For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. – Hebrews 7:1-3
Abraham met Melchisidec (or Melchizedek) after successfully waging war upon those who had taken Abraham’s nephew Lot as well as others and their goods. This king of Salem is only briefly described but his signicance is hard to overstate. Described both as king of Salem (peace) and priest of the Most High God, Melchisidec is at minimum a predecessor of Jesus Christ. He could also be a prefigure of the Incarnate Christ demonstrating the eternity of Christ.
Abraham gave tithes to Melchisedec and acknowledged him as a priest of God alone. No one else is described in this way, and there is never again in Scripture anyone called the king of Salem and a priest of the Most High God. So we should be moved when we read Psalm 110:4, “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” This prophecy of the Christ is fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. In Hebrews, the Word shows us how Christ is above any other priesthood. He is the great high priest after the order of Melchisedec. He came into the world without natural means. Before Abraham was Jesus the Son of God lived. His life and reign have no end. He is the Prince (lord) of Peace for all people.
Unto [God] be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. – Ephesians 3:21