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108-645: Melchizedek is a king and priest appearing in the Book of Genesis . The name means "King of Righteousness" – a name echoing kingly and priestly functions. He is the first individual to be given the title Kohen (priest) in the Hebrew Bible . In the King James Version the Book of Psalms 110:4 names Melchizedek as representative of the priestly line through which a future king of Israel 's Davidic line

216-653: A Messianic Age originated in Judaism , and in the Hebrew Bible , in which a mashiach is a king or High Priest traditionally anointed with holy anointing oil . In Judaism, Ha-mashiach ( המשיח , 'the Messiah';), often referred to as melekh ha-mashiach ( מלך המשיח , 'King Messiah'), is a fully human non-deity Jewish leader, physically descended via a human genetic father of an unbroken paternal Davidic line through King David and King Solomon . He will accomplish predetermined things in

324-878: A priest and handed down Adam's robes to Abram (Numbers Rabbah 4:8). Rabbi Isaac the Babylonian said that Melchizedek was born circumcised (Genesis Rabbah 43:6). Melchizedek called Jerusalem "Salem." (Genesis Rabbah 56:10.) The Rabbis said that Melchizedek instructed Abram in the Torah . (Genesis Rabbah 43:6.) Rabbi Eleazar said that Melchizedek's school was one of three places where the Holy Spirit ( Ruach HaKodesh ) manifested himself (Babylonian Talmud Makkot 23b). Rabbi Judah said in Rabbi Nehorai's name that Melchizedek's blessing yielded prosperity for Abram, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis Rabbah 43:8). Ephraim Miksha'ah

432-634: A " tenth of everything ". In Christianity , according to the Epistle to the Hebrews , Jesus Christ is identified as "High priest forever in the order of Melchizedek", and so Jesus assumes the role of High Priest once and for all. Chazalic literature – specifically Targum Jonathan , Targum Yerushalmi , and the Babylonian Talmud – presents his name ( מלכי־צדק ‎ ) as a nickname for Shem . Joseph Blenkinsopp has suggested that

540-688: A "Canaanite chief" in The Jewish War , but as a priest in Antiquities of the Jews . Philo identifies Melchizedek with the Logos as priest of God, and honoured as an untutored priesthood. The Second Book of Enoch (also called "Slavonic Enoch") is apparently a Jewish sectarian work of the 1st century AD. The last section of the work, the Exaltation of Melchizedek , tells how Melchizedek

648-590: A change also of the law" (Hebrews 7:11-12). The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews in the New Testament discussed this subject considerably, listing the following reasons for why the priesthood of Melchizedek is superior to the Aaronic priesthood: The epistle goes on to say that the covenant of Jesus is superior to the covenant the Levitical priesthood is under. Some Christians hold that Melchizedek

756-707: A concept of the messiah fundamentally different from the Jewish and Islamic concepts. In each of the four New Testament Gospels , the only literal anointing of Jesus is conducted by a woman. In the Gospels of Mark , Matthew , and John , this anointing occurs in Bethany , outside Jerusalem. In the Gospel of Luke , the anointing scene takes place at an indeterminate location, but the context suggests it to be in Galilee, or even

864-613: A famous Muslim jurist of the Fatimid period , the Quran identifies Jesus as the messiah because he was sent to the people who responded to him in order to remove ( masaha ) their impurities, the ailments of their faith, whether apparent ( zāhir ) or hidden ( bātin ). Jesus is one of the most important prophets in the Islamic tradition, along with Noah , Abraham , Moses , and Muhammad . Unlike Christians, Muslims see Jesus as

972-655: A fringe idea, somewhat controversially, belief in the eventual coming of a future messiah is a fundamental part of Judaism, and is one of Maimonides ' 13 Principles of Faith . Maimonides describes the identity of the Messiah in the following terms: And if a king shall arise from among the House of David, studying Torah and occupied with commandments like his father David, according to the written and oral Torah, and he will impel all of Israel to follow it and to strengthen breaches in its observance, and will fight God's wars, this one

1080-587: A future arrival, including the unification of the tribes of Israel , the gathering of all Jews to Eretz Israel , the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem , the ushering in of a Messianic Age of global universal peace, and the annunciation of the world to come . The Greek translation of Messiah is Khristós ( Χριστός ), anglicized as Christ . It occurs 41 times in the Septuagint and 529 times in

1188-474: A king of Salem, mentioned in Joshua 10:1–3, where the element malik ('king') is replaced by adon ('lord'). Parallel theophoric names , with Sedeq replaced by Yahu , are those of Malchijah and Adonijah , both biblical characters placed in the time of David . The narrative of Genesis 14 is part of the larger story telling how Abram returns from defeating king Chedorlaomer and meets with Bera

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1296-609: A letter ו ‎ ( vav ). William F. Albright views the Samaritan wording as authentic as does the New American Bible . Regarding the residence of Melchizedek, Samaritan tradition identified a "Salem" as a place on the slopes of Mount Gerizim which served as a blessing place of the children of Israel upon their initial crossing of the Jordan river. The Samaritans allocate Gerizim (and not Jerusalem) as

1404-585: A moral point ( aggadah ), tells of a highly respected rabbi who found the Messiah at the gates of Rome and asked him, "When will you finally come?" He was quite surprised when he was told, "Today." Overjoyed and full of anticipation, the man waited all day. The next day he returned, disappointed and puzzled, and asked, "You said messiah would come 'today' but he didn't come! What happened?" The Messiah replied, "Scripture says, 'Today, if you will but hearken to his voice. ' " A Kabbalistic tradition within Judaism

