NOTES for Gen 14:18
Melchizedek is one of the most enigmatic figures of the Old Testament. In the Book of Genesis he is called "king of Salem" and vice of the deity, whose name sounds in Hebrew, like El Elyon. In the King James Version translation (as, indeed, in many others), this name is quite correctly translated, as the "God Almighty" (the translation "high god" or "lifted god" is also possible). But we have all the same before us a proper noun, which hardly can be in general translated. Besides, the name with which the God of Abraham had never revealed Himself to Abraham. This name is indeed met nowhere else in the Bible, and the God of Israel was never called like that anywhere. Then who is Melchizedek? He is obviously a prophet.
In particular prophet, and not a priest, because the corresponding Hebrew word of priest started to be used only in the time of Moses and Aaron, and before, it was probably used to indicate in particular a prophet, just like its related words in other Semitic languages. There is nothing surprising: the ancient world knew several gods and several prophets. And the fact that Melchizedek is not only a prophet, but also a king, apparently testifies, that until the conquest by David, Jerusalem (Salem is the ancient name of Jerusalem) was a city-sanctuary, which at that time in the Middle East was a lot. And here is this prophet of a certain unknown god to us blesses Abraham. Why?
Perhaps, because Abraham was a winner, worthy of blessing. But another thing is possible: Melchizedek blesses Abraham by revelation. For, God has never limited His circle of relationships only with His own people. The sparks of revelation in the heathen world are scattered everywhere. Unfortunately, in the heathen world they went out often and quickly, went out without having time very often to ignite; Reason for which God needed a special nation, with whom He bound Himself with special relationships.
But sometimes these sparks burst; and it is probably what happened with Melchizedek, when he saw Abraham, the future leader of the people of God. From the point of view of our world, not yet transformed, all this is just a history, an ancient history and having for us today no particular meaning. But for the Kingdom each such glare of the spiritual light is precious. For they all belong to the Kingdom, forming its integral part.