EWTN Catholic Q&A

Melchisedek Blessing and tithing
Question from silvia del rosario on 11-09-2012:

Was he a prophet? and Why is he an important character in the bible.

Answer by Fr. John Echert on 11-20-2012:

Melchizedek is an enigmatic figure who appears in Genesis and is mentioned in Psalm 110. He shares bread and wine with Abram, blesses him, and receives a tithe from the Patriarch. This figure is important in the NT Epistle to the Hebrews as well, which has a theme of Jesus as Highn Priest. Melchizedek foreshadows the eternal priesthood of Christ. Whether he was an angel or human we do not know but we know his role as the pre-figure meant of Jesus as priest and the Mass.

Thanks, Silvia