1512-445: A personal name but changes the identity of the person addressed: "You are a priest forever by my order (or 'on my account'), O Melchizedek" – here it is Melchizedek who is being addressed throughout the psalm. The majority of Chazalic literature attributes the primary character of the psalm as King David who was a "righteous king" ( מלכי צדק ‎ ) of Salem and, like Melchizedek, had certain priest-like responsibilities, while

1620-516: A priest forever." Melchizedek gave Abraham bread and wine, which Christians generally consider to pre-figure the Eucharist , being symbols or sacraments of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, and perhaps a sacrifice to confirm a covenant. Catholics believe that Melchizedek was a prefiguration of the priesthood of Christ(CCC 1544). In Genesis 14:18, Melchizedek offers a sacrifice of bread and wine. Catholics believe that Christ therefore fulfilled

1728-530: A prophet, but not as God himself or the son of God . This is because prophecy in human form does not represent the true powers of God, contrary to the popular depiction of Jesus in Christianity. Thus, like all other Islamic prophets , Jesus is one of the grand prophets who receives revelations from God. According to religious scholar Mona Siddiqui , in Islam, "[p]rophecy allows God to remain veiled and there

1836-520: A reference to "the King Who rules with complete sovereignty". or according to another explanation, that "Melchizedek" alludes to the lower world and "king of Salem" to the upper world (Zohar 1:86b–87a). The Zohar's commentary on Genesis 14 cites a Rabbi Yitzchak as saying that it was God who gave tithe to Abram in the form of removing the Hebrew letter He from his throne of glory and presenting it to

1944-683: A separate anointing altogether. Aside from Jesus, the Book of Isaiah refers to Cyrus the Great , king of the Achaemenid Empire , as a messiah for his decree to rebuild the Jerusalem Temple . —  Events  — —  Figures  — —  Events and terms  — —  Events  — The Islamic faith uses the Arabic term al-Masīḥ ( المسيح , pronounced [maˈsiːħ] ) to refer to Jesus. However

2052-485: A similar explanation but varies by saying that only Abram's men partook in the booty (originally belonging to the king of Sodom) whereas the Melchizedek intrusion explains that Abram himself was sustained by Melchizedek since he refused to consume of the luxury of Sodom because his Lord was of the non-material world. Likewise, the commentary of Chaim ibn Attar (17th century) offers a three-pronged slew of reasons for

2160-554: A tenth of God's possession of the entire human race (consisting of seventy nations as described in Genesis ) in the form of the seven nations of the land of Canaan , including the cities of Sodom that Abram succeeded in saving. Rabbi Meir Simcha argues that continued speech of this sort was a common form of prophetic expression. The second and final Hebrew Bible mention of Melchizedek is in Psalm 110:4. The many translations that follow

2268-427: A united resolve (Zephaniah 3:9)." Even though the eventual coming of the messiah is a strongly upheld belief in Judaism, trying to predict the actual time when the messiah will come is an act that is frowned upon. These kinds of actions are thought to weaken the faith the people have in the religion. So in Judaism, there is no specific time when the messiah comes. Rather, it is the acts of the people that determines when

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2376-575: Is Zedek ' ), also transliterated Melchisedech , Melchisedec , Malkisedek or Malki Tzedek , was the king of Salem and priest of El Elyon (often translated as 'most high God'). He is first mentioned in Genesis 14:18–20, where he brings out bread and wine and then blesses Abram , and El Elyon or "the Lord, God Most High". Abram was returning from pursuing the kings who came from the East and gave him

2484-591: Is also called the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:2), as well as the Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14). Later, Melchizedek's people were, according to Joseph Smith , caught up, or " translated ", to meet the city of Enoch ( Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis 14:34). The priesthood is referred to by the name of Melchizedek because he was such a great high priest (Doctrine & Covenants Section 107:2 ). The Doctrine and Covenants states that before Melchizedek's day

2592-592: Is called the Christ—from Greek khristós ( χριστός ), translating the Hebrew word of the same meaning. 'Christ' became the accepted Christian designation and title of Jesus of Nazareth , as Christians believe that the messianic prophecies in the Old Testament—that he is descended from the Davidic line, and was declared King of the Jews —were fulfilled in his mission , death , and resurrection , while

2700-481: Is from among you?" The Quran denies the crucifixion of Jesus, claiming that he was neither killed nor crucified. The Quran also emphasizes the difference between God and the Messiah: Those who say that Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary, are unbelievers. The Messiah said: "O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord... unbelievers too are those who have said that Allah is the third of three...

