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Heb_7:1-3. Elucidation of κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδὲκ ἀρχιερεὺς γενόμενος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα , Heb_6:20, by a delineation of the character of Melchisedec. Heb_7:1-3 form a single proposition, in which μένει , is the tempus finitum. The characterization of Melchisedec combines in the first half ( βασιλεὺς Σαλὴμ … ἐμέρισεν Ἀβραάμ , Heb_7:2) the historic traits which are afforded of him in Genesis (Gen_14:18-20), while in the second half ( πρῶτον μὲν κ . τ . λ .) the author himself completes the picture of Melchisedec, in reasoning from that historic delineation.
βασιλεὺς Σαλήμ ] king of Salem. By Salem is understood, on the part of the Targumists, Josephus, Antiq. i. 10. 2, the majority of the Church Fathers, Grotius, Drusius, Owen, Michaelis, Gesenius, von Bohlen, Winer, Realwörterb. II. 2 Aufl. p. 95, Stuart, Stengel, Tholuck, Bloomfield, Knobel, Bisping, Delitzsch, Auberlen, Moll, Kurtz, Hofmann, and others, Jerusalem. On the other hand, Primasius, Zeger, Jac. Cappellus, Whitby, Cellarius, Reland, Rosenmüller, Bleek (see, however, at Heb_7:2), Tuch, Ewald, Alford, Maier, and others think of the place Σαλείμ , mentioned Joh_3:23, situated eight Roman miles south of Scythopolis. The latter was, as we learn from Jerome (Ep. 126, ad Evagrium), the view already espoused in his day by the “eruditissimi” among the Hebrews, in opposition to “Josephus et nostri omnes,” as accordingly also it was thought that the ruins of the palace of Melchisedec were still to be shown at the last-named place in the time of Jerome. This Σαλείμ , mentioned Joh_3:23, has, moreover, been held by some recent expositors, as Bleek and Alford, to be likewise identical with the Σαλήμ , Jdt_4:4. More correct, however, is the first-named view. For, besides the earlier name Jebus for Jerusalem (Jdg_19:10, al.), occurs also the early name Salem (Psa_76:3 [2]), and the narrative in Gen_14:17 ff.) points unmistakeably to the southern part of the land. Comp. specially Knobel, Genesis , 2 Aufl., Leipz. 1860, p. 149 f.
ἱερεὺς τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ὑψίστου ] priest of God, the Most High. In the monotheistic sense, as in Genesis, vid. ibid. Heb_7:22.
ὁ συναντήσας Ἀβραὰμ κ . τ . λ .] who went to meet Abraham when he was returning from the smiting of the kings (Gen_14:12 ff.), and blessed him.
καὶ εὐλογήσας αὐτόν ] Gen_14:19-20. Wrongly is it alleged by Heinrichs that εὐλογεῖν denotes only: gratulari de victoria tam splendida.