NOTE:
This post has been withdrawn. The post has been published in my book, Rereading the Biblical Text: Searching for Meaning and Understanding. The approach taken in the book is to compare how different translations have approached difficult texts in the Old Testament. The goal of the book is to invite readers to reread the biblical text in light of the new understanding of the intent of the original writer of the text. You can order the book from Amazon.
Rereading the Biblical Text
Visit my Amazon author’s page to purchase the book (click here).
Claude Mariottini
Emeritus Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary
A Note About This Post:
Before “Jesus: A High Priest After the Order of Melchizedek” was withdrawn for publication, “Jesus: A High Priest After the Order of Melchizedek” was read by 1218 readers. “Melchizedek and Jesus” was also shared 8 times by readers who enjoyed reading the post. You can read “Jesus: A High Priest After the Order of Melchizedek” and other articles on problems in Bible translation by reading my book Rereading the Biblical Text: Searching for Meaning and Understanding. Below is the content of the book:
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments – Page xi
Abbreviations – Page xii
Introduction – Page xv
SECTION 1 — THE PENTATEUCH
Chapter 1. The Creation of Animals in Genesis 2:19 – Page 3
Chapter 2. The Serpent Was Right (Genesis 3) – Page 7
Chapter 3. The Seed of the Woman (Genesis 3:15) – Page 11
Chapter 4. Were They Really Giants? (Genesis 6:4) – Page 17
Chapter 5. “As Far as Dan” (Gen 14:14) – Page 20
Chapter 6. Abraham and the Promises of God – Page (Genesis 12:7) – Page 23
Chapter 7. The Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22:8) – Page 26
Chapter 8. The Rape of Bilhah (Genesis 35:22) – Page 29
Chapter 9. Miriam, a Leader in Israel (Exodus 15:20) – Page 32
Chapter 10. Azazel (Leviticus 16:8-10) – Page 35
Chapter 11. Understanding Numbers 24:24 – Page 38
SECTION 2 — THE HISTORICAL BOOKS
Chapter 12. The Levite and His Concubine (Judges 19:1–30) – Page 43
Chapter 13. The Sacrifice of Jephthah’s Daughter (Judges 10:6–12:7) – Page 47
Chapter 14. The Fate of Jephthah’s Daughter (Judges 10:6–12:7) – Page 4750
Chapter 15. The Virginity of Jephthah’s Daughter (Judges 10:6–12:7) – Page 54
Chapter 16. Who Went Back to the City? (Ruth 3:15) – Page 59
Chapter 17. Was Ruth Barren? (Ruth 4:13) – Page 59
Chapter 18. King Saul: Little in His Own Eyes (1 Samuel 15:17) – Page 63
Chapter 19. How Old Was Saul? (1 Samuel 13:1) – Page 64
Chapter 20. David and Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4) – Page 67
Chapter 21. David’s Sons Were Priests ((2 Samuel 8:18) – Page 70
Chapter 22. “Him that Pisseth against the Wall” (1 Samuel 25:22) – Page 72
Chapter 23. Whose Cloak Did Ahijah Tear? (1Kinga 11:4–7) – Page 78
Chapter 24. The Challenges of Parenthood (2 Kinga 21:25–26) – Page 82
SECTION 3 — THE WISDOM AND POETICAL BOOKS
Chapter 25. Psalm 8:5: In Search of a Better Translation – Page 87
Chapter 26. Understanding Psalm 17:14 – Page 90
Chapter 27. Jezebel’s Wedding Song (Psalm 45:1–17) – Page 93
Chapter 28. Psalm 100:3: In Search of a Better Translation – Page 99
Chapter 29. Sons or Children? (Psalm 127:3-5) – Page 103
Chapter 30. Proverbs 29:18 – Page 106
Chapter 31. “Black and Beautiful” or “Black but Beautiful”? (Song of Songs 1:5) – Page 108
SECTION 4 — THE PROPHETICAL BOOKS
Chapter 32. The Use of Gender Inclusive Language (Isaiah 9:1) – Page 115
Chapter 33. “You Have Increased Their Joy” (Isaiah 9:3) – Page 118
Chapter 34. Who Will the Messiah Strike? (Isaiah 11:4) – Page 120
Chapter 35. The Way of the Lord (Isaiah 40:3) – Page 122
Chapter 36. “All Their Goodliness” (Isa 40:6) – Page 126
Chapter 37. The Proclaimer of Good News (Isaiah 40:9) – Page 129
