Hebreus 7:1-2

The writer referred to Melchizedek (lit. righteous king, probably a title rather than a proper name) as the head of a priestly order. It was not uncommon for one individual to combine the roles of priest and king in antiquity. [Note: Morris, pp. 62-63.] Aaron was also the head of a priestly order. The writer explained that Jesus Christ was a member of Melchizedek’s order, not Aaron’s (Hebrews 6:20). Melchizedek was a prototype of Jesus Christ in two respects. He was both a king and a priest, and what characterized him was righteousness and peace (cf. Hebrews 12:10-11; Psalms 85:10; Isaiah 32:17; Romans 5:1; James 3:17-18). The fact that Melchizedek was a priest is clear from two facts: he blessed Abraham, and Abraham paid tithes to him of all the spoils that he had taken in war (Hebrews 7:4; cf. Genesis 14:23-24). According to Moffatt, the Jews under the Mosaic Covenant did not pay tithes from the spoils of war. [Note: Moffatt, p. 91.] This was a pagan custom.

These verses point out four important facts about Melchizedek: (1) he was a king-priest, (2) he was a blesser, (3) he received tithes, and (4) he had a significant name.