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Melchizedek Traditions

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Melchizedek Traditions refer to the various religious and theological interpretations surrounding Melchizedek, a biblical figure described in the Hebrew Bible and Christian texts. These traditions explore his role as a priest and king, his significance in the context of covenant theology, and his influence on later religious thought, particularly in Judaism and Christianity.
lightbulbAbout this topic
Melchizedek Traditions refer to the various religious and theological interpretations surrounding Melchizedek, a biblical figure described in the Hebrew Bible and Christian texts. These traditions explore his role as a priest and king, his significance in the context of covenant theology, and his influence on later religious thought, particularly in Judaism and Christianity.

Key research themes

1. How Do Second Temple Period Texts and Hebrews Interpret Melchizedek’s Priesthood and Its Significance?

This research area investigates the development of Melchizedek traditions during the Second Temple period, focusing on how these traditions — particularly in Jewish apocalyptic literature and the New Testament Epistle to the Hebrews — reimagine Melchizedek’s identity beyond the brief biblical mentions. It examines interpretive expansions on Melchizedek’s priesthood, his cosmic or heavenly status, and his typological role in early Christology, highlighting the creative appropriation of Genesis 14 and Psalm 110 texts that shaped understandings of priesthood and messianic expectations.

Key finding: This study clarifies how Second Temple apocalyptic texts demonstrate a vitality of engagement with Melchizedek traditions that extend the Hebrew Bible pre-texts (Gen. 14 and Ps. 110). The author argues that Hebrews is not... Read more
Key finding: This paper explicates how Hebrews uniquely constructs Jesus' priesthood 'after the order of Melchizedek' by weaving together textual traditions from Genesis 14, Psalm 110, and Second Temple literature. It shows the... Read more
Key finding: The Dead Sea Scroll fragment 11QMelchizedek expands the scant biblical portrait of Melchizedek into a cosmic redeemer figure involved in eschatological battles and salvation events. This text emphasizes Melchizedek's heavenly... Read more
Key finding: This article critically reexamines the prevailing scholarly interpretation that Philo allegorically identifies Melchizedek as the divine Logos. It shows that, despite the use of the term λόγος for Melchizedek in Philo’s... Read more
Key finding: This article conducts an exegetical examination demonstrating that Hebrews constructs Melchizedek as an eternal priest, superior to the Levitical priesthood, to support the theological argument of Christ's unique and... Read more

2. What Are the Varied Jewish Interpretations and Political Implications of Melchizedek Traditions in the Late Second Temple and Rabbinic Periods?

This theme focuses on Jewish exegetical expansions and polemical transformations of Melchizedek’s figure and priesthood from the Dead Sea Scrolls through rabbinic literature. It examines how Melchizedek’s status was debated, sometimes diminished in rabbinic circles, as a reaction to Christian Melchizedekian Christology and priesthood claims. The discussions illuminate ongoing priestly disputes, sectarian identities, and ideological conflicts regarding legitimate priesthoods, covenant inheritance, and social-religious authority within Judaism.

Key finding: This thesis demonstrates that early Jewish texts (Dead Sea Scrolls, Targums, 2 Enoch) held Melchizedek in high regard as priest-king, but rabbinic literature begins marginalizing and rejecting his priestly role. This response... Read more
Key finding: The paper compares Melchizedek with Jehoiachin to highlight how both historically minor biblical figures gained legendary and eschatological significance in post-exilic texts. It illustrates how Qumran sectarianism focused on... Read more
Key finding: Through comprehensive analysis of all preserved fragments, this study argues against prevailing scholarly assumptions that the Visions of Amram exhibits hostility toward the Jerusalem Aaronid priesthood. Instead, it reveals a... Read more
Key finding: This paper reinterprets Luke’s parable as an allegory for the historical and ongoing conflict between legitimate Zadokite priesthood and illegitimate lineages like that of Ithamar's descendants (Ahimelech priests), rather... Read more

3. How Do Extra-Biblical and Apocryphal Texts Contribute to the Mythic and Theological Construction of Melchizedek?

This theme explores apocryphal materials—such as 2 Enoch, the Slavonic Book of Nir, and other pseudepigraphal texts—and their roles in augmenting Melchizedek’s mythic profile. It investigates how these texts merge priestly, royal, and cosmic functions into Melchizedek’s portrayal, conveying theological messages about divine election, eschatological roles, and priestly legitimacy. This corpus reflects the cross-cultural and intertextual dialogue between Jewish, Christian, and Hellenistic traditions shaping Melchizedek’s reception.