2808-442: Is given on the transformation of a people by way of offering to suffer for the sake of God instead of giving suffering (i.e. refraining from revenge). Ahmadis believe that this special emphasis was given through the person of Jesus and Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835–1908) among others. Ahmadis hold that the prophesied eschatological figures of Christianity and Islam, the Messiah and Mahdi, were, in fact, to be fulfilled in one person who

2916-434: Is no prophet between me and him, that is, Isa. He will descend (to the earth). When you see him, recognise him: a man of medium height, reddish fair, wearing two light yellow garments, looking as if drops were falling down from his head though it will not be wet. He will fight the people for the cause of Islam. He will break the cross, kill swine, and abolish jizyah . Allah will perish all religions except Islam. He will destroy

3024-607: Is no suggestion in the Qur'an that God wishes to reveal of himself just yet. Prophets guarantee interpretation of revelation and that God's message will be understood." In Sura 19 , the Quran describes the birth of Isa, and Sura 4 explicitly states Isa as the Son of Maryam. Sunni Muslims believe Isa is alive in Heaven and did not die in the crucifixion. Sura 4, verses 157–158, also states that: But they neither killed nor crucified him—it

3132-407: Is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises" (Hebrews 7:5-6). If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity

3240-457: Is referred to again in Hebrews 5:6-10; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:1-21: "Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek"; and Hebrews 8:1. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent

3348-509: Is that the commonly discussed messiah who will usher in a period of freedom and peace, Messiah ben David, will be preceded by Messiah ben Joseph , who will gather the children of Israel around him, leading them to Jerusalem. After overcoming the hostile powers in Jerusalem, Messiah ben Joseph, will reestablish the Temple-worship and set up his own dominion. Then Armilus , according to one group of sources, or Gog and Magog , according to

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3456-509: Is the Arabic word for messiah used by both Arab Christians and Muslims . In modern Arabic, it is used as one of the many titles of Jesus, referred to as Yasūʿ al-Masih ( يسوع المسيح ) by Arab Christians and Īsā al-Masīḥ ( عيسى المسيح ) by Muslims. The literal translation of the Hebrew word mashiach ( מָשִׁיחַ , messiah), is 'anointed', which refers to a ritual of consecrating someone or something by putting holy oil upon it. It

3564-521: Is the Messiah spoken of as "a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek" ( Ps. 110:4 ), and so Jesus plays the role of the king-priest once and for all. According to the writer of Hebrews (7:13-17) Jesus is considered a priest in the order of Melchizedek because, like Melchizedek, Jesus was not a descendant of Aaron , and thus would not qualify for the Jewish priesthood under the Law of Moses . Melchizedek

3672-531: Is to be treated as if he were the anointed one. If he succeeded and built the Holy Temple in its proper place and gathered the dispersed ones of Israel together, this is indeed the anointed one for certain, and he will mend the entire world to worship the Lord together, as it is stated: "For then I shall turn for the nations a clear tongue, so that they will all proclaim the Name of the Lord, and to worship Him with

3780-424: Is used throughout the Hebrew Bible in reference to a wide variety of individuals and objects; for example, kings, priests and prophets, the altar in the Temple, vessels, unleavened bread, and even a non-Jewish king ( Cyrus the Great ). In Jewish eschatology , the term came to refer to a future Jewish king from the Davidic line, who will be "anointed" with holy anointing oil, to be king of God's kingdom , and rule

3888-502: Is written as two words, Malki-ṣedeq מלכי־צדק ‎ , rendered in one word in both the Septuagint ( Μελχισεδέκ ) and Vulgate ( Melchisedech ). The Authorised King James Version of 1611 renders the name "Melchizedek" when translating from the Hebrew, and "Melchisedec" in the New Testament. The name is composed from the two elements: melek(h) , 'king', and ṣedeq , which means either 'righteousness' or

3996-563: The Babylonian Talmud understands the chapter as referring to Abram who was victorious in battling to save his nephew Lot and merited priesthood. The Zohar defines the noted Melchizedek as referring to Ahron the Kohen Gadol (high priest). The Samaritan Pentateuch reads שלמו ‎ ( lit.   ' his peace ' or in contextual flow 'allied with him') in place of the Masoretic שלם ‎ ( Salem ), with addition of

4104-493: The New Testament state that the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoil to Melchizedek. Psalm 110:4 is cited in the New Testament letter to the Hebrews as an indicator that Jesus, regarded in the letter as the Messiah, had a right to a priesthood pre-dating the Jewish Aaronic priesthood (Hebrews 5:5–6). The Mishnah recounts that Hasmonean rulers used to identify themselves as "High Priest of El Elyon ": "When

4212-526: The New Testament . Christians commonly refer to Jesus of Nazareth as either the "Christ" or the "Messiah", believing that some messianic prophecies were fulfilled in the mission , death , and resurrection of Jesus and that he will return in a second coming to fulfill the rest of messianic prophecies. Moreover, unlike the Judaic concept of the Messiah, Jesus Christ is considered the Son of God , although in

4320-547: The Rishonim era (11th to 15th centuries) have explained the (seemingly) abrupt intrusion of Melchizedek into the narration in various ways; Hezekiah ben Manoah ( c.  1250 ) points out that the following verses have Abraham refusing any of the king of Sodom's possessions which, if not for the insertion of Melchizedek's hospitality, would prompt the query as to where Abraham and his weary men got their refreshments from. The Rashbam, Shmuel ben Meir (11th century), offers

4428-590: The Second Temple . It also may have been inserted to give validity to the superiority of the Zadokite priests over the Levite priests. Lebanese Protestant scholar Kamal Salibi (1929–2011) observes that Hebrew : ֹמַעֲשֵׂר ‎ , m'sr , which literally does mean 'tenth', might more loosely be used to mean 'portion', and Hebrew : מִכֹּל ‎ , m-kl , or 'from all', might refer just to food in

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4536-594: The West Bank and part of the Dead Sea Scrolls . Melchizedek is seen as a divine being in the text and is referred to as "El" or " Elohim ", titles usually reserved for God. According to the text, Melchizedek will proclaim the "Day of Atonement " and he will atone for the people who are predestined to him. He also will judge the peoples. The Genesis Apocryphon (1QapGen) repeats information from Genesis. The Qumran Scrolls , also indicate that Melchizedek

