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All we know for sure of who Malki-tsedeq was is what is in scripture anything else is speculation. Originally Posted by: Ba'  18-20And Malki-tsedeq (malki-tsedeq – King of righteousness, from malak king, and tsedeq righteousness, vindication, justice, uprightness, that which is in accordance with the standard) King (malak – governmental head of a kingdom, often in ancient government the king embodied political, social, religious, and military authority) of Salem (shalem – salvation, that which completes and finishes, rendering the payment in full; that which brings peace, prosperity, and well-being; that which represents a voluntary sacrifice to requite so as to repay the debt, returning and reestablishing the alliance of friendship; that which perfects and makes whole, rendering the beneficiary unharmed and at peace; that which provides compensation, recompensing damage incurred; that which restores, makes amends, and reinstitutes the fellowship) brought forth (yatsa’ - delivered and produced) bread (lechem) and wine (yayin - naturally processed, fermented grape juice, in excess amounts can cause drunkenness), and he was a Kohen (kohen – priest, cleric or minister) to God Most High (el-elyon - a title for the true God with a focus on him being supreme, and shows high status), and blessed him (barak - knelt down to greet him and lift him up), saying (‘amar), ‘Blessed (barak) be ‘Abram, to God Most High (el-elyon - a title for the true God with a focus on him being supreme, and shows high status), creator (qanah – on who brought forth, as in giving birth, one who owns, one who has purchased, posses and has acquired) of the spiritual world (samayim - the heavens, and the abode of stars) and the material realm (`erets - matter, the physical and natural world). And Blessed (barak) be God Most High (el-elyon - a title for the true God with a focus on him being supreme, and shows high status) who relationally (asher) delivered (magan – handed over, bestowed, and presented) your enemies (tsar – foes, adversaries, and opponents) into your hands (yad - a metaphor for individual power, control, care, capacity, and strength), and give (nathan – set, commit, entrust, deliver, and bestow in a healthy and enduring fashion) to Him a tenth (maasrah - the setting aside a tenth of goods or money given as a gift or offering) from all (kol).’ The only other mention being in Psalm 110, where there is a debate as to rather malki-tsedeq is a title or a name. In the Ba'reshiyth verse I think it is clear that it is a name, as it is followed by the title Malak. If it where a title it would be equivalent of saying Governor, President of America, Priest of the Catholic Church all in a row and never attributing those titles to anyone. I see no reason to believe that it's use here is as anything other than a name. As for the link to Shem, outside of rabbinic sources I see no evidence of this. It is talked of in the Talmud, but I put as much stock in that as I do Dianetics. And from what I gather the Book of Jasher is of Rabbinic origin as well, the oldest reference we have to it dates to 1565 C.E. And the oldest manuscript to about a century later. So I wouldn't put much stock in it either. I think that if Shem where Malki-tsdeq that there would be some reference to it at some point in Scripture. I would say that who he is is irrelevant. If it where relevant then we would have been told. |
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