14:18 Melchizedek. Lit. “king of righteousness.” The Hebrew word melech means “king,” and zedek means “righteousness.” See Introduction: Characteristics and Themes; Heb. 7:1–3 and notes.

king of Salem . . . priest of God. The introduction of Melchizedek emphasizes that he was a king as well as a priest. As such he is a type of Christ, who is our Prophet, Priest, and King. Salem was apparently an ancient name for Jerusalem (Ps. 76:2).

bread and wine. The combination means a full dinner, a banquet.