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;
Ver. 2. Gave a tenth part of all] So to set forth his thankfulness to God for the victory. The Lord is the man of war, Exodus 15:3; the Lord and victor of wars, as the Chaldee there expresseth it. Conquerors should send to him, as Joab to David, to take the honour of the day, 2 Samuel 12:28. The very heathens, after a victory, would consecrate something to their gods. The Romans had a custom, when they had received any great victory, the conqueror in his triumphant chariot rode to the Capitol, where in all humility he did present a palm to Jupiter, and offer in sacrifice a white bullock; so acknowledging it was his power whereby the conquest was achieved. a
a ... laurumque superbam in gremio Iovis abscissis deponere Poenis. Et taurum album Iovi mactabant. Livy.