Chapter 38. The Problem of Divorce in the Old Testament (Isaiah 50:1) – Page 132
Chapter 39. Beulah Land (Isaiah 62:4) – Page 135
Chapter 40. The Balm of Gilead (Jeremiah 8:22) – Page 138
Chapter 41. The Mother of Seven (Jeremiah 15:9) – Page 142
Chapter 42. The Coming of the Messiah (Daniel 9:25–27) – Page 144
Chapter 43. The Seventy Weeks of Daniel (Daniel 9:25–27) – Page 148
Chapter 44. The Knowledge of God (Hosea 4:1) – Page 152
Chapter 45. The Word “Hesed” in the Book of Hosea (Hosea 4:1) – Page 154
Chapter 46. The Word “Justice” in Amos (Amos 5:24) – Page 157
Chapter 47. “What the Lord Requires” (Micah 6:8) – Page 160
Bibliography – Page 165
Index of Subjects – Page 169
Index of Authors – Page 171
Index of Scriptures and Other Ancient Documents – Page 173
Claude Mariottini
Emeritus Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary
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Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament 
>Professor,You should include the fact that LDS (Mormons) are the only christian church in the present days that claim to have received the Melchizedek priesthood from messengers from above. Something to think about.Forte abraço.
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A Jewish Rabbi told me that Melchizedek is so amazing it seems mythical .. I told him there is no searching of THE LORD GOD . Our human finite minds can only look to the heavens, ,ie.stars planets, seasons,Sun and planetary movements, and determine GOD’S patterns of his intelligent design. Isaiah 40th chapter.
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>Julio,This view, taught by the Mormon church, is difficult to accept. If David and his family became priests because they continued the tradition established by the king-priest of Canaanite Jerusalem, how can the Mormons claim they received the priesthood from Melchizedek if they are not from the family of David?Thank you for visiting my blog and for your comment.
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>Since you are reading Hebrews as saying that the connection between Melchizedek and Jesus is mediated through David, could this designation have any messianic undertones? And do you know if there are messianic readings of Melchizedek in Jewish sources (such as the DSS, Tgs, etc)?Thanks,Matt<
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>Matthew,Melchizedek appears in Philo, Josephus, and other Jewish writings. He also appears at Qumran. A fragment designated 11QMelch makes allusions to Melchizedek. If you are interested in pursuing this topic, I recommend that you consult the article “Melchizedek (Person)” by Michael C. Astour in The Anchor Bible Dictionary 4:684-686 and the article “Melchizedek (11QMelch)” by George J. Brooke in The Anchor Bible Dictionary 4:687-688.Again, thank you for your comment.Claude Mariottini
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>Dear Dr. Mariottini,Thank you so much for delineating the substance of the statement that Christ is a high priest “after the order of Melchizedek.” It had never occurred to me that, because the high priest had to be a Levite descended from Aaron, Jesus — a descendant of David from the tribe of Judah — could not be legitimately presented as a high priest by any other means. In retrospect, where verse 3 says, “Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever,” it seems abundantly obvious that the intent of the writer is to provide a valid basis for claiming the high-priesthood of Christ.Sincerely,Andy SturtMy Blog
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>Wow. This is something I’d never thought of before. Thanks for the article.And to show that I really paid attention: your reference in the penultimate paragraph should be to Ps. 110:4.Peace.
