Knowing The Word in Genesis 14:17-24, Abram Blessed by Melchizedek

[The final scene in Genesis 14 is structured chiastically:

v 17 King of Sodom comes A

v 18 Melchizedek King of Salem brings bread and wine B

vv 19-20 Melchizedek speaks B’

v 21 King of Sodom speaks A’

vv 22-24 Abram replies]

17 After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him [Abram] at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). 18 And Melchizedek [meaning “my king is righteous (legitimate)”] king of Salem [meaning “peace” and thought to be associated with Jerusalem] brought out bread and wine [royal fare (1 Sam 16:20) and regularly accompanied animal sacrifice (Num 15:2-10)]. (He was priest of God Most High.) [Melchizedek is the first priest named in Scripture and combines the offices of priest and king. He is portrayed as laying on a royal banquet for Abram the returning conqueror. Does his meal prefigure the Eucharist?] 19 And he blessed him [this is the first fulfilment of the promise that men will bless Abram] and said,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” [He recognizes God’s hand in the victory.]

And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. [Tithing was an old and widespread custom. In response to the blessing, he responds in fashion, giving a tenth of the spoils to Melchizedek.] 21 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” [One would think that the king of Sodom would be more grateful than Melchizedek. Instead he demands that he share in Abram’s spoils as well without giving him a word of thanks or recognition to Abram, much less God, suggesting his eventual demise.] 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.” [As we saw with Lot, Abram is exceedingly generous.]

[Who exactly is Melchizedek? He shows up only here in Genesis and then is referenced in Psalm 110. Jesus references Psalm 110 in Matthew 22:41-45 and Hebrews 5-7 makes Melchizedek a type or forerunner of the Messiah. Within Genesis, however, Melchizedek is primarily an example of a non-Jew who recognizes God’s hand at work in Israel.]