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;
Gave, х emerisen (G3307)] - 'apportioned.'
Tenth part of all - namely, the booty. The tithes are closely associated with the priesthood: the mediating priest received them as a pledge of the giver's whole property being God's: as he conveyed God's gifts to man (Hebrews 7:1, "blessed him"), so also man's gifts to God. Melchisedek is a sample how God preserves, amidst apostasy, an elect remnant. The meeting of Melchisedek and Abraham is the link between the two dispensations, the patriarchal (represented by Melchisedek, who was specially consecrated by God as KING-PRIEST, the highest form of that primitive system in which each father of a household was its priest) and the Levitical (represented by Abraham, in which the priesthood was limited to one family of one tribe and one nation). The Levitical was parenthetical, severing the kingdom and priesthood; the patriarchal was the forerunner of Christ's, which, like Melchisedek's, unites the kingship and priesthood, and is not derived from, or transmitted to, other men; but derived from God, and transmitted to a never-ending perpetuity in Christ. For other points of superiority, see Hebrews 7:16-21. Melchisedek must have had some special consecration above the other patriarchs, as Abraham, who also exercised the priesthood; else Abraham would not have paid tithe to him as superior: his special function was, by God's special call, KING-priest; whereas no other patriarch-priest was also a God-consecrated king.
First being. The very name suggests a mystical sense (Isaiah 32:17).
Righteousness - not merely righteous: so Christ (Jeremiah 23:6). Mal`akiy (H4401) means king; Tsedeq (H6664), righteousness.
King of Salem. Even the city he ruled had a typical significance-namely, peace. Christ is the true Prince of peace. The peace which He brings is the fruit of righteousness (Isaiah 32:17).