Verified Document

Melchizedek Is A Mysterious Biblical Figure About Term Paper

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...

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…

Sources used in this document:
References

Huie, Bryan T. (1997). Was the Logos Melchizedek? Retrieved online at http://users.aristotle.net/~bhuie/melchiz.htm

'Melchizedek. (2005). Wikipedia. Retrieved online at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melchizedek

'Melchizedek Priesthood." (2000). Bible Dictionary. Retrieved online at http://scriptures.lds.org/bdm/mlchzdkp

The Nag Hammadi Library: Melchizedek. Giversen, Soren and Pearson, Birger A. (Trans). Retrieved online from http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/melchiz.html
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Historical Figures and Earth
Words: 1287 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Origins I conducted interviews with three individuals: Rosemary, Ann and Tom, and got varying answers. However, all the responses held that the days of creation of Genesis 1 were literally six (24-hour) days. Their proof of this is in Genesis where day is described as the light to differentiate it from the darkness, referred to as night. Tom and Ann are convinced that earth and life is about 6,000 years

Nostradamus Fewer Historical Figures Are
Words: 1237 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

Naturally, Nostradamus' credibility will always be on shaky ground because of the vague language he used in his prophecies. Let's take, for example, a widely quoted Nostradamus prediction that some followers believe foretold the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy. Nostradamus wrote that "The great man will be struck down in the day by a thunderbolt. An evil deed, foretold by the bearer of a petition. According to

Historical Art Periods
Words: 865 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Impressionism vs. Post-Impressionism Impressionism vs. Post This paper will explore impressionism vs. post-impressionism including the influences of each on each other and society, and the effects of each other on the 19th century. The paper will ascertain how one period revived or continued the style and characteristics of the other, or how one period originated in reaction to the other. Impressionist paintings tended to focus less on detail and more on making

Figures of Legend in History
Words: 3464 Length: 10 Document Type: Thesis

Conventional literature would come to see Cleopatra as an exploitive whore, responsible for the downfall of virtuous men like the Ptolemies, Julius Caesar and, inevitably, Marc Antony as well. So is this reported by historical accounts such as that by Cassius Dio who reflected that "Indeed she so enchanted and enthralled not only Antony but all others who counted for anything with him that she came to entertain the hope that she would rule the

Young Adult Is Advantageous. Historical
Words: 984 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

A work of non-fiction does not have to be about a person, however. Non-fiction work can include theories of social studies, presented in interesting and new ways. Non-fiction is tremendously helpful in lesson planning because the prose elucidates issues in subjects like science and social studies. Question 6: Although she is not remembered as a major figure in the Civil Rights Movement, Marian Anderson's life contributed to some of the

David Hatcher Childress' Historical Conspiracy
Words: 1654 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

The crossed bones were reference to the original Templar logo of a red cross with blunted ends -- and also to human mortality. But it also was a life-giving symbol, as Christ was crucified at Golgotha, the "Place of the Skull." Thus, the Templars did not fear death upon the earth, as they were one with Christ, where he died (Jerusalem) and the cross where he died. This fearless

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now