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>Andy,Thank you for your comment. I apologize for the delay in responding to what you wrote. I agree with you that the writer of Hebrews was trying to explain how Jesus could be a priest without being a Levite. You are not alone: many people do not ask the question about Jesus’ priesthood. When they do, they must find a justification for the fact that Jesus performed the work of a priest. The writer of Hebrews provides a good justification for Jesus’ work.Thank you for visiting my blog.Claude Mariottini
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>Milton,Thank you for your comment and your correction. You are right: the reference is to Psalm 110:4. I will make the change.By the way, are you available to work as my editor? Claude Mariottini
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>Claude Mariottini,I’m a student at a Bible College in Kansas City and I’m working on a paper about Jesus being our sympathizing high priest. I came across your blog and I just want to say…it was sooooo helpful, so clarifying!! It brought so much more clarity into understanding what it means in saying that Jesus is a high priest in the order of Melchizedek and how it’s even possible. Going through the line of David made it so much more understandable. Oh and it makes me love and trust Jesus more…he has fulfilled EVERY prophetic promise and he’s coming back to reign as king of Israel. I LOVE how it not only establishes him as high priest forever, but also as king!!! Thank you for sharing-it was so clear. You must be a great prof. May the Lord continue to give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him (Eph. 1:17) and the ability to teach with clarity!! Bless you!
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>Sorry…I forgot to sign my name in the last post…I’m Stephanie, by the way!! 🙂
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>Stephanie,Thank you for visiting my blog. I am glad that my post on Jesus and Melchizedek was helpful to you in the preparation of your paper. The Old Testament has much to teach Christians about the truths taught in the New Testament. I hope you do well in your paper.Visit my blog again and when you do, leave a comment.Claude Mariottini
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>I just wanted to supplement Julio’s comment above. He talked about the Mormons having the Priesthood of Melchizedek. You answered: how can the Mormons claim they received the priesthood from Melchizedek if they are not from the family of David?I believe you answered this in your post where you talk about the Royal Priesthood. Didn’t Peter say that the whole Church was to be considered part of this Royal Priesthood, which was, in fact, the Melchizedek Priesthood. This would seem to mean that church members from all families and lineages could now participate in the Melchizedek Priesthood. Mormons believe that instead of passing it from father to son, Jesus passed on the Melchizedek Priesthood to his Apostles, who passed it into the Church. Joseph Smith claimed to receive this priesthood through a visitation from Peter, James, and John.I would be interested in your opinion on this.
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>Professor,Are you aware of a trend nowadays of some church leaders being referred to as high priest by some of those in their heirarchy?Is this in any way compatible with our classic Christian understanding that there is only one high priest in the church… Jesus Christ? I don’t think so but I’d like to hear your view.Femi
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>Femi,There is no reason for anyone to call himself “a high priest.” Those who do so, do so without any biblical authority. The function of the high priest in the Old Testament was very specific and no one today fulfills that function.The New Testament teaches that Jesus is our High Priest and only Jesus can make atonement for our sins.Claude Mariottini
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>Hi, great post. One thought that came up for me is that one might say that it was the Levitical high priest who sacrificed Jesus, as he demanded his death and Pilate washed his hands and all, while Jesus allowed it, but not necessarily as the priestly sacrificer. This would be odd, as it’s not in the temple, but has that line of thought been raised before, and what are yours on it? Thanks,Chris
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>There is a young woman who claims to be a former Christian and who calls Jesus a blasphemer etc. She is very confused about the whole Melchizedek/Jesus connection, and needs someone to discuss it with her. I wish I knew more about it, but maybe someone here does and can speak to her in depth. Her address is http://www.youtube.com/gbjew Tnaks
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>Matthew,I watched the video in which the young woman talks about Christianity and Judaism. There are several things she may not know about Christianity that needs to be clarified.However, my blog is not designed for this kind of apologetic. Maybe you should visit the web page of Jews for Jesus because they specialize in presenting a Messianic understanding of Judaism.Thank you for visiting my blog.Claude Mariottini