4644-509: The Zohar commentary to Genesis 14 cites Rabbi Yitzchak as saying that it was God who gave a tithe to Abram in the form of removing the Hebrew letter He from his own throne of glory and presenting it to the soul of Abram for his benefit. Rabbi Meir Simcha of Dvinsk (1843–1926) interprets the phrase "And he gave him tithe from all" as a verbal continuation of Melchizedek's speech, i.e., Melchizedek exclaimed that God had chosen to gift Abram

4752-539: The Ahmadis do not believe that Jesus is alive in heaven, but that he survived the crucifixion and migrated towards the east where he died a natural death and that Ghulam Ahmad was only the promised spiritual second coming and likeness of Jesus, the promised Messiah and Mahdi. He also claimed to have appeared in the likeness of Krishna and that his advent fulfilled certain prophecies found in Hindu scriptures. He stated that

4860-582: The Antichrist and will live on the earth for forty years and then he will die. The Muslims will pray over him. Both Sunni and Shia Muslims agree that al-Mahdi will arrive first, and after him, Isa. Isa will proclaim al-Mahdi as the Islamic community leader. A war will be fought—the Dajjal against al-Mahdi and Isa. This war will mark the approach of the coming of the Last Day. After Isa slays al-Dajjāl at

4968-586: The Baptist and of the Levites. According to the Book of Mormon , the prophet Melchizedek preached repentance to the people of a wicked city, and established peace in the land. According to Alma 13:18 , Melchizedek's efforts earned him the title "the prince of peace". Of particular importance is the parallel Hebrew meaning of "prince of peace" and "king of Salem", another of Melchizedek's titles, and his association with (or typology of) Jesus Christ, who

5076-581: The Book of Psalms , including in it the work of the elders, including Melchizedek. Thus according to Jewish legend, confusion over Melchizedek being both King and Priest is solved by knowing that Shem was also a progenitor of the Davidic Monarchy, which descended from both Judah and Tamar , who was sentenced to 'death by fire' when accused of committing prostitution as the daughter of high priest Shem. The Zohar (redacted by Moses de León c.  1290s ) finds in "Melchizedek king of Salem"

5184-658: The Gate of Lud , he will bear witness and reveal that Islam is indeed the true and last word from God to humanity as Yusuf Ali 's translation reads: And there is none of the People of the Book but must believe in him before his death; and on the Day of Judgment he will be a witness against them. A hadith in Sahih Bukhari says: Allah's Apostle said, "How will you be when the son of Mariam descends among you and your Imam

5292-716: The Hasmonean kingdom became strong and defeated the Greeks, they instituted that people should mention the name of Heaven even in their legal documents. And therefore they would write: In year such and such of Yoḥanan the High Priest of the God Most High." Scholars have observed that the Hasmoneans used Melchizedek's example of monarch-priest to justify occupying both offices. Josephus refers to Melchizedek as

5400-420: The Jewish faith the King of Israel was also metaphorically called the Son of God . In Islam , Jesus ( Arabic : عيسى , romanized :  Isa ) is held to have been a prophet and the Messiah sent to the Israelites , who will return to Earth at the end of times along with the Mahdi , and defeat al-Masih ad-Dajjal , the false Messiah . In Ahmadiyya theology, these prophecies concerning

5508-405: The Jewish nation. This commission is believed in Judaism to be "a covenant of everlasting priesthood " and not eligible for replacement by other tribes of Israel . Judaic midrash (exegesis) identifies Melchizedek with Shem the son of Noah . Although the Book of Genesis affirms that Melchizedek was "priest of God Most High" (Genesis 14:18), the Midrash and Babylonian Talmud maintain that

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5616-458: The Jewish people during the Messianic Age . In Judaism, the Messiah is not considered to be God or a pre-existent divine Son of God . He is considered to be a great political leader that has descended from King David, hence why he is referred to as Messiah ben David , 'Messiah, son of David'. In Judaism, the messiah is considered to be a great, charismatic leader that is well oriented with the laws that are followed in Judaism. Though originally

5724-419: The Jewish priestly service as a precondition to God revealing his Shekhinah amongst the nation of Israel: And Aaron and his sons I will sanctify to serve me and I will dwell amidst the sons of Israel and I will be to them a God, and they will know that I (am) God their Master that took them out from the land of Egypt (in order that) I (will) dwell in their midst The majority of Chazalic literature attributes

5832-401: The Latter Day Saint movement was Elder . Later revelations extended the office complement to Seventy , High Priest , Patriarch and Apostle . Melchizedek In the Hebrew Bible , Melchizedek ( / m ɛ l ˈ k ɪ z ə d ɛ k / ; Biblical Hebrew : מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק ‎ , romanized:  malkī-ṣeḏeq , 'king of righteousness,' 'my king is righteousness,' or 'my king

5940-688: The Mahdi and the second coming of Jesus are believed to have been fulfilled in Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835–1908), the founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement , wherein the terms Messiah and Mahdi are synonyms for one and the same person. In controversial Chabad messianism , Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (r. 1920–1950), sixth Rebbe (spiritual leader) of Chabad Lubavitch , and Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902–1994), seventh Rebbe of Chabad, are Messiah claimants . Messiah ( Hebrew : מָשִׁיחַ , māšīaḥ or mashiach ; Imperial Aramaic : משיחא ; Classical Syriac : ܡܫܺܝܚܳܐ , Məšîḥā ; Latin : Messias ) literally means ' anointed one '. In Hebrew,

