Who was Melchizedek?

(Picture found here of Melchizedek blessing Abraham)

This has been a really fun assignment for me. I remember hearing about Melchizedek and who he was in Sunday school and seminary lessons here and there, but none of the information stuck with me. This assignment gave me a chance to dig a little deeper on my own and find out a lot of cool things about Melchizedek.

We know from Genesis 14 that Melchizedek is the king of Salem and a "priest of the most high God" (verse 18). We also know that he blessed Abraham and that Abraham paid tithes of all his possessions to Melchizedek. This tells us that he is a righteous man and a man of authority but, as I found out, this account does not do him justice.

As I studied other scriptures and resources, I found out a lot of interesting things about Melchizedek. He actually was called by a few different titles; Prince of Peace, King of Peace, and King of Heaven (Joseph Smith Translation Genesis 14: 25-40). These titles come from the fact that Melchizedek was able to establish peace in Salem after a time of great iniquity (Alma 13: 14-19). And along with holding the priesthood, he had a job much like the bishops of LDS wards do today. He ran a storehouse and collected tithes and offerings from people to distribute to the poor and needy (JST Genesis 14: 37-38). This is one of the main responsibilities those who are serving as bishop have today. It's so fun to see the similarities from the Old Testament to today!

The most fun part of reading up on Melchizedek was learning just how great of a man he was. JST Genesis 14:26 reads, "Now Melchizedek was a man of faith, who wrought righteousness; and when a child he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire." Wow! Even as a child he was very mighty! And in Alma, chapter 13 verse 19, it reads, "Now, there were many before him, and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater." He was so great of a priest that the scriptures even say that there was no one greater than him. And he was so great that the greater priesthood of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was named after him.

What an incredible man Melchizedek was. And what an example he is to me. I am very grateful for the chance I have had to find out more about him.

If you, too, would like to find out more about him (for example, about the Jewish belief that Shem, the son of Noah, and Melchizedek are the same man), check out the LDS Old Testament Institute Manuel here.

Have a great weekend!