The Hebrew name Malki-Tsedeq (Melchizedek) is a compound of melek (H4428, king) and tsedeq (H6664, righteousness), meaning "my king is righteousness" or "king of righteousness." He appears in Genesis 14:18 as king of Salem (Jerusalem) and priest of God Most High, and again in Psalm 110:4 as the prototype of an eternal priestly order.
Melchizedek is one of the most theologically significant figures in Scripture despite appearing in only two Old Testament passages. He uniquely combines kingship and priesthood — two offices that were strictly separated in Israel. Abraham paid tithes to him and received his blessing, establishing Melchizedek's superiority even over the father of the faith. Psalm 110:4 prophetically declares the Messiah to be a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. The book of Hebrews (chapters 5-7) develops this extensively, showing that Christ's priesthood surpasses the Levitical order precisely because it follows the pattern of Melchizedek — eternal, royal, and based on righteousness rather than genealogy.