Post by Tamrin on Feb 14, 2009 11:26:44 GMT 10
Melchizedek is an enigmatic figure twice mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament. Melchizedek seems to be the King of Salem, and priest of the Most High, in the time of the biblical patriarch Abram. He brought out bread and wine, blessed Abram, and received tithes from him (Gen. xiv. 18-20). Reference is made to him in Psalm 110:4 where the victorious ruler is declared to be "priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."
Etymology
The name Melchizedek has it's root in two Hebrew words, "melek" - meaning "King" (strongs ref:4428) and "tzedek" (see tzadik) - meaning "righteous(ness)" (strongs ref:6666). Literally then, "The King of Righteousness" or "The Righteous King". In Genesis, Melchizedek is also referred to as king of Salem, (traditionally identified with Jerusalem),[1] and priest of El Elyon. El-Elyon can be translated as most high god, understood as a reference to the sole God of the Old Testament.
The name Melchizedek has it's root in two Hebrew words, "melek" - meaning "King" (strongs ref:4428) and "tzedek" (see tzadik) - meaning "righteous(ness)" (strongs ref:6666). Literally then, "The King of Righteousness" or "The Righteous King". In Genesis, Melchizedek is also referred to as king of Salem, (traditionally identified with Jerusalem),[1] and priest of El Elyon. El-Elyon can be translated as most high god, understood as a reference to the sole God of the Old Testament.
Confusion over Melchizedek's lineage
See also: List of people who have claimed to be immortal
Hebrews 7:3 creates some confusion between denominations regarding Melchizedek's nature and background. This is how it stands in the KJV, describing Melchizedek as:
"Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually."
Different denominations interpret this in vastly different ways. Some say that Melchizedek is literally like the Son of God (or even is the Son of God) in that he has no father or mother. Others say that he has been adopted into Christ's lineage through the Lord's suffering, still others claim that the verse has been mistranslated, and that the Priesthood Melchizedek held is what is without lineage, not Melchizedek. Others claim that the verse merely represents Melchizedek's not being a priesthood holder because of lineage (i.e. "without descent" meaning not a descendant of Levi as required by Mosaic Law.)
The Book of the Bee, a Syriac text, also offers insights contrary to Melchizedek's purported immortal nature:
"NEITHER the fathers nor mother of this Melchizedek were written down in the genealogies; not that he had no natural parents, but that they were not written down. The greater number of the doctors say that he was of the seed of Canaan, whom Noah cursed. In the book of Chronography, however, (the author) affirms and says that he was of the seed of Shem the son of Noah. Shem begat Arphaxar, Arphaxar begat Cainan, and Cainan begat Shâlâh and Mâlâh, Shâlâh was written down in the genealogies; but Mâlâh was not, because his affairs were not sufficiently important to be written down in the genealogies. When Noah died, he commanded Shem concerning the bones of Adam, for they were with them in the ark, and were removed from the land of Eden to this earth. Then Shem entered the ark, and sealed it with his father's seal, and said to his brethren, 'My father commanded me to go and see the sources of the rivers and the seas and the structure of the earth, and to return.' And he said to Mâlâh the father of Melchizedek, and to Yôzâdâk his mother...."
See also: List of people who have claimed to be immortal
Hebrews 7:3 creates some confusion between denominations regarding Melchizedek's nature and background. This is how it stands in the KJV, describing Melchizedek as:
"Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually."
Different denominations interpret this in vastly different ways. Some say that Melchizedek is literally like the Son of God (or even is the Son of God) in that he has no father or mother. Others say that he has been adopted into Christ's lineage through the Lord's suffering, still others claim that the verse has been mistranslated, and that the Priesthood Melchizedek held is what is without lineage, not Melchizedek. Others claim that the verse merely represents Melchizedek's not being a priesthood holder because of lineage (i.e. "without descent" meaning not a descendant of Levi as required by Mosaic Law.)
The Book of the Bee, a Syriac text, also offers insights contrary to Melchizedek's purported immortal nature:
"NEITHER the fathers nor mother of this Melchizedek were written down in the genealogies; not that he had no natural parents, but that they were not written down. The greater number of the doctors say that he was of the seed of Canaan, whom Noah cursed. In the book of Chronography, however, (the author) affirms and says that he was of the seed of Shem the son of Noah. Shem begat Arphaxar, Arphaxar begat Cainan, and Cainan begat Shâlâh and Mâlâh, Shâlâh was written down in the genealogies; but Mâlâh was not, because his affairs were not sufficiently important to be written down in the genealogies. When Noah died, he commanded Shem concerning the bones of Adam, for they were with them in the ark, and were removed from the land of Eden to this earth. Then Shem entered the ark, and sealed it with his father's seal, and said to his brethren, 'My father commanded me to go and see the sources of the rivers and the seas and the structure of the earth, and to return.' And he said to Mâlâh the father of Melchizedek, and to Yôzâdâk his mother...."