6048-494: The Melchizedek insertion. The narrative preceding Melchizedek's introduction presents a picture of Melchizedek's involvement in the events of his era. The narration details Abram's rescue of his nephew Lot and his spectacular defeat of multiple kings and goes on to define the meeting place of Melchizedek and Abram as " Emek HaShaveh which is Emek HaMelech ". The meeting site has been associated with Emek Yehoshaphat (the Valley of Josaphat ). Targum Onkelos describes

6156-573: The Messiah is often referred to as melekh mashiach ( מלך המשיח ; Tiberian : Meleḵ ha-Mašīaḥ , pronounced [ˈmeleχ hamaˈʃiaħ] ), literally meaning 'the Anointed King'. The Greek Septuagint version of the Old Testament renders all 39 instances of the Hebrew mašíaḥ as Khristós ( Χριστός ). The New Testament records the Greek transliteration Messias ( Μεσσίας ) twice in John . al-Masīḥ ( Arabic : المسيح , pronounced [maˈsiːħ] , lit. 'the anointed', 'the traveller', or 'one who cures by caressing')

6264-423: The Messiah, son of Mary, was only a Messenger before whom other Messengers had gone. The Twelver branch of Shia (or Shi'i) Islam , which significantly values and revolves around the Twelve Imams (spiritual leaders), differs significantly from the beliefs of Sunni Islam . Unlike Sunni Islam, "Messianism is an essential part of religious belief and practice for almost all Shi'a Muslims." Shi'i Islam believes that

6372-411: The Priesthood "was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God. 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 the ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 107:3-4 ). Initially, the only Melchizedek Priesthood office in

6480-450: The Septuagint translate it as: The L ORD hath sworn, and will not repent: 'Thou art a priest for ever after the manner of Melchizedek.' Although the above is the traditional translation of the text, the Hebrew text can be interpreted in various ways, and the New Jewish Publication Society of America Tanakh , (1985 edition), for example, has: You are a priest forever, a rightful king by My decree. Another alternative keeps Melchizedek as

6588-418: The death of Jesus. Religious scholar Mahmoud Ayoub argues "Modern Shi'i thinkers have allowed the possibility that Jesus died and only his spirit was taken up to heaven." Conversely, Siddiqui argues that Shi'i thinkers believe Jesus was "neither crucified nor slain." She also argues that Shi'i Muslims believe that the twelfth imam did not die, but "was taken to God to return in God's time," and "will return at

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6696-482: The deceased Menachem Mendel Schneerson, a later Chabad Halachic ruling claims that it was "incumbent on every single Jew to heed the Rebbe's words and believe that he is indeed King Moshiach , who will be revealed imminently ". Outside of Chabad messianism, in Judaism, there is no basis to these claims. If anything, this resembles the faith in the resurrection of Jesus and his second coming in early Christianity , and therefore, heretical in Judaism . Still today,

6804-412: The deceased rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson is believed to be the Messiah among adherents of the Chabad movement, and his second coming is believed to be imminent. He is venerated and invocated to by thousands of visitors and letters each year at the ( Ohel ), especially in a pilgrimage each year on the anniversary of his death. Originating from the concept in Judaism, the messiah in Christianity

6912-413: The demise of Melchizedek. The Midrash records that Shem functioned as kohen gadol (high priest) in that he taught Torah to the Patriarchs before it was publicly given at Mount Sinai, while the official title of High Priest was conferred upon Aaron after the erection of the Tabernacle . The Midrash quotes multiple aspects of both Melchizedek and Abram; the Rabbis taught that Melchizedek acted as

7020-425: The disciple of Rabbi Meir said in the latter's name that Tamar descended from Melchizedek (Genesis Rabbah 85:10). Rabbi Hana bar Bizna citing Rabbi Simeon Hasida identified Melchizedek as one of the four craftsmen of whom Zechariah wrote in Zechariah 2:3. (Babylonian Talmud Sukkah 52b; see also Song of Songs Rabbah 2:33 (crediting Rabbi Berekiah in the name of Rabbi Isaac).) The Talmud teaches that David wrote

7128-416: The doctrine of the Catholic Church, are priests inasmuch as they participate (CCC 1547) in the one priesthood of Christ according to the order of Melchizedek due to their ordination . In the Latter Day Saint movement , the Melchizedek priesthood is viewed as the priesthood authority of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus , as well as Old Testament prophets, higher than that of the Aaronic authority of John

7236-410: The end of history to establish the kingdom of God on earth as the expected Mahdi." In the theology of Ahmadiyya , the terms Messiah and Mahdi are synonymous terms for one and the same person. The term Mahdi means 'guided [by God]', thus implying a direct ordainment by God of a divinely chosen individual. According to Ahmadi thought, Messiahship is a phenomenon through which a special emphasis

7344-659: The falsehood embodied in al-Masih ad-Dajjal (the false Messiah), the great falsifier, a figure similar to the Antichrist in Christianity, who will emerge shortly before Yawm al-Qiyāmah ('the Day of Resurrection'). After he has destroyed ad-Dajjal, his final task will be to become leader of the Muslims. Isa will unify the Muslim Ummah (the followers of Islam) under the common purpose of worshipping God alone in pure Islam, thereby ending divisions and deviations by adherents. Mainstream Muslims believe that at that time, Isa will dispel Christian and Jewish claims about him. A hadith in Abu Dawud says: The Prophet said: There

