• Hebrews 7:1
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 7 Οὗτος This γὰρ for ὁ the Μελχισεδέκ, Melchizedek, Βασιλεὺς King Σαλήμ, of Salem, ἱερεὺς priest τοῦ of the θεοῦ God τοῦ of the ὑψίστου, most high, ὁ the (one) συναντήσας having met ᾿Αβραὰμ to Abraham ὑποστρέφοντι returning ἀπὸ from τῆς the κοπῆς cutting τῶν of the βασιλέων kings καὶ and εὐλογήσας having blessed αὐτόν, him,

  • Hebrews 7:1
    King James Version

    • 7 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;

  • Hebrews Study Notes—Chapter 7
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 7:1

      Melchizedek: In the Hebrew Scriptures, Melchizedek is first mentioned at Ge 14:17, 18, which describes his meeting with Abraham (Abram). About 900 years after that event, David foretold that the Messiah would be “a priest forever in the manner of Melchizedek.” (Ps 110:1-4) Jesus quoted from that psalm on Nisan 11, 33 C.E. (Mt 22:42-45; Mr 12:35-37; Lu 20:41-44) A few weeks later, at Pentecost 33 C.E., Peter confirmed that David’s prophecy had been fulfilled. (Ac 2:33-36) In the Christian Greek Scriptures, only in the book of Hebrews is Melchizedek mentioned by name. (Heb 5:6 and study note) In Hebrew, the name Melchizedek means “King of Righteousness.”​—Heb 7:2.

      king of Salem: According to Ge 14:18, “Salem” is the city where Melchizedek served as king and priest. Ancient Jewish tradition identifies Salem with Jerusalem, and the Hebrew spelling of “Salem” is incorporated in the name Jerusalem. The Hebrew Scriptures too suggest that Salem refers to Jerusalem. For example, Abraham met Melchizedek at “the Valley of the King,” which apparently lay close to Jerusalem. (Ge 14:16, 17; 2Sa 18:18) At Ps 76:2, the psalmist used “Salem” in parallel with “Zion.” So it appears that Melchizedek served as king and priest in the very place where the kings of the Davidic line and the Levitical priests served much later. That is also where Jesus Christ, the one chosen to be a king and a priest “in the manner of Melchizedek,” offered his life in sacrifice.​—Heb 3:1; 7:1-3, 15-17; 10:12.

      priest of the Most High God: In the Scriptures, Melchizedek is the first person to whom the term “priest” is applied. (Ge 14:18) He worshipped, not a pagan god, but the God whom Abraham worshipped. Both men referred to Jehovah as “the Most High God” and as “Maker of heaven and earth.” (Ge 14:18-20, 22) Jehovah himself was the one who appointed Melchizedek to serve as a priest.​—Ps 110:4; Heb 7:17.