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Daily Devotions

Hebrews

Hebrews 
Day 
Day 175

"King of righteousness... King of peace..."

Text: Hebrews 7:2

THE SYMBOLIC MEANING OF NAMES

Significance was often attached to names in Old Testament times. The name “Melchizedek” had deep symbolic meaning, as the text below shows.

“To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all,
first being translated ‘king of righteousness,’
and then also king of Salem, meaning, ‘king of peace.'”
Hebrews 7:2

The author of Hebrews wanted his readers to appreciate the full symbolic meaning of Melchizedek.

1. Melchizedek

a) This word is made up of two parts:-
i) The first part is derived from the word “king” (Hebrew “melek”).
ii) The second part is derived from the word “righteousness” (Hebrew “tsadik”).
b) Thus the name means “king of righteousness”.

2. The title of Melchizedek

a) He was the “king of Salem”.
b) The word “Salem” is derived from the word “peace” (Hebrew “shalom”).
c) Hence Melchizedek’s title means “king of peace”.

AN AWESOME TRIO OF TITLES

Two awesome titles were attached to Melchizedek. If these two titles are added to the third fact, then we have an awesome trio.

1. He was “king of righteousness”.

2. He was also “king of peace”.

3. Priest of the Most High God.

The author of Hebrews had a very important point to make! In theological language, the author was saying that Melchizedek was “a type” (of the greater “Antitype”- Jesus)!