after Abraham's victory over the invading kings.
Melchizedek as a Priest Forever
Les teaches that Melchizedek was a high priest forever, and that Christ is a high priest after his order, not after Aaron, because Melchizedek was not a priest of Israel or the Law.
Bread, Wine, and the Priest of the Most High God
This clip introduces the key Genesis 14 details: Melchizedek, as king of Salem, brought out bread and wine and served as priest of the Most High God.
A Gentile Priest for the Whole Human Race
Les explains that because Israel did not yet exist, Melchizedek was a Gentile priest, and that 'Most High God' is God's term for the non-Jewish world. Jesus is made a high priest after this order.
Salem Means Peace
This clip connects Salem to Jerusalem and draws attention to Melchizedek's roles as king and priest.
Hebrews 7: King of Righteousness and Peace
Les reads the New Testament description of Melchizedek as king of righteousness, king of peace, without genealogy, and abiding as a priest continually, showing the order Jesus fulfills.
Before Israel Was Formed
Les stresses that Melchizedek was not a high priest of the Jews, since Israel had not been formed, and that this encounter was loaded with prophetic impact.
Melchizedek as a Theophany
Les maintains that Melchizedek was God the Son in a theophany — God appearing in human form — to show that we as Gentiles need a high priest not tied to Israel's law.
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 only Old Testament narrative of Melchizedek's meeting with Abraham.
Hebrews 6:20: Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
This verse directly ties Jesus' priesthood to Melchizedek's order.
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 Melchizedek's title and role.
Hebrews 7:2: To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
Explains the meaning of Melchizedek's names.
Hebrews 7:3: Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
Describes Melchizedek's unique eternal priesthood.
In Genesis 14:18, Melchizedek is introduced as the king of Salem and the priest of the Most High God. He brought out bread and wine to Abraham, blessed him, and Abraham gave him tithes.
No. Les Feldick explains that Israel had not yet been formed, so Melchizedek was not a Jewish priest or from the tribe of Levi. He was a Gentile priest of the Most High God, representing the entire human race.
Jesus is made a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, as Hebrews 6:20 says. Because Melchizedek's priesthood was not tied to Israel's Law, Jesus can serve as high priest for all people.
Yes, Les says he maintains that Melchizedek was God the Son in a theophany — God appearing in human form. He appeared to Abraham to show that the coming high priest for the world would not be tied to Israel's law.
Watch the Teaching: Why Animal Blood Only Covered Sin — Leviticus 16 Explained