Why was Melchizedek called “priest of Most High God” and “possessor of heaven and earth”?
“Most High God” is an English translation of the Hebrew “El Elyon.” “El Elyon” was a common title given to the Canaanite god, “Baal,” and Baal’s father, “El,” the head of the Canaanite pantheon, who were also called “possessor of heaven and earth.” Compare Isaiah 14:13-14 with Daniel 3:26; 4:17, 24-25, 32, 34; 5:18, 21. With the exceptions of Balaam’s use in Numbers 24:16 and Moses’ in Deuteronomy 32:8, “El Elyon” did not become common Hebrew title for God until after David conquered the Canaanite city over 1000 years later (Compare 2 Sam. 5:7 with 2 Sam. 22:14; Ps. 7:17; 18:13; 21:7; 47:2; 83:18; 87:5; 91:1-2, 9; 92:1, 8; 97:9). He was not priest of the “LORD” El Elyon.
