Melchizedek as a figure in the Bible is mentioned only a few times (e.g., Genesis 14: 17-24; Hebrews 5, 6 and 7), but a very important verse in Psalms using the name of Melchizedek gives this allusion to Christ and his priesthood:
Psalms 110:4
4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
There is an eternal priesthood connected to Melchizedek, but the Bible only teases us with hints. Is there more to be had?
Ancient sources on Melchizdek from the Dead Sea Scrolls (containing both Biblical and non-Biblical texts) and the Nag Hammadi papers do NOT always have the authority or accuracy of canonized scripture, and yet it would be a very large mistake to ignore them. They often provide tidbits of convergent validity to both the Bible and Book of Mormon. The tiny evidences of support tend to add up, establishing important correlations in ancient theologies. Here is just one example:
Concerning the last days, 3 Nephi 20:40 from the Book of Mormon reads:
40 And then shall they say: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings unto them, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings unto them of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion: Thy God Reigneth!
This verse is a citation of Isaiah 52:7, which is further quoted in the Dead Sea Scrolls in fragment 11QMelch, also known as 11Q13, which is about the coming judgment of Melchizedek, who will make a great atonement. This famous ancient fragment explains the Isaiah verse with this interpretation (A New Translation: The Dead Sea Scrolls by M. Wise, M. Abegg, and E. Cook, 2005, p. 592), “The mountains are the prophets, they who were sent to proclaim God's truth and to prophesy to all Israel.” (See also: Jin Yang Kim's excellent analysis in his essay: Melchizedek in 11Q13, which provides a translation of the fragment).
This ancient text makes clear the exalted roles of prophets and Melchizedek. The LDS Church proclaims fulfillment of the words found in 3 Ne. 20:40 and Isaiah 52:7.
In both the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi papers, Melchizedek is represented as an agent of eternal priesthood linked with God's deliverance. For example,
From "Melchizedek" in: James M. Robinson, ed., The Nag Hammadi Library, revised edition. HarperCollins, San Francisco, 1990. Translated by Søren Giversen and Birger A. Pearson
"For I have a name: I am Melchizedek, the Priest of God Most High; I know that it is I who am truly the image of the true High-Priest of God Most High… ."
11Q13 (A New Translation: The Dead Sea Scrolls by M. Wise, M. Abegg, and E. Cook, 2005, p. 592-593) describes Melchizedek as a type of Messiah:
Melchizedek will thoroughly prosecute the vengeance required by God's statutes. …
And "the messenger" is the Anointed of the Spirit, of whom Daniel spoke, "After sixty-two weeks, an Anointed One shall be cut off" [Dan. 9:26]. The "messenger who brings good news, who announces salvation" is the one of whom it is written, "to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor; the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn" [Isa. 61:2].
The Book of Mormon also recognizes the spiritual status of Melchizedek. For example:
Alma 13:14
14 Yea, humble yourselves even as the people in the days of Melchizedek, who was also a high priest after this same order which I have spoken, who also took upon him the high priesthood forever.
In the Book of Mormon, the book of Mosiah uses the phrase "type and shadows" (see 3:15; 13:10, 31; 16:14; see also, Colosians 2:17 and Hebrews 10:1). One verse in Mosiah reads:
Mosiah 3:15
15 And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows showed he [the Lord God] unto them, concerning his coming … .
Clearly, Melchizedek is a type and a shadow of the Messiah.
Somehow, Joseph Smith in the early 1830s understood this connection. A Melchizedek priesthood was reestablished that contained duties and authorities that went well beyond the lower priesthood, called Aaronic and Levitical. This Melchizedek priesthood was defined in the following manner:
Doctrine & Covenants 107: 1-5
1 THERE are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood.
2 Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest.
3 Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.
4 But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood.
5 All other authorities or offices in the church are appendages to this priesthood.
For additional connections of this priesthood to the Son of God, see D&C 76:57 and 124:123.