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>Hi Professorthanks so much for your work.do you think there is any connection between us as Christians being part of a royal priesthood, that we are to be a nation of priests that bless and interceedlove to learn your thoughtsruss
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>Russ,This is precisely the mission of every Christian. As a nation of priests, we are to minister and intercede for those who do not know Christ. The priesthood of the believer means that we must offer sacrifices of praises to God.Claude Mariottini
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>Hi, are comments / questions still open for this post?peer
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>Hi, are comments / questions still open for this post?peer
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>Rob,Thank you for visiting my blog.Yes, you still can make comments to any of my posts.Claude Mariottini
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>I have heard it said that on the day of atonement when the High Priest went into the Most Holy of Holy to offer up the sacrifice if any sin be found in him he died and did not come back out alive. And a rope was tied to the High Priest just in case to drag him him out. If so where are the supporting scriptures found. Thank You John
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>Dear John,The story about the rope tied to the high priest’s waste or around his ankle before entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement is a legend. This information is not found in the Bible nor in any Hebrew document.The ceremony about the Day of Atonement is described in Leviticus 16. Leviticus 16:3-4 describes what the high priest was to wear: “This is how Aaron is to enter the sanctuary area: with a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on.”I hope this information will help you. Thank you for visiting my blog.Claude Mariottini
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>Dr. Mariottini,Thanks for your article. I have a question of a similar topic. I was reading in 2 Samuel Ch 6 of David doing the burnt offerings in front of the Ark of the Covenant. It ocurred to me that he is not a Levite and then it also ocurred to me that Saul had also performed a sacrifice in 1 Samual 13 and he was not a Levite either. Saul got rejected as king by God for his lack of faith in not waiting for Samuel. But David's sacrifice got fully accepted. I'm thinking because he acted on faith to do the sacrifice. But I'm wondering: Did he have any right by what we know as scripture to make such an offering?
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>I believe that there should be a slight rewording in several places in the blog as well as in the comments. Melchizedek was not A priest of the most high God. Neither is Jesus A high priest. In his time, Melchizedek was THE priest of the most high God. Today and forever, Jesus is THE high priest of God. We, His believers, are royal priests underneath His leadership.Blessings,Bill Cribbs
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>Bill,Thank you for your comment and for visiting my blog.There is a problem with what you are saying. The God of Melchizedek was El Elyon, a pagan God worshiped by the Canaanites.Come back again to my blog at the end of August and I will explain who El Elyon was.Claude Mariottini
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>Bob,Thank you for your comment and for visiting my blog.David made a sacrifice because when he became king of Jerusalem, he also became a priest in the same way Melchizedek was a priest. It seems that most of the kings in Jerusalem offered sacrifice until the days of King Josiah when the practice was abolished.Claude Mariottini
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>Hi Dr. Mariottini,I don't subscribe to the idea that El Elyon is a pagaon god. In Hebrews 7:1, Melchizedek is described as being priest of the "most high God". In Gen. 14:18-19, he identified Abraham as "Abram of the most high God". They are both identified with the same God. We know who Abraham served.If there was also a pagan deity which was called by that name, it is inapplicable to Melchizedek and Abraham.I respectfully disagree.Bill Cribbs
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>Jesus is/was Melchizedek "King of Righteousness" without Father or Mother., back then HE was the "WORD" "The Logos" who became Jesus Christ son of God and son of Men divested and made lower than the angels why all the confusion? no human could be labeled "King of Righteousness"
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>Jesus is not the same person as Melchizedek. Melchizedek was not the "King of Righteousness". That was just the meaning of his name. He was a Gentile king who preceded the Jewish tribes by centuries and was, by providence of the Holy Spirit's inspiration, documented to be a TYPE of that which was to come. Jesus, the antitype, is the ONLY incarnation of God in the world. To say that Melchizedek WAS Jesus is an assumption. Truth cannot be based upon assumption alone.
