Who was Melchizedek?

Melchizedek appears in Genesis 14:18–20 as King of Salem (associated with Jerusalem) and Priest of God Most High. He blesses Abraham, and Abraham gives him the tithe—a sign of spiritual superiority.

Later, the Old Testament makes him prophetic: Psalm 110:4 announces a priesthood "according to the order of Melchizedek."

And Hebrews uses him to explain Christ: Hebrews 5–7 teaches that Jesus is the eternal High Priest, superior to the Levitical priesthood.

There are two common Christian positions: 1. Type (figure) of Christ: he was a real human, and God uses him as a model to explain Christ. 2. Christophany: a pre-incarnate appearance of the Son.

Safe conclusion: whoever he was, he points directly to Jesus: King of righteousness and peace, eternal priest (Hebrews 7).