Melchizedek Is a Mysterious Biblical Figure About

Melchizedek is a mysterious Biblical figure about whom very little is known. He is alluded to in the Old Testament only in the Book of Genesis, and is referred to a few times in the New Testament in the Pauline text Hebrews. No actual historical data exists to support the existence of Melchizedek the man, although the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls did lead to some scholars believing that Melchidekek was indeed an historical figure ("Melchizedek").

Universally, Melchizedek is thought to be a priest of the highest order, as well as the king of Salem (usually considered to be another name for Jerusalem). When his character first appears in Genesis, Melchizedek appears to Abraham, offering him bread and wine in honor of Abraham's victories. Therefore, Melchizedek was a high priest and kingly figure. He is sometimes equated with Shem, son of Noah ("Melchizedek"). Biblical references would place his life sometime around 2000 BCE. Moreover, some believe that Melchizedek is the patriarch of the Davidian priestly lineage.

As such, Melchizedek is heralded as a forebear of Jesus himself. In the book of Hebrews, Jesus is directly referred to as a "priest in the order of Melchizedek," (7:17). The New Testament also refers to the "future King of Israel," a descendent of Melchizedek who is believed to be the Christ. A collection of texts discovered in Egypt in the 1940s, referred to as the Nag Hammadi Library, refer to Melchizedek as a Christ-like and mystical figure.

Some interpreters of the Dead Sea Scrolls find that Melchizedek may have been an incarnation of an archangel, perhaps Michael. Thus, Melchizedek is shrouded in mystery, his character considered to be at once historical and supernatural. Melchizedek takes on further importance win the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, whose primary texts the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants allude to him as King of Salem and as a remarkable high priest.

Doctrine and Covenants 107:3 states that Melchizedek was "great high priest," and therefore a priestly lineage was named for him. The Priesthood of Melchizedek of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is one of two main priesthoods in the Mormon faith; the other is the Aaronic priesthood. According to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints doctrine, Melchizedek helped to turn around the sinful city of Salem and spiritually purified its people.

Melchizedek is heralded as a figure second only to Christ in his spiritual stature in Mormon texts. According to Mormon doctrine, the Priesthood of Melchizedek stemmed from the earliest Hebrew patriarchs. Abraham "received the priesthood from Melchizedek, who received it through the lineage of his fathers, even till Noah; and from Noah till Enoch; through the lineage of their fathers," (Doctrines and Covenants 84: 14-15). Moreover, Adam, the first man, is set forth as a primogenitor of the priesthood of Melchizedek.

Thus, the priesthood is portrayed as an eternal and timeless order and in this sense, reaches a mystical status. The Melchizedek Priesthood is "greater" than the Aaronic, and through it, the "key of the mysteries of the kingdom and even the key of the knowledge of God" can be bestowed (Doctrines and Covenants 84:19). When Moses' people sinned against God, the Lord took away the Melchizedek Priesthood as a punishment, as a means to separate humankind from their Creator.

The "lesser" Aaronic Priesthood was permitted to continue, but the Aaronic is a mundane order compared to the more mystical Melchizedek Priesthood. Jesus restored the Melchizedek Priesthood as a function of the "gospel of repentance and of baptism and the remission of sins," (Doctrines and Covenants 84:27). However, "was lost again by apostasy, and was taken from the earth," only to be later restored through Saints Peter, James, and John, who were said to have appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in 1829 ("Melchizedek Priesthood," Bible Dictionary).

The president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the highest priest in the Melchizedek order, and he is the only person on earth who holds its attendant spiritual powers. Although the Melchizedek Priesthood and lineage is referred to in the Old Testament, it is not considered in the same light as in Mormon sacred texts. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints proposes an intricate and hierarchical order for the priesthood, which is not mentioned in the Old or the New Testaments.

Therefore, although Melchizedek is generally believed to have been a spiritually and historically great figure in the Judeo-Christian traditions, his priesthood has been interpreted differently by different people. In fact, some have proposed that Melchizedek was the Messiah,.