1644. How great a man Melchizedek, King of Salem - who yet was uncircumcised - was in the eyes of Abraham, is so evident that there is no need to corroborate it except from the story itself, Chapter 14, verses 18, 19, 20. Not only did Abraham hold him in higher veneration than himself, but in him adored God the Messiah, giving him tithes, verse 20. And Melchizedek blessed him, as we read in verses 18, 19, 20, being called "a priest to God most high," verse 18, so that he was then above Abram. Melchizedek, however, was still uncircumcised, for circumcision was instituted later, as appears from the Word itself of God the Messiah; for it is read about after the many acts of Abram recounted in Chapters 15 and 16. After this he begat Ishmael, and when circumcision was given to him as a sign of the covenant, we read that he was a son of ninety and nine years, Chapter 17, verse 1. Besides Melchizedek, just mentioned, Abram's Father Terah was also uncircumcised, and his Brother Nahor, from whom [his descendants] took their wives, so they had children from the uncircumcised. Why, if circumcision had been so necessary - unless this was the case only for the Jacobean people and those who were admitted into their house - would Abram himself have to do with the daughter of an uncircumcised man, as did Isaac also? not to mention many other cases, such as all those from Noah even to Eber, and from him even to Abram, who were all uncircumcised. And yet it was from these that [the Jacobeans] descended. Who would have been left, since one conceived and born of an uncircumcised person is thus condemned? So the matter stands, and [Abraham; Circumcision]