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>As Christians we tend to through much study miss the point that as God said in Isaiah the birth of Immanuel (Christ?) is a sign – We are the main event. Just a puzzle – Melchizedek was without Father and Mother, Christ with a mother but no earthly father, the one to come – with earthly father & mother? Read Revelation Chaps 2 & 3 – The One who overcomes? Just think of this. The dominion is ours but Adam lost it. It is to be restored to us. Read Gen 49:10 & also 'God ruleth in the Kingdom of men and He gives it to whomsoever he willeth' and also 'when the Son of man cometh shall he find faith on the earth? THINK – The message is for 'babes'
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>It doesn't say in Genesis that Melchizedek doesn't have a father and mother. In Hebrews it mentions that he is listed without ancestry so as to be a TYPE of Christ, our High Priest. A priest under the law had to be under the Levitical ancestry. Melchizedek HAD parents, but they aren't recorded…THIS is what makes him a prophetic portrait of the High Priest to come, namely Jesus.I disagree that WE are the "main event". Jesus, and Him alone, will always be the main event. He has the "name that is above every name". The Holy Spirit bears witness of HIM. The Father bears witness of HIM. His miracles do…His words do…creation does.We, the Church, get to be the Bride of Him, but He will always be pre-eminent in history, past, present, and future.
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>Mormons Melchizedek Priesthood is not perfected because the city in the mountain mentioned by Jesus Christ is the salt of the world for the end days. Melchizedek deepness is saving the unseen world the fallen angels bringing them back asn angels of the sky. The Immaculate Conception of Blessed Virgin Mary will have a great impact when the CROSS OF SALVATION BOTH FOR SEEN AND UNSEEN when known to the world, M…PLEASE DISCOVER THE HILL OF PAGA IN SAN ENRIQUE ILO-ILO PHILIPPINES… FERDINAND MAGELLAN PLAYS A SIGNIFICANT ROLE FOR MAKING PHILIPPINES AS THE STAR OF THE EAST FOR THE END TIMESREV. JONI SALCEDO, A MELCHIZEDEK PRIEST…. YOU CAN REACH ME IN MY YAHOO AS skydive underscore 28
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>REV. JONI SALCEDO, it never ceases to amaze me the various shades of confusion that religion takes around the world. I have never heard of this perspective and it blows my mind how anyone can derive this kind of thing from the Scriptures. It is IMPORTANT and IMPERATIVE that you stick with the Bible as contained within the 66 canonical books, preferably translated from the Textus Receptus and Masoretic Text. These "additions" to scripture are destructive and deceptive to say the least!
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>I was researching information on the history of royal sashes, and came upon this blog. Wow! I have always enjoyed the challenges of reading and coming to clearer understanding of the Old Testament. Often I wonder how much better we would live our Christian lives if we actually understood the history behind the OT and the people that lived during those times. Do you know of any specific spiritual significance related to sashes in God's Word?+Katrina
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>Can energy be destroyed? Can energy be created? No, it can ONLY be transformed. Melchizedek to Christ Jesus is a form of communication. How it happen is not the point. The Holy Spirit was not a dove, but He come down LIKE a dove. John witness one how looked LIKE the son of man…listen
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>Okay no one has mentioned this part: Was our subject "Melchizedek" ordered as in commanded to do the task or is the phrased order meaning as a group or sect or type of…I have heard both sides talked about so what is the scripture to support either side of the coin here?
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>Dear Anonymous,No one ordered Melchizedek to do anything. Read the biblical text again.Claude Mariottini
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>What about what happened to Uzziah when he attempted to go in and offer incense before the LORD?
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His article is very good and confirms what I have always said, but also, the order of Melchizedek was given from Father to Eldest Son, as Sem had a long life, he continued with the leadership of the two offices, as a priest and as King, he was the oldest. King David also made the two offices, because he also made a sacrifice for his disobedience with the census, in the land of Jebuceo that bought him and then the Temple was built there. Yeshua as David’s son, had both offices. King for the Davinica line but priest for Melchizedek, this order was applied in the past and before the Levitical priesthood. My English is very bad, I hope it is understood.
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Alicia,
Thank you for your comment. I think you misunderstood what I wrote. You wrote, “the order of Melchizedek was given from Father to Eldest Son, as Sem had a long life.” Melchizedek has nothing to do with Shem. Melchizedek was king of Jerusalem and David inherited his duties after he conquered the city of Jerusalem.
Your English is very good.
Claude Mariottini
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