V. 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, Abraham gave to Melchisedec tithes of all, viz., of the spoils of the kings whom he had slain. This is the first time that we read of tithes in the Scripture, and, no doubt, this was the example followed by Jacob when he vowed a vow at Bethel, Genesis 28:22, although it does not appear to whom the portion devoted by him to God was to be given. There is a mystery in the name of Melchisedec. [Names in Scripture were frequently, if not always, given to denote something characteristic concerning them, such as Noah, Genesis 5:29; Isaac, Jacob, &c.; and sometimes their names were changed in token of some favor vouchsafed to them, such as Abraham, Sarah, Israel, Solomon.] Its interpretation is king of righteousness. This is descriptive of the Son of God, Psalms 45:6, Habakkuk 1:8, Luke 19:38, Isaiah 32:1, John 1:49; John 18:37. He was also king of Salem, which is by interpretation king of peace, which completed his resemblance to the Son of God. Psalms 72:1; Psalms 72:3; Psalms 72:7.