King James Version

What Does Genesis 14:18 Mean?

Genesis 14:18 in the King James Version says “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.”

Genesis 14:18 · KJV

Context

16

And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

17

And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.

18

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

19

And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

20

And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

Read Genesis 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high G... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וּמַלְכִּי1 of 11
H0
צֶ֙דֶק֙2 of 11

“And Melchizedek”

H4442

melchisedek (also melchisedec or malki-tsedek)

מֶ֣לֶךְ3 of 11

“king”

H4428

a king

שָׁלֵ֔ם4 of 11

“of Salem”

H8004

shalem, an early name of jerusalem

הוֹצִ֖יא5 of 11

“brought forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

לֶ֣חֶם6 of 11

“bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

וָיָ֑יִן7 of 11

“and wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

וְה֥וּא8 of 11
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

כֹהֵ֖ן9 of 11

“and he was the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

לְאֵ֥ל10 of 11

“God”

H410

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

עֶלְיֽוֹן׃11 of 11

“of the most high”

H5945

an elevation, i.e., (adjectively) lofty (comparatively); as title, the supreme

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 14:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 14:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 6:20-7:3Psalms 110:4Hebrews 5:6Hebrews 5:10Psalms 76:2Psalms 57:2

Places in This Verse

SalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E4 verses across 3 books
View all places in Genesis 14 →

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