SEV Biblia, Chapter 14:18
Entonces Melquisedec, rey de Salem, sacó pan y vino; el cual era sacerdote del Dios alto;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Genesis 14:18
Verse 18. And Melchizedek, king of Salem] A thousand idle stories have been told about this man, and a thousand idle conjectures spent on the subject of his short history given here and in Heb. vii. At present it is only necessary to state that he appears to have been as real a personage as Bera, Birsha, or Shinab, though we have no more of his genealogy than we have of theirs. Brought forth bread and wine] Certainly to refresh Abram and his men, exhausted with the late battle and fatigues of the journey; not in the way of sacrifice, &c.; this is an idle conjecture.
He was the priest of the most high God.] He had preserved in his family and among his subjects the worship of the true God, and the primitive patriarchal institutions; by these the father of every family was both king and priest, so Melchizedek, being a worshipper of the true God, was priest among the people, as well as king over them.
Melchizedek is called here king of Salem, and the most judicious interpreters allow that by Salem, Jerusalem is meant. That it bore this name anciently is evident from Psa. lxxvi. 1, 2: ""In Judah is God known; his name is great in Israel. In SALEM also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion."" From the use made of this part of the sacred history by David, Psa. cx. 4, and by St. Paul, Heb. vii. 1- 10, we learn that there was something very mysterious, and at the same time typical, in the person, name, office, residence, and government of this Cannanitish prince.1. In his person he was a representative and type of Christ; see the scriptures above referred to. 2. His name, qdx yklm malki tsedek, signifies my righteous king, or king of righteousness. This name he probably had from the pure and righteous administration of his government; and this is one of the characters of our blessed Lord, a character which can be applied to him only, as he alone is essentially righteous, and the only Potentate; but a holy man, such as Melchizedek, might bear this name as his type or representative. 3. Office; he was a priest of the most high God. The word hk cohen, which signifies both prince and priest, because the patriarchs sustained this double office, has both its root and proper signification in the Arabic; kahana signifies to approach, draw near, have intimate access to; and from hence to officiate as priest before God, and thus have intimate access to the Divine presence: and by means of the sacrifices which he offered he received counsel and information relative to what was yet to take place, and hence another acceptation of the word, to foretell, predict future events, unfold hidden things or mysteries; so the lips of the priests preserved knowledge, and they were often the interpreters of the will of God to the people. Thus we find that Melchizedek, being a priest of the most high God, represented Christ in his sacerdotal character, the word priest being understood as before explained. 4. His residence; he was king of Salem. µl shalam signifies to make whole, complete, or perfect; and hence it means peace, which implies the making whole the breaches made in the political and domestic union of kingdoms, states, families, &c., making an end of discord, and establishing friendship. Christ is called the Prince of peace, because, by his incarnation, sacrifice, and mediation, he procures and establishes peace between God and man; heals the breaches and dissensions between heaven and earth, reconciling both; and produces glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will among men.His residence is peace and quietness and assurance for ever, in every believing upright heart. He governs as the Prince and Priest of the most high God, ruling in righteousness, mighty to save; and he ever lives to make intercession for, and save to the uttermost all who come unto the Father by him. See the notes on Heb. vii.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 17-20 - Melchizedek is spoken of as a king of Salem, supposed to be the plac afterwards called Jerusalem, and it is generally thought that he wa only a man. The words of the apostle, Heb 7:3, state only, that the sacred history has said nothing of his ancestors. The silence of the Scriptures on this, is to raise our thoughts to Him, whose generatio cannot be declared. Bread and wine were suitable refreshment for the weary followers of Abram; and it is remarkable that Christ appointe the same as the memorials of his body and blood, which are meat an drink indeed to the soul. Melchizedek blessed Abram from God. He blessed God from Abram. We ought to give thanks for other's mercies a for our own. Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, is the Mediator bot of our prayers and praises, and not only offers up ours, but his ow for us. Abram gave him the tenth of the spoils, Heb 7:4. When we have received some great mercy from God, it is very fit we should expres our thankfulness by some special act of pious charity. Jesus Christ our great Melchisedek, is to have homage done him, and to be humbl acknowledged as our King and Priest; not only the tithe of all, but all we have, must be given up to him.
Original Hebrew
ומלכי צדק 4442 מלך 4428 שׁלם 8004 הוציא 3318 לחם 3899 ויין 3196 והוא 1931 כהן 3548 לאל 410 עליון׃ 5945
