And Melchizedek king of Salem {h} brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

(h) For Abram and his soldiers refreshment, not to offer sacrifice.

Wesley's Notes

14:18 The Rabbins say, that Melchizedek was Shem the son of Noah, who was king and priest to those that descended from him, according to the patriarchal model. Many Christian writers have thought that this was an appearance of the Son of God himself, our Lord Jesus, known to Abram at this time by this name. But as nothing is expressly revealed concerning it, we can determine nothing. He brought forth bread and wine - For the refreshment of Abram and his soldiers, and in congratulation of their victory. This he did as a king. As priest of the most high God he blessed Abram, which we may suppose a greater refreshment to Abram than his bread and wine were.

Scofield Reference Notes

[1] Melchizedek

Melchizedek, type of Christ the King-Priest. The type strictly applies to the priestly work of Christ in resurrection, since Melchizedek presents only the memorials of sacrifice, bread and wine. "After the order of Melchizedek" Heb 6:20 refers to the royal authority and unending duration of Christ's high priesthood Heb 7:23,24. The Aaronic priesthood was often interrupted by death. Christ is a priest after the order of Melchizedek, as King of righteousness, King of peace Isa 11:4-9 Heb 7:2 and in the endlessness of his priesthood; but the Aaronic priesthood typifies His priestly work.

[2] most high God

"Most high," or "most high God" (Heb. El Elyon). "Elyon means simply "highest."

(1) The first revelation of this name (Gen 14:8) indicates its distinctive meanings. Abram, returning from his victory over the confederated kings Gen 14:1-17 is met by Melchizedek, King of Salem. . . the "priest of the most high God" (El Elyon), who blesses Abram in the name of El Elyon, "possessor of heaven and earth." This revelation produced a remarkable impression upon the patriarch. Not only did he at once give Melchizedek "tithes of all" the spoil of the battle, but when the King of Sodom offered other of that spoil to Abram, his answer was; "I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord [Jehovah], the most high God [El-Elyon], the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet," etc. Gen 14:18-23.

(a) The Lord (Jehovah) is know to a Gentile king (Melchizedek) by the name "most high god" [El Elyon);

(b) a Gentile is the priest of El Elyon and

(c) His distinctive character as most high God is "possessor of heaven and earth."

Appropriately to this Gentile knowledge of God by His name "Most High," we read that "the Most High divided to the nations [i.e. Gentiles] their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam," etc. Dt 32:8. As "possessor heaven and earth," it was the prerogative of the Most High to distribute the earth among the nations according to whatever principle He chose. That principle is declared Dt 32.8. To the same purport is the use of the name in Daniel, the book of Gentile prophecy Dan 3:26 4:17,24,25,32,34,35 5:18,21.

(2) As "possessor of heaven and earth," the most high God has and exercises authority in both spheres:

(a) the heavenly authority of El Elyon (e.g. Dan 4:35,37 Isa 14:13,14 Mt 28:18

(b) the earthly authority of El Elyon (e.g). Dt 32:8 Ps 9:2-5 21:7 47:2-4 56:2,3 82:6,8 83:16-18 91:9-12 2Sam 22:14,15 Dan 5:18

See, for other names of Deity:

See Scofield Note: "Gen 1:1"

See Scofield Note: "Gen 2:4"

See Scofield Note: "Gen 2:7"

See Scofield Note: "Gen 15:2"

See Scofield Note: "Gen 17:1"

See Scofield Note: "Gen 21:33"

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

18. Melchizedek-This victory conferred a public benefit on that part of the country; and Abram, on his return, was treated with high respect and consideration, particularly by the king of Sodom and Melchizedek, who seems to have been one of the few native princes, if not the only one, who knew and worshipped, "the most high God," whom Abram served. This king who was a type of the Saviour (Heb 7:1), came to bless God for the victory which had been won, and in the name of God to bless Abram, by whose arms it had been achieved-a pious acknowledgment which we should imitate on succeeding in any lawful enterprise.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

14:17-20 Melchizedek is spoken of as a king of Salem, supposed to be the place afterwards called Jerusalem, and it is generally thought that he was only a man. The words of the apostle, Heb 7:3, state only, that the sacred history has said nothing of his ancestors. The silence of the Scriptures on this, is to raise our thoughts to Him, whose generation cannot be declared. Bread and wine were suitable refreshment for the weary followers of Abram; and it is remarkable that Christ appointed the same as the memorials of his body and blood, which are meat and drink indeed to the soul. Melchizedek blessed Abram from God. He blessed God from Abram. We ought to give thanks for other's mercies as for our own. Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, is the Mediator both of our prayers and praises, and not only offers up ours, but his own for us. Abram gave him the tenth of the spoils, Heb 7:4. When we have received some great mercy from God, it is very fit we should express our thankfulness by some special act of pious charity. Jesus Christ, our great Melchisedek, is to have homage done him, and to be humbly acknowledged as our King and Priest; not only the tithe of all, but all we have, must be given up to him.