Few mysteries of the Bible have been as intriguing as the mystery of the identity of Melchizedek. Who is he? Some have speculated that Melchizedek is Yeshua (Jesus), or the archangel Michael, or Shem the son of Noah, or just an ordinary human, or even another divine being as a type of Christ? There is little said about him in the Bible, but we are given several clues.
Illustration of Abraham, Sarah & Isaac
Map shows where Abraham and his army rescued Lot, and where Abraham met Melchizedek the king of Shalem in the king's valley.
The first time he is mentioned is in Genesis 14. Abraham had just returned from his defeat of king Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him; and having rescued his nephew Lot and his possessions, he met with the king of Shalem in the King's Valley (the valley of Shaveh). Here is the account:
And Melchizedek king of Shalem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he gave him a tenth of all. (Genesis 14:18-20)
Who was this Melchizedek, whom Abraham honored and acknowledged; to whom Abraham gave a tithe of all he had gained in battle?
Then he is mentioned again in Psalm 110, which is clearly speaking of the Messiah (Yeshua?) that will come to reign on the earth; and that this Messiah will judge the nations on the day of the Lord.
The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, "Thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." (Psalm 110:4)
Why is the priesthood of Melchizedek special and why does it last forever?
In the New Testament, the entire 7th chapter of the book of Hebrews is devoted to the priesthood of Yeshua, and to the Melchizedek connection. There are some very interesting details in Hebrews 7, which clue us into who Melchizedek was, and together with this matrix, I believe this mystery has been solved. Melchizedek is Yeshua! He is the second in the trinity, the righteousness of Yahweh, which is Yeshua. Here are some of the basics:
If you look at his name or title, Melchizedek (Melkhey-Tsedek) is translated as King of Righteousness. Who could be king of righteousness, but Yeshua our Messiah? Melchizedek was the king of Shalem, which is king of peace. Yeshua is known as the prince of peace. Who could be king of peace over Yeshua? No one! Melchizedek was without father or mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life. Who could this be said of, other than God himself? No one! Melchizedek has an indestructible life and abides a priest perpetually. No human could fit this bill. And could there be two who abide as a priest to God forever (a man and also Yeshua)? It was also said that Melchizedek was made in the image or likeness of the Son of God. This could be taken as the image of the son of God (the second in the trinity) or as the image of the begotten son of God, when the Lord took on a fleshly body. But they are one and the same.
Illustration with Abraham, Melchizedek and the king of Sodom.
Interestingly, there is a Dead Sea scroll that identifies Melchizedek as the one who will carry out the vengeance of God's judgments and the one who delivers the people from the hand of Belial and the spirits of his lot. Here is a translation for those who are interested.
The Coming of Melchizedek
Dead Sea Scroll: 11Q13, Column 2(...) And concerning what Scripture says, "In this year of Jubilee you shall return, everyone f you, to your property" (Lev. 25;13) And what is also written; "And this is the manner of the remission; every creditor shall remit the claim that is held against a neighbor, not exacting it of a neighbor who is a member of the community, because God`s remission has been proclaimed" (Deut.15;2) the interpretation is that it applies to the Last Days and concerns the captives, just as Isaiah said: "To proclaim the Jubilee to the captives" (Isa. 61;1) (...) just as (...) and from the inheritance of Melchizedek, for (... Melchizedek), who will return them to what is rightfully theirs. He will proclaim to them the Jubilee, thereby releasing them from the debt of all their sins. He shall proclaim this decree in the first week of the jubilee period that follows nine jubilee periods. Then the "Day of Atonement" shall follow after the tenth jubilee period, when he shall atone for all the Sons of Light, and the people who are predestined to Melchizedek. (...) upon them (...) For this is the time decreed for the "Year of Melchizedek`s favour", and by his might he will judge God`s holy ones and so establish a righteous kingdom, as it is written about him in the Songs of David ; "A godlike being has taken his place in the council of God; in the midst of divine beings he holds judgement" (ps. 82;1). Scripture also says about him ; "Over it take your seat in the highest heaven; A divine being will judge the peoples" (Ps. 7;7-8) Concerning what scripture says ; " How long will you judge unjustly , and show partiality with the wicked? Selah" (Ps. 82;2), the interpretation applies to Belial and the spirits predestined to him, because all of them have rebelled, turning from God`s precepts and so becoming utterly wicked. Therefore Melchizedek will thoroughly prosecute the vengeance required by God`s statutes. Also, he will deliver all the captives from the power of Belial, and from the power of all the spirits destined to him. Allied with him will be all the "righteous divine beings"(Isa. 61;3). (The ...) is that whi(ch ...all) the divine beings.
The visitation is the Day of Salvation that He has decreed through Isaiah the prophet concerning all the captives, inasmuch as Scripture says, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion "Your divine being reigns"." (Isa. 52;7) This scriptures' interpretation: "the mountains" are the prophets, they who were sent to proclaim God`s truth and to prophesy to all Israel. "The messengers" is the Anointed of the spirit, of whom Daniel spoke; "After the sixty-two weeks, an Anointed 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 favour, the day of the vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn" (Isa. 61;2) This scripture`s interpretation: he is to instruct them about all the periods of history for eternity (... and in the statutes) of the truth. (...) (.... dominion) that passes from Belial and returns to the Sons of Light (....) (...) by the judgment of God, just as it is written concerning him; "who says to Zion "Your divine being reigns" (Isa. 52;7) "Zion" is the congregation of all the sons of righteousness, who uphold the covenant and turn from walking in the way of the people. "Your divine being" is Melchizedek, who will deliver them from the power of Belial. Concerning what scripture says, "Then you shall have the trumpet sounded loud; in the seventh month . . . " (Lev. 25;9)
The above excerpt from the Dead Sea Scrolls, reveals the same future duties for Melchizedek, that the New Testament reveals for Yeshua (Jesus). The matrix report and matrix below show that they are the same person.
