When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen of them, and
went in pursuit as far as Dan. And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and routed them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. Then he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his goods, and the women and the people. After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abraham by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!
Genesis 14:14-20
After Abraham rescues his nephew Lot and is victorious in a battle with kings from the east, Melchizedek – the King of Salem (Jerusalem) and Priest of the God Most High – comes upon the battlefield bringing with him bread and wine. In return, Abraham shows his respect by pledging to give Melchizedek one tenth of all his spoils. Though little else is known of Melchizedel he has come to symbolize the ideal priest-king.
Therefore, he has come to prefigure Christ Himself – the true High Priest and King.
“Thou are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” (Psalms 110:4).
Melchizedek is also shown in priestly robes much like Aaron, and he holds in his hand a bowl containing a bread offering.
