A common misinterpretation of Hebrews 7:2 treats Melchizedek merely as a historical Canaanite king with no deeper significance, overlooking the author's intentional typological link to Christ and the theological emphasis on his eternal priesthood; others erroneously identify Melchizedek as a pre-incarnate Christ or an angel based on silence about his genealogy, ignoring the text's distinction that portrays him as a human figure foreshadowing Jesus rather than being Jesus himself, which distorts the argument for Christ's superior priesthood.
Hebrews 7:2
King James Version (1769)
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
Hebrews 7:2 describes Melchizedek's dual titles—King of Righteousness by interpretation of his name and King of Peace as ruler of Salem—portraying him as a priest-king figure superior to Abraham, who tithed to him, and serving as a divinely ordained type of Christ, the eternal high priest who embodies perfect righteousness and establishes true peace through his redemptive work, highlighting the transition from the temporary Levitical priesthood to Christ's unchangeable order.