Key finding: This study summarizes 2 Enoch’s narrative wherein Melchizedek is born miraculously to Nir’s wife, hidden by angelic intervention, and designated by God as an eternal priest. The text portrays Melchizedek as integral to... Read more
Key finding: The Slavonic text provides a detailed account of Melchizedek’s miraculous birth and early life, portraying him as a divinely chosen priestly figure preserved from death and destined for eternal priestly service. The text... Read more
Key finding: The article challenges traditional dualistic readings of the Vision of Amram by contextualizing Melchizedek as the figure representing legitimate priesthood opposed to a corrupted Melchiresha. This reframing illuminates how... Read more
Key finding: Cargill’s monograph offers a redaction-critical thesis that Melchizedek was originally the king of Sodom rather than Salem, and that the Melchizedek episode was part of an early Abraham narrative rather than a later... Read more

All papers in Melchizedek Traditions

Enoch’s ancient prophecy describes the end-times evildoers — the rulers, the mighty, the sinners — who seize the earth, deceive nations, and persecute God’s people. This paper compares Enoch’s warnings with today’s Global Elite: the... more
This paper results from a lifelong search for truth-truth buried beneath centuries of religious dogma, half-remembered prophecy, and forgotten memories. At its heart lies a singular question: Who was Melchizedek, and why does his fleeting... more
Philo Judaeus ourished in Alexandria during the latter half of the rst century b.c.e. and the rst half-century c.e. At that time, the Alexandrian Jewish community was very large|probably larger than the whole of Palestinian Jewry and... more
Various academic works have addressed the function of all the priesthoods mentioned in the Bible. This work sought to relate and connect the service function of the different priesthoods in the Bible in relation to the concept of the... more
Problematika fenomenológie daru je podrobne rozpracovaná ako v zahraničnej,1 tak aj v domácej fenomenologickej spisbe.2 Ide o tému populárnu minimálne od čias, kedy Marcel Mauss upozornil na niektoré antropologické špecifiká tohto... more
This paper examines the possibilities of a more dynamic translation of Biblical narratives, by the application of the form-to-function method of syntactical interpretation. This, in connection with the anterior construction shows that the... more
Poza wykazem skrótów, przedmową, wstępem, bibliografią, wykazem tabel, indeksem osób, postaci biblijnych i geograficznym oraz streszczeniem w językach polskim i angielskim praca zawiera pięć zasadniczych części, noszących kolejno tytuły:... more
1. Overview ………………………………. 1
2. Historical Background …………………. 3
3. Apocalyptic Elements ………………….. 4
4. Purpose …………………………………. 4
The Zionist establishment of a state called “Israel” by secular Eastern European militarists was sacrilegious: a falsification of history and a politically calculated appropriation of this sacred name. Table of contents: 1. The previous... more
The paper is dedicated to the analysis of a Slavonic-Romanian manuscript that contains several eschatological works.
This note announces and publishes for the first time a heretofore unknown and unidentified fragment of a medieval codex manuscript that presents consecutive verses of Gen. 15 and 16 in alternating Hebrew (Scripture) and Aramaic (Targum).... more
The article is aimed to describe and analyze contents of the manuscripts from the Oriental department of Gorky Scientific Library of St. Petersburg State University, devoted to the different aspects of interfaith interaction in the holy... more
Abstract: The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) has long been misinterpreted within Christian theology as a depiction of the afterlife and a condemnation of the Jewish people. Traditional Christian doctrine views the... more
The article examines the expression "come, see," which appears three times in non-translation passages of the Palestinian Targums (Gen 22:10; 28:12; Num 21:6). This technical phrase is rarely used in the Hebrew Bible, where it occurs only... more
Herdenking van pater prof.mag.dr.J.P.M. van der Ploeg O.P. 2004 door E.Noort In verkorte vorm uitgesproken in de zitting van de Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen -Afdeling Letteren-op 10 januari 2005. Op een foto 1 van... more
O Salmo 110 é frequentemente destacado como uma referência messiânica no Antigo Testamento, especialmente no contexto neotestamentário – sobretudo na Epístola aos Hebreus –, onde é amplamente citado para enfatizar a natureza e o papel do... more
Het eerste boek van het Oude Testament, het boek Genesis, neemt binnen het grote literaire verband van Genesis tot Koningen een bijzondere plaats in. Anders dan in de boeken Exodus-Koningen speelt het volk Israel in het boek Genesis nog... more
Het eerste boek van het Oude Testament, het boek Genesis, neemt binnen het grote literaire verband van Genesis tot Koningen een bijzondere plaats in. Anders dan in de boeken Exodus-Koningen speelt het volk Israel in het boek Genesis nog... more
The present article is dedicated to the investigation problem of the interpretation of Melchizedek as the divine Logos in one of Philo of Alexandria fragments namely Legum allegoriae III, 79–82. In this fragment Philo uses the word λόγος... more
В настоящей статье изучается интерпретация образа Мелхиседека как божественного Логоса в фрагменте Legum allegoriae III, 79–82. В этом фрагменте Филон Александрийский дважды именует Мелхиседека логосом (λόγος), из чего, однако, ещё не... more
