Matthew Poole and continuators on Genesis 14:18

18 And Melchizedek King of Salem brought forth Bread and Wine . And he was the Priest of the most High God .

Quest. Who was this? Answ. 1. Sem, as the Jews and many others think, who probably was alive at this time, and, no doubt, a great Prince. But neither is it probable that Sem should be a King among the cursed race of Ham; nor will this agree with the Apostles description of Melchizedek▪ Heb. 7. 3. Without Father and Mother, &c. Whereas Sems Parents and the beginning and end of his days are as expresly mentioned by Moses as any other. 2, A Canaanitish King by the Divine Providence made both a King over men, and Priest unto the true God, brought in here in this unusual manner, without any mention of his Parents Birth or Death, for this end, that he might be an illustrious Type of Christ. Of this matter see more upon Heb. 7. 3.

(i. e.) Of Ierusalem, called elsewhere Iebus, and Salem, Psal. 76. 2.

Not for Sacrifice to God; for then he had brought forth Beasts to be slain, which were the usual and best Sacrifices: But partly to shew the respect which he bore to Abram, and principally to refresh his weary and hungry Army, according to the manner of those times. See Deut. 23. 3, 4. and 25. 18. Iudg. 8. 5, 6, 15. 1 Sam. 17. 17.

Thus in succeeding Ages the same perso[illegible: 1+ letters]s were often both Kings and Priests, as the learned note out of Virgil and other Authours. And this clause is here added as the cause and reason, not for his bringing forth or offering Bread and Wine, as some would have it, (for that is ascribed to him as a King, as an act of Royal munificence) but of the following benediction and decimation.

For in those times God had his remnant scattered here and there even in the worst Places and Nations.

Marginal references: Heb, 7. 1.