7452-488: The former 6th Rebbe of Chabad Lubavitch, to be the Messiah. He published about Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn to be " Atzmus u'mehus alein vi er hat zich areingeshtalt in a guf " ( Yiddish and English for: "Essence and Existence [of God] which has placed itself in a body"). The gravesite of his deceased father-in-law Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, known as "the Ohel ", became a central point of focus for Menachem Mendel Schneerson's prayers and supplications. Regarding

7560-400: The founder of Sikhism was a Muslim saint, who was a reflection of the religious challenges he perceived to be occurring. Ghulam Ahmad wrote Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya , in 1880, which incorporated Indian, Sufi, Islamic and Western aspects in order to give life to Islam in the face of the British Raj , Protestant Christianity, and rising Hinduism. He later declared himself the Promised Messiah and

7668-424: The giver of the tithe to Melchizedek. The Rogatchover Gaon , also understanding Abram to be the tithe giver, comments that the presented tithe was not a standard tithe ( Maaser Rishon ) as described in the Torah (given on an annual basis), but was a one-time "tribute offering" ( trumat ha-mekhes , תרומת המכס ‎ ), such as Moses gave to God in Numbers 31:41. Expressing a kabbalistic point of view,

7776-637: The giver's possession, so that the whole verse might mean "He gave him a portion of food". Genesis 14:18 introduces Melchizedek, a "Priest of the Most High God" ( El Elyon ), a term which is re-used in Genesis 14:19–20 and Genesis 14:22. The term "Most High" is used another twenty times to refer to the God of Israel in the Psalms. Giorgio Levi Della Vida (1944) suspects that this is a late development, and Joseph Fitzmyer (1962) connects Genesis 14 with

7884-558: The identity of this imam. There are sources that underscore how the Shia sect agrees with the Jews and Christians that Imam Mehdi ( al-Mahdi ) is another name for Elijah, whose return prior to the arrival of the Messiah was prophesied in the Old Testament. The Imams and Fatima will have a direct impact on the judgements rendered that day, representing the ultimate intercession . There is debate on whether Shi'i Muslims should accept

7992-442: The king of Sodom , at which point: And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine: and he was [is] the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, 'Blessed be Abram to the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth, And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand'. And he gave him tithe from all. Some textual critics classify the narration as not being derived from any of

8100-463: The land of Canaan was initially allotted to Shem, by Noah his father, and the offspring of Cham conquered the land by forced expansion. Although Melchizedek is the first person in the Torah to be titled a Kohen (priest), the medrash records that he was preceded in priesthood ( kehuna ) by Adam . Rabbinic commentarians to the Torah explain that Melchizedek – (sometimes associated with Shem) –

8208-417: The last Imam will return again, with the return of Jesus. According to religious scholar Mona Siddiqui , "Shi'is are acutely aware of the existence everywhere of the twelfth Imam, who disappeared in 874." Shi'i piety teaches that the hidden Imam will return with Jesus Christ to set up the messianic kingdom before the final Judgement Day, when all humanity will stand before God. There is some controversy as to

8316-581: The meaning is different from that found in Christianity and Judaism : Though Islam shares many of the beliefs and characteristics of the two Semitic/Abrahamic/monotheistic religions which preceded it, the idea of messianism, which is of central importance in Judaism and Christianity, is alien to Islam as represented by the Qur'an. Unlike the Christian view of the Death of Jesus , Muslims believe Jesus

8424-403: The meeting location's size as "a plot the size of a king's Riis ". Midrashic exegesis describes how a large group of governors and kings convened in unison to pay homage to the victor Abram and desired to make him a deity , at which point he declined, attributing his victory to God's might and will alone. The chronological work Seder ha-Dorot (published 1769) quotes that Melchizedek

8532-530: The mention of a god called " Most High ," who may appear according to one of three possible translations of a 750 BC inscription found at Al-Safirah in Syria. Remi Lack (1962) considers that the Genesis verses were taken over by Jewish redactor(s), for whom El was already identified with YHWH, El-Elyon became an epithet for the God of Israel. Due to an ambiguity in the Hebrew text, it is unclear who gave tithe to whom: Abram to Melchizedek, or Melchizedek to Abram:

8640-404: The messiah comes. It is said that the messiah would come either when the world needs his coming the most (when the world is so sinful and in desperate need of saving by the messiah) or deserves it the most (when genuine goodness prevails in the world). A common modern rabbinic interpretation is that there is a potential messiah in every generation. The Talmud , which often uses stories to make

8748-661: The name of Abraham to that of God, such as in the Midrash Rabbah to Genesis, while some Jewish commentators, such as Chaim ibn Attar , write that Melchizedek gave the priesthood to Abraham willingly. Maimonides , in his Mishneh Torah , explains that Jacob separated his son Levi from his other sons and appointed him to instruct and teach the ways of "service to God", specifically the servicial methods used by his forefather Abraham , to his brothers. He also instructed his sons to perpetuate this status of Levi ("Shevet Levi") for eternity (Maimonides, Avodah Zorah 1:15). For

