"Melchizedek"
Antique Holy Card - Anonymous Artist

Melchizedek is a remarkably significant figure in the Bible, especially considering that he is only mentioned briefly. In Genesis 14, as quoted on the front of this vintage holy card, it says, "Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine. He was a priest of God Most High."

Salem is Jerusalem, the city of David. And David, King of Israel, dances in front of the Ark of the Covenant in priestly garb, and offers sacrifices as a priest. In Psalm 110, David writes, referring to himself, "You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek," words which are repeated in Hebrews 7 concerning Jesus. (NABRE, www.usccb.org)

Melchizedek is both priest and king, as is David, as is Jesus, the High Priest forever and the King of Kings. Melchizedek's name in Hebrew means "King of Righteousness," which is an awfully high title. What could be higher? Additionally, for what it's worth, Melchizedek is mentioned in the Dead Sea Scrolls (11Q13) as Elohim, a name usually reserved for God. (www.hebrew-streams.org)

Melchizedek prefigures Christ and the Priesthood in deep ways. He even offers Bread and Wine, as Christ did at the Last Supper, as our priests still do today! It's hard to ponder his exact nature, but in the perpetually astounding intricacies of Biblical prophecy, Melchizedek is woven together with Abraham, David, and Jesus, as well as prefiguring the divine aspect of the priesthood.

We'd been looking for a long time for a picture of Melchizedek to offer you when we came across this beautiful image. The colors are joyful, as sacrifice to the Lord should be! The narrative is clear without being ponderous. That's Abraham bending the knee before the offering.

This card was made by The Society of St. Augustine, a company which published Catholic books and holy cards in the 19th and early 20th Centuries. They operated out of Bruges, Belgium, and Paris, France. We have several of their works in our collection.

** IMPORTANT ** IMAGE IS SMALLER THAN THE PAPER!! There is a white border around the image! .5" for 5x7, 1.3" for 8.5x11, 1.6" for 11x14". This is the normal way fine art printers do their prints, and it gives the print a finished look when framed without a matt.

- Acid-free fine art paper.
- Archival pigments, rated to last for generations.
- Cardboard backer
- Above story of the art
- Enclosed in a tight-fitting, crystal clear bag.

Thanks for your interest!

Thanks!
Sue & John

You might also enjoy original Catholic Art and Jewelry by me, Sue Kouma Johnson, here on Etsy at www.Etsy.com/shop/TreeOfHeaven
Also, check out our Catholic Quote shop, where we are pairing authentic quotes from Saints with Art: www.Etsy.com/shop/CatholicQuote

"In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art." ~ St. Pope John Paul II

Original image is out-of-copyright. Descriptive text and image alterations (hence the whole new image) © by Sue Kouma Johnson - Classic Catholic Art.