Latter-day Saints are not the only ones who understand the intimate connection between Christ and the Melchizedek priesthood. Of course, the connection is rather spelled out in Hebrews:
New Century Version: Hebrews 6: 19-20
19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and strong. It enters behind the curtain in the Most Holy Place in heaven, 20 where Jesus has gone ahead of us and for us. He has become the high priest forever, a priest like Melchizedek.
Margaret Barker (the non-LDS theologian of Newtonian proportions) in her recent book Temple Themes in Christian Worship (London: T&T Clark International, 2007) states, p. 98:
The [earliest] Christians worshipped the LORD, the God of Israel. They knew … the ways of the original temple and restored them. They proclaimed Jesus as the great High Priest, the LORD, Melchizedek, the Son of God Most High, Immanuel, God with us.
Latter-day Saints share much knowledge with others, but within the Church is the great fulfillment, the authority, and the order of Melchizedek. The Church brings alive what can only be hinted elsewhere.
Post Script:
My perspective on Melchizedek is narrow and limited. It is very useful to examine other LDS and non-LDS literatures. I highly recommend Margaret Barker's scholarship, but other fascinating non-LDS sources can be found at Virtual_Religion. Intriguing is the work of non-LDS theologian Paul Sumner of Hebrew-streams.org, who recognizes the importance of the heavenly council, and who distinguishes Jesus from God the Father. See his analysis of 11Q13 in a post entitled: Melchizedek: Angel, Man, or Messiah? Also, he has a interesting paper entitled: “Messianic” Texts at Qumran. I will leave it to better theologians to provide an analysis of these fascinating works.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2008 S.Faux (Email: foxgoku54 [at] gmail [d0t] com; URL: http://mormoninsights.blogspot.com). Readers may distribute this post for noncommercial purposes provided such distributing is of the entire post, including author's copyright and contact information. All other rights reserved.
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7 comments:
Interesting post. I think there is still much to learn (and be revealed) about Melchizedek and his ancient role.
Regarding some of your quotes where Melchizedek is associated with Jehovah, I read them as describing Jehovah Himself; ancillary to Melchizedek the man who was contemporary with Abraham.
Melchizedek - malchi=king, zedek=righteousness.
Just a thought.
Jeremy:
First of all, thanks for responding.
I don't think your interpretation is inconsistent with mine at all. The referent for the term Melchizedek is not always very clear in ancient texts, but there is usually a prophetic element. And, yes, there is MUCH research still to be done. As such, I hope the essay does not sound dogmatic.
What fascinates me about the Melchizedek literature is how often it is ignored by modern theologies. In many respects, Joseph Smith was way ahead of his time.
I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on Melchizedek. I can't get my head around gnostic scripture, but its strange how a lot of the ideas have been restored through the LDS church. Perhaps Melchizedek is such a powerful figure much like Abraham because they paved the way for Christ to come on earth. I can't express myself in words but its very deep and appreciate your posts, will need to some further reading into it.
Melchizedek came to my mind a while back and I had the desire to study. After reading the scriptures concerning Him, I had a glimmer, and I want to share it now. Melchizedek perhaps was the Messiah of the previous world of Heavenly Father. Just as He created this world Through His Son Jehovah, perhaps Melchizedek was the Son That He created the last world through. God has no beginning no end. I know we are not the first and will not be the last. Our God is eternal and His plan is perfect. Even if I am mistaken about Melchizedek, I know there were brothers and sisters before us. Jesus Christ is the Savior of this world,and of that I am certain.
Thank you for your insight, and respond if you are inclined to.
Letty:
All I can say is that LDS doctrine would NOT support your speculation that Melchizedek was some kind of Messiah of a previous world. On the contrary, Latter-day doctrine would teach there is only ONE Savior, Jesus, and that his atonement was INFINITE.
But, I thank you for your thoughts. Keep thinking.
Dad,
The star of david like picture on the side of your blog, which represents Melchizedek, how did you come across that?
Is it universally known to represent Melchizedek? Was the symbol found in ancient texts?
Son #1
Son#1:
To get a start on the seal or star of Melchizedek, I recommend the fun articles by Bryce Haymond. Be sure to read all four parts. I can provide more, after you have started on these readings.
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