8856-739: The other, will appear with their hosts before Jerusalem, wage war against Messiah ben Joseph, and slay him. His corpse, according to one group, will lie unburied in the streets of Jerusalem; according to the other, it will be hidden by the angels with the bodies of the Patriarchs, until Messiah ben David comes and brings him back to life. Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (r. 1920–1950), sixth Rebbe (hereditary chassidic leader) of Chabad Lubavitch, and Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902–1994), seventh Rebbe of Chabad, are messiah claimants . As per Chabad-Lubavitch messianism , Menachem Mendel Schneerson openly declared his deceased father-in-law,

8964-429: The possessive suffix; the same passage interprets Melchizedek's title of king of Salem as translating to βασιλεὺς εἰρήνης 'king of peace', the context being the presentation of Melchizedek's as an eternal priesthood associated with Jesus Christ ( ἀφωμοιωμένος δὲ τῷ υἱῷ τοῦ θεοῦ μένει ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸ διηνεκές , 'made like unto the Son of God abideth a priest continually'). Hebrew-language Torah commentarians of

9072-512: The prelude of this choice see Targum Jonathan to Genesis 32:25, and/or Pirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer ch. 37. In midrash, it is written that Amram the son of Kohath the son of Levi was the spiritual leader of the sons of Jacob ("Israel") during their Egyptian Bondage. Following his death, his post was assumed by his son Aaron. At the time of the erection of the Tabernacle , the bible says that God commanded Moses to appoint Aaron and his sons to

9180-451: The priesthood ( Kehuna ) through Melchizedek's patrilineal descendants, but since Melchizedek preceded Abram's blessing to that of God, God instead chose to bring the priesthood ( kehuna ) forth from Abram's descendants. As the text states in regard to Melchizedek; "and he is a Kohen" ( והוא כהן ‎ ) meaning himself in the exclusive sense and not his patrilineal descendants. The Ohr HaChayim commentary presents that God

9288-403: The priesthood held by Melchizedek , who pre-dated the patriarch Levi by five generations (Melchizedek pre-dates Aaron by six generations; Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Levi, Kehoth, Amram, Aaron), was given in his stead to Abraham who, in turn, passed it on to his patrilineal descendants, Isaac and then to Jacob. Midrashic literature attributes this transition as a consequence due to Melchizedek preceding

9396-456: The primary character of psalm 110 as King David who was a "righteous king" ( מלכי צדק ) of Salem (Jerusalem) and, like Melchizedek, had certain priest-like responsibilities, while the Babylonian Talmud understands the chapter as referring to Abram who was victorious in battling to save his nephew Lot and merited priesthood. The Zohar defines the noted Melchizedek as referring to Ahron , High Priest of Israel . Christians believe that Jesus

9504-412: The proper name Zedek . With the addition of the hiriq compaginis ( -ī ) indicating the archaic construct form, malk-ī means 'king of', so that the name literally translates to 'king of righteousness' or 'my king is Zedek', indicating that he worshipped Zedek , a Canaanite deity worshipped in pre-Israelite Jerusalem. The latter, however, is often dismissed since Hebrews 7:2 gives

9612-785: The prophecy of Ps 110:4, that he would be a priest "after the order of Melchizedek" at the Last Supper , when he initiated the sacrifice of the New Covenant with his disciples — his body and blood under the appearances of bread and wine. Melchizedek and his offering are explicitly referenced as a foreshadowing of the Sacrifice of the Mass in the liturgical prayers of the Roman Canon of the Catholic Mass. Catholic priests, in

9720-465: The rest of the prophecies—that he will usher in a Messianic Age and the world to come —will be fulfilled at his Second Coming . Some Christian denominations, such as Catholicism , instead believe in amillenialist theology, but the Catholic Church has not adopted this term. The majority of historical and mainline Christian theologies consider Jesus to be the Son of God and God the Son ,

9828-482: The site intended for the Temple, and thus the " שלמו ‎ " text serves an obvious sectarian purpose. However, this practice is not solely associated with the Samaritans: the possessive suffix is also found in the 3rd- or 2nd-century BC Book of Jubilees , and Greek possessive suffixes are even used in the Septuagint version of Genesis. With respect to Genesis 14:20, Hebrews chapter 7 verses 2 and 4 in

9936-461: The soul of Abram for his benefit. The letter he is the letter God added to Abram's name to become "Abra-ha-m" in Genesis. Messiah In Abrahamic religions , a messiah or messias ( Hebrew : מָשִׁיחַ , romanized :  māšīaḥ ; Greek : μεσσίας , messías ; Arabic : مسيح , masīḥ ; lit.   ' anointed one ' ) is a saviour or liberator of a group of people. The concepts of mashiach , messianism , and of

10044-401: The story of Melchizedek is an informal insertion into the Genesis narration, possibly inserted in order to give validity to the priesthood and titles connected with the Second Temple . It has also been conjectured that the suffix "- zedek " may have been or become a reference to a Canaanite deity worshipped in pre-Israelite Jerusalem. In the majority of Masoretic Hebrew texts the name

10152-422: The translation of the name Melchizedek as "king of righteousness", although Robert R. Cargill has recently argued in favour of that etymology. Mainstream scholarly understanding of these names ("My King is Righteousness" and "My Lord is Righteousness" respectively) is that they refer to the concept of righteousness and not to a god. The name is formed in parallel with Adoni-ṣedeq אדני־צדק ‎ , also

10260-401: The usual pentateuchal sources. It has been speculated that verses 18–20 (in which Melchizedek appears) are an informal insertion into the narration, as they interrupt the account of the meeting of Abraham with the king of Sodom. There is no consensus on when or why the story might have been added. It may have been inserted in order to give validity to the priesthood and tithes connected with

