
Cylinder Seal of the Priest-King
AO 6620
Room 1a showcase 2 (8)
The figure represented here with a beard, wearing a long skirt and offering
a wheat sheaf, is traditionally considered to be a ‘priest-king’.
The first mention of the word 'priest' in the Bible concerns the King of Salem, Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18). He was the only human ruler approved by God to exercise the dual role of king and priest. The Law of Moses was to later establish the principle of separating the Church and the State, the king not being authorised to exercise the duties of a priest. - 2 Chronicles 26:16-18
The Meeting of Abraham
and Melchizedek
M.I. 963
Peter Paul Rubens
A sketch on one of the ceilings of
the Jesuit church in Antwerp,
painted in 1620/1621 and
destroyed in a fire in 1718.


The Meeting of Abraham
and Melchizedek
inv 238
Giovanni Castiglione
Denon 1st floor Salvator Rosa
Room 13
“Jesus, who has become a high priest according to the manner of Mel·chiz´e·dek forever.”
- Hebrews 6:20; 5:1.
“The coming of the Kingdom
of God on Earth may be considered
the core message of Jesus.”