Melchizedek was a king of Salem (an old name for Jerusalem) and priest of Yahweh who met with Abraham in Genesis 14. Abraham honored Melchizedek by paying tithes to him (v. 20). 

In the New Testament, the writer of Hebrews raises Melchizedek’s profile to a pre-incarnate Christ-figure.

Pronunciation

mel-khis-ed-ek’

NAME MEANING = “king of righteousness”

The king of Salem (peace) and priest of the most high God, who lived in the days of Abraham

Archaeologist Eli Shukron discovered a 4,000-year-old rock-cut, four-room structure in 2010 within the City of David, Jerusalem, often referred to as “Temple Zero” or Melchizedek’s Temple. Located above the Gihon Spring, it features a central standing stone and dates to the Middle Bronze Age, with evidence of continuous use through the 8th century BCE.

Key Aspects of the Discovery:

The Site: Situated in the City of David, this complex is believed by some, including excavator Eli Shukron, to be the site where Abraham met Melchizedek, King of Salem, as described in Genesis.
Key Features: The structure contains a large standing stone (“Matsevah”) that is 55 cm tall and supported by smaller stones. It is part of an elaborate series of chambers, including an adjacent room.

Dating and Significance: While pottery dates the structure to the Middle Bronze Age, it was used until the 8th century BCE, likely serving as a Canaanite or Jebusite cultic site before its eventual abandonment.

Debate: The identification as Melchizedek’s temple relies on interpretation of its age and location rather than an explicit inscription, making it a subject of ongoing archaeological discussion.

The site, often referred to in connection with early Canaanite worship, predates the First Temple of Solomon.