10368-457: The verse in question states simply, "And [he] gave him tithe from all" ( v-yiten-lo ma'aser mekol , ויתן לו מעשר מכל ‎ ). Most translations of this verse preserve the ambiguity, "he gave to him", but some modern translations make explicit the mainstream interpretation of Abram being the giver and Melchizedek the recipient. Targum Pseudo-Jonathan , the Book of Jubilees , Josephus , Philo of Alexandria , and Rashi all read Abram as

10476-482: Was Melchizedek/Shem's allocated residence by his father Noah or whether he was a foreigner in Salem which was considered the rightful land of his brother Cham . The Ramban is of the opinion that the land was rightfully owned and governed by the offspring of Cham , and explains that Melchizedek/Shem left his home country and came to Salem as a foreigner wishing to serve God as a Kohen . However, Rashi maintains that

10584-425: Was a type of Christ, and some other Christians hold that Melchizedek indeed was Christ. Reasons provided include that Melchizedek's name means "king of righteousness" according to the author of Hebrews, and that being king of Salem makes Melchizedek the "king of peace". Heb. 7:3 states, "Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he (Melchizedek) remains

10692-465: Was born of a virgin, Sofonim (or Sopanima), the wife of Nir, a brother of Noah . The child came out from his mother after she had died and sat on the bed beside her corpse, already physically developed, clothed, speaking and blessing the Lord, and marked with the badge of priesthood. Forty days later, Melchizedek was taken by the archangel Gabriel ( Michael in some manuscripts) to the Garden of Eden and

10800-449: Was given the priesthood (Hebrew: kehuna ) by receipt of his father Noah's blessing "G-d beatified Yefeth and will dwell in the house of Shem "; i.e., he will merit to serve and host God as a Kohen . Torah Laws require that the Kohen (priest) must be a patrilineal descendant of a prior Kohen . Leviticus Rabbah maintains that God intended to permanently bring forth

10908-434: Was not angered by Melchizedek's preceding Abram's blessing to that of God, since Abram was rightfully deemed worthy of precedence for independently coming to recognize God amidst a world of Paganism , but Melchizedek willingly gave the priesthood to Abram upon recognizing his outstanding uniqueness and godly character traits. Rabbinic authorities differ as to whether kehuna was given to Abram there and then or after

11016-478: Was only made to appear so. According to religious scholar Mahmoud Ayoub , "Jesus' close proximity or nearness (qurb) to God is affirmed in the Qur'anic insistence that Jesus did not die, but was taken up to God and remains with God." While the Quran does not state that he will come back, Islamic tradition nevertheless believes that Jesus, preceded closely by al-Mahdi , will return at the end of times , and exercise his power of healing. He will forever destroy

11124-503: Was ordained. Alternatively, it is suggested this term was here intended to be treated as an agglutinated improper noun, and thus translated as rightful king rather than left as a proper name Melchizedek ; this interpretation is taken by some modern translations, such as the New JPS Tanakh . The Law of Moses stipulates that only the male descendants of Aaron be commissioned to serve as Kohenim priests before Yahweh and

11232-534: Was raised to Heaven without being put on the cross and God created a resemblance to appear exactly like Jesus who was crucified instead of Jesus, and he ascended bodily to Heaven, there to remain until his Second Coming in the End days . The Quran states that Jesus ( Isa ), the son of Maryam ( Isa ibn Maryam ), is the messiah ( al-masih ) and prophet sent to the Children of Israel . According to Qadi al-Nu'man ,

11340-770: Was the first to initiate and complete a wall in circumference of the city, and had to exit Salem to reach Abram and his men. Upon exiting Salem, he presented to them "bread and wine" with the intent to refresh them from their journey. Assuming the premise that Melchizedek was Shem , he would have been 465 years old at the time and Abram was 75 years of age. Chazalic literature unanimously identify Melchizedek as Shem son of Noah ( Targum Yonathan to Genesis chapter 14, Genesis Rabbah 46:7, Babylonian Talmud to Tractate Nedarim 32b). The Talmud Bavli attributes him (Shem and his beth din court of justice) as pioneers in banning prostitution (Avodah Zarah p.   36a). There is, however, disagreement amongst Rishonim as to whether Salem

11448-664: Was thus preserved from the Deluge without having to be in Noah's Ark . The Story of Melchizedek is a short pseudepigraphon composed in Greek in the first three centuries AD, probably in a Jewish milieu. It survives today only in Christian recensions, but in at least ten languages. 11Q13 (11QMelch) is a fragment of a text, dated to the end of the second or start of the first century BC, about Melchizedek, found in Cave 11 at Qumran in

11556-615: Was to represent all previous prophets. Numerous hadith are presented by the Ahmadis in support of their view, such as one from Sunan Ibn Majah , which says, "There is No Mahdi other than Jesus son of Mary." Ahmadis believe that the prophecies concerning the Mahdi and the second coming of Jesus have been fulfilled in Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835–1908), the founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement. Unlike mainstream Muslims,

11664-499: Was used as a name of the Archangel Michael , interpreted as a heavenly priest; Michael as Melchi-zedek contrast with Belial , who is given the name of Melchi-resha 'king of wickedness'. The text of the Epistle to the Hebrews follows this interpretation in stating explicitly that the name in Greek translation ( ἑρμηνευόμενος ) means βασιλεὺς δικαιοσύνης ('king of righteousness'), omitting translation of

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