Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 7:2

"to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is King of peace;" — Hebrews 7:2 (ASV)

Abraham gave Melchizedek “a tenth of everything,” i. e., of the spoils from the battle (cf. vv.4ff.). So far the author is simply identifying Melchizedek with his reference to the incident after the battle. Now he goes on to the significance of Melchizedek’s name and title: “king of righteousness” and “king of Salem” respectively. The place name “Salem” comes from the same root as shalom (Hebrew for “peace”—GK 8934), and it may accordingly be translated in this way. This word means more than absence of war; it signifies the presence of positive blessing. In the NT “peace” (GK 1645) means the result of Christ’s work for us (cf. Romans 5:1). We are reminded of the promised Messiah as “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6; cf. also “righteousness” in v.7, another distinctive aspect of Christ’s saving work).