מַלְכִּי־צֶ֫דֶק (mal.ki-tse.deq)
mal.ki-tse.deq
Melchizedek
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name מַלְכִּי־צֶֶדֶק combines two Hebrew words to mean "my king is righteousness." It appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, first in Genesis 14:18 and again in Psalm 110:4. In the narrative, he serves as both the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, welcoming Abram after his victory in battle.
Abram responds by giving him a tenth of everything, establishing a pattern that later biblical writers find significant. The name itself highlights a unique combination of royal authority and sacred service, roles that were typically kept separate in ancient Israelite tradition. This duality gives the figure particular weight when he is referenced as a model for future leadership.
Psalm 110:4 uses this title to describe a king who will serve as a priest forever "in the order of Melchizedek." This phrase has been important in Jewish and Christian interpretation, pointing to a priesthood that does not rely on ancestral lineage but on divine appointment. The brevity of his appearance in Scripture contrasts with the lasting influence of his name.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Melchizedek means 'my king is righteousness,' combining royal authority with sacred service. In Genesis, he appears briefly as both king of Salem and priest of God Most High, receiving a tenth from Abram. This rare pairing of roles highlights a leadership rooted in divine justice rather than mere political power.
Psalm 110 later references him to describe a future priest-king 'in the order of Melchizedek.' Christians have long seen this as pointing to Jesus, who fulfills both offices perfectly. His priesthood does not depend on ancestry but on God’s eternal decree.
This figure reminds us that true authority flows from righteousness and faithfulness to God. Whether reading Genesis or the Psalms, we encounter a model of service that transcends earthly structures, inviting us to trust in a King whose reign is defined by justice and peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- -zedek2×
- and/ Melchi-1×
- Melchi-1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צֶֽדֶק\׃1×
- צֶ֙דֶק֙1×
- מַלְכִּי\־1×
- וּ/מַלְכִּי\־1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 14:18
Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High.
This verse introduces Melchizedek as both king and priest, establishing the unique combination of roles that defines his significance.
-
Psalms 110:4
Yahweh has sworn, and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
Here the phrase 'in the order of Melchizedek' links a future Davidic king to a priesthood based on divine oath rather than lineage.