A leading reason which probably influenced Abraham to settle at Hebron was its vicinity to Salem and to the public worship of the true God there. For the religion of Abraham and Melchizedek were evidently the same. They both used the same descriptions for the Deity. In fact, Shem was probably Melchizedek. Chazalic literature unanimously identify Melchizedek as Shem son of Noah (Targum Yonathan to Genesis chap. 14, Genesis Rabbah 46:7, Babylonian Talmud to Tractate Nedarim 32b). The Talmud Bavli attributes him (Shem and his beth din court of justice) as pioneers in banning prostitution (Avodah Zarah p. 36a). According to Genesis 10:11, Shem lived 500 years after he became the father of Arpachshad. This statement indicates that Shem died after the 500 years, therefore he died 502 years after the flood at the age of 600.  Furthermore, we find that Abraham was born 392 years after Shem. Since Abraham only lived 175 years, Shem outlived Abraham by another 32 years. Therefore, Shem must have been the Melchizedek of Abraham’s day, since he was the oldest living patriarch in the line of the seed promise when Abraham was alive. Finally, there were 892 years between Noah’s birth and Abram’s birth. Since Noah lived 950 years, we know he died shortly before Abraham left Ur to go to Canaan (when Abram was 58). Once Noah died, Shem inherited the title of Melchizedek. Remember that God dwells only in the tents of Shem -- not Canaanite Ham or oriental Japheth. Book of Jasher 16:11-12 says, “And Adonizedek king of Jerusalem, the same was Shem, went out with his men to meet Abram and his people, with bread and wine, and they remained together in the valley of Melech. And Adonizedek blessed Abram, and Abram gave him a tenth from all that he had brought from the spoil of his enemies, for Adonizedek was a priest before God.”

Melchizedek (Shem) resembled -- was "like unto" (Heb. 7:3) -- Christ in the following particulars:

1. In his title Melchizedek or "King of Righteousness" (Rev. 19:11,16; Isa. 32:1) because righteousness lodged in her (Isa. 1:21) .
2. In his city Salem or "Peace" (Isa. 9:6; 32:17-18; Ps. 76:2).
3. In his offices of king and priest of the Most High God (1 Tim. 2:5) since God only dwells in the tents of Shem.
4. In his use of the symbols of bread and wine for refreshing and blessing his followers, just as Jesus' followers are blessed by Passover bread and wine.
5. In receiving tithes and offerings (Gen. 14:20; Heb. 7:4)
6. In the omission of the names of his parents and geneology, the time of his birth, and length of his life there is no Scriptural record since he did not
inherit through geneology his priesthood or kingship, but had been appointed priest and king by God. Hebrews 7:3 says, "Without father, without mother,
without descent ("without ancestors"),  having neither beginning of days, nor end of life" ("without a geneology") (found in Scripture). "Thou art priest forever
after the order of Melchizedek" (Ps. 110:4: Micah 5:2). Thus the Chinese say that Fohi their first king had no father. And Seneca speaking of two of the
ancient kings of Rome says, that Servius had no mother and Ancus no father; which he afterwards explains by saying, that it was not known who was the
father of Ancus (Seneca Epistle 8). In the same context, see Horace Serm.1 Sat. 6.