In the Letter to the Hebrews, the author affirms that Jesus' high priesthood is according to the order of Melchizedek, which means that it is more ancient than and superior to the Levitical high priesthood, founded on Aaron, the brother... more
V Biblii nachádzame dva dominantné spôsoby znovunastolenia spravodlivosti: súd a právny spor, nazývaný rîb. V príspevku chceme ukázať porovnaním s Nátanovým podobenstvom o ovečke, ktoré je typickým príkladom právnej procedúry rîb v Starom... more
The article surveys the Old Testament Apocrypha in Coptic literature. After problematizing the nature and list of Apocrypha, specifically in the Egyptian context, it pragmatically uses Clavis apocryphorum Veteris Testamenti as a reference... more
Β' έκδοση (2nd version), με αρκετά νέα στοιχεία, και κεφάλαια. Ειδικά, - Τό κλείσιμο τῆς Ὡραίας Πύλης τοῦ Ἱεροῦ (τά Βημόθυρα καί τό Καταπέτασμα) στά Ἱερατικά τῆς Ἀποστολικῆς Διακονίας — Σύγκριση, σχόλια - Ὁ διαχωρισμὸς τῶν Φύλων στὸν... more
A review of Hebrews–An Earth Bible Commentary: A City That Cannot Be Shaken by Jeffrey S. Lamp for Reviews of Biblical Literature.
LINK: https://www.sblcentral.org/home/bookDetails/1001924?new=true
In this article author researches the specific of the text of ancient Jewish Historian Josephus Flavius (1 А.D.) "Jewish Antiquities" in comparison with other ancient texts such as The Bible, Midrash, Talmud, texts of Greek and Roman... more
In this article author researches the specific of the text of ancient Jewish Historian Josephus Flavius (1 А.D.) "Jewish Antiquities" in comparison with other ancient texts such as The Bible, Midrash, Talmud, texts of Greek and... more
In this article author researches the specific of the text of ancient Jewish Historian Josephus Flavius (1 А.D.) "Jewish Antiquities" in comparison with other ancient texts such as The Bible, Midrash, Talmud, texts of Greek and... more
The article demonstrates that the Qurʾān has knowledge of a wide scope of fine details of Biblical passages, including the Tanakh in Hebrew and Syriac (Masoretic Text and Peshitta) and the New Testament (Greek and Syriac Peshitta).... more
After the exile, several interpretive options arose to explain how Israelite kingship would continue after exile in the new age of world empire. Both Melchizedek and Jehoiachin assumed importance seemingly out of all proportion to that... more
Review of Eep Talstra, De bijbel als biografie van God en mensen: Geschiedenis en hergebruik van teksten, Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press 2024.
A large percentage of English Bible readers are not are not conversant in the original languages they miss semantic neuance and intentional short cuts. Such is the case here. It is the purpose of this paper to point out that Pau's use of... more
Omissions and additions are countered among the most invasive translation techniques. In this contribution we explore just how invasive they are and how often they occur in poetic translation. In search for answers an empiric study has... more
Cleanness and holiness are not rungs on a ladder;  they are two separate dimensions.
This article ends the special issue that aims to introduce the conception of "books known only by title" as a fruitful new focus of research. My contribution concerning two texts of the Islamic estoeric eschatological genre of jafr serves... more
"... allowing us to accept Melchizedek as a mortal human being, his identity need no longer remain an enigma. There really was only one renowned and august personage in that period of Old Testament history who could have held that... more
Druhý list Korinťanom je ďalším z Pavlových autentických listov, ktoré sú v záujme výskumu autorského kolektívu. Prvoradým cieľom je vytvorenie moderného, spisovného, nadkonfesionálneho prekladu starovekého textu, ktorého súčasťou sú... more
«Вопросы богословия» (Theological Questions) — научный журнал Московской духовной академии, посвящённый ключевым вопросам современного богословия. Основные направления исследований: систематическое богословие, антропология, апологетика,... more
For citation:Kovshov Mikhail V., Popov Ioann V., deacon, Todiev Alexander A., priest. (2022) “The Figure of Melchizedek in the Old Testament Apocrypha of the Second Temple Period”. Theo-logical Questions, no. 2 (8), pp. 29–45 (in... more
Вопросы богословия: научный журнал / Московская духовная академия. — Сергиев Посад: Издательство Московской духовной академии, 2022. — № 1 (7). — 116 с. «Вопросы богословия» (Theological Questions) — научный журнал Московской духовной... more
Jesus’ relationship with the Psalms, Israel’s liturgical hymnbook, is a complex and intriguing one. Although his own self-identity was bound to his use of the Psalter, Jesus did not invoke the portions of the Hebrew Scriptures commonly... more
Egzegeza filozofa, biblisty i teologa żydowskiego z diaspory w Aleksandrii-Filona (ok. 15 prz. Chr.-50 po Chr.)-stanowi połączenie elementów helleńskich i judaistycznych 1. Filon reprezentował w swojej interpretacji ksiąg biblijnych,... more
Gerhard von Rad's exegesis on Genesis 22 shows that the test of Abraham or the Aqedah contains a problem of the endangered promise. Isaac was seen as the promised child, the proto-Israel. Hence, there is a dilemma of the endangered people... more
The authoress of the review begins her text with the statement that the book<br> "Szukaj pokoju i dąż do niego" (Ps 34, 15). Biblia o pokoju ["Look for peace and strive for<br> it" (Ps 34:15). The Bible on... more
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