בראשית, פרק י״ד, פסוק י״ח

A remarkable historical and spiritual encounter takes place as Abraham returns victorious from the battlefield. While the wicked king of Sodom approaches him empty-handed, a mysterious figure of majesty steps forward to greet Abraham with generosity and blessing, symbolizing the future connection between the people of Israel, the city of Jerusalem, and the Temple service. The primary approach among commentators is that the name Malki-Tzedek is not merely a personal name but a unique honorary title meaning "king of the place of justice," much like the title Pharaoh was used in Egypt [רלב״ג, שד״ל, ביאור יש״ר]. A deeply rooted tradition, accepted by most commentators, identifies this king as Shem, the son of Noah, who had survived the Great Flood and continued to spread the belief in one God [רש״י, רמב״ן, רד״ק, ואחרים].

The territory over which he rules, Salem, is identified by the absolute majority of commentators as Jerusalem [אבן עזרא, רמב״ן, רד״ק]. Jerusalem has always been considered the choicest of places, situated at the center of civilization and spiritually aligned with the heavenly Temple. It is a place of such purity that it rejects sinners and justifies its inhabitants [רמב״ן, רד״ק]. Alternatively, some suggest that Salem might be a different city in the region of Beit She'an, or perhaps the name of a broader district that encompassed several cities, including Jerusalem [שד״ל, מחוקקי יהודה].

The king's act of bringing out bread and wine operates on several profound levels. On a practical level, it is a simple and fitting display of hospitality toward exhausted and hungry soldiers returning from war [ספורנו, רד״ק, שד״ל, רש״י]. On a personal level, he sought to show Abraham that he harbored no resentment over the death of Chedorlaomer, the king of Elam, who was killed in the battle and happened to be one of Shem’s own descendants [רש״י, מזרחי, גור אריה]. Furthermore, the presentation of food highlights a stark moral contrast between the righteous king who generously prepared a meal, and the wicked king of Sodom who arrived with nothing [אור החיים]. This meal also serves as practical proof that Abraham kept his promise not to take any spoils from Sodom, as he and his men were sustained entirely by this gifted bread and wine [רשב״ם, חזקוני]. Beyond the immediate context, commentators find a deep prophetic symbolism in the food. The bread and wine are not merely physical sustenance, but a prophetic hint to the meal and wine offerings that Abraham's descendants would one day bring upon the altar in Jerusalem [רש״י, מזרחי, דעת זקנים].

This righteous king is described as a priest to the Most High God, a title that denotes a dedicated servant and worshipper [אבן עזרא, רבנו בחיי, נתינה לגר]. In an era when many nations worshipped angels and various forces of nature as deities, he stood alone in serving God exclusively, recognizing Him as the supreme power above all others [רמב״ן, רד״ק, העמק דבר, שד״ל]. However, this prestigious priesthood was not destined to last in his lineage. Commentators note that the role was originally intended to remain with him and his descendants. Yet, as the meeting progressed, he made a critical error by blessing Abraham before blessing God. Because of this misplaced priority, the priesthood was taken from him and transferred to Abraham and his descendants forever. He himself remained a priest, but his offspring would no longer inherit this sacred duty [תורה תמימה, אור החיים, דעת זקנים].