Let's jump right into this!
Starting with, some historical things that lead into the story of Melchizedek meeting with Abraham~
Genesis 14, tells of a war between, 4 Kings, and 5 Kings, and then some…….
5 Kingdoms: Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar, want to throw of the yoke of 1 of the 4 opposing Kings, Chedor-Laomer.
Of these 5 Kingdoms, all are Caananite.
Chedor-Laomer means, “Handful of Sheaves,” which is quite fitting, when we read he had the 5 Kingdoms, under his yoke.
The 3 Kings, and Kingdoms siding with Chedor-Laomer, were:
- Amraphel (“Keeper of the Elohim”) Shinar (Nimrod’s land/Cush)
- Arioch (“Long, Great, Tall”) Ellasar/(“Revolting from El”) (lower Babylonia/Chaldea)
- Tidal (“Fearfulness”) Goiim (“Nations”).
Chedor-Laomer, was the King of Elam.
Basically, the 4 Kings went out on a rampage.
They defeated the:
- Rephaim (”A Terrible One”) at: Ashteroth-Carnaim (”Temple of Ashteroth”) 25 miles south of Damascus
- Emim (”Fearful Ones”) at: Kiriathaim (”Two Horns/City’s”), same area as Ashteroth-Canaim
- Zuzim (“Wrestless/Roaming”) at: Ham (”Burnt”), east of the Jordan
- Horites (“Cave Dwellers/Burnt?”) at: Seir (”Hairy, Shaggy”), east of Araba-Edom.
Question is, who are the good guys, and whom the bad?
We have a lot of Nephilim involved, as well as Ham’s cursed line (“his brother’s meanest slave” Genesis 9:25-27).
The real odd-ball here, is Chedor-Laomer is an ELAMITE= CLAN OF SHEM (Deuteronomy 10:22).
After this, the 4 Kings conquered the territories, of the: Amalekites/”Lickers”?, and the Amorites/”to Speak”, at the “Spring of Judgment” also known as, Kadesh/”Holy”.
Then, this Shemite, and the gang, moved on to the 5, who wanted to throw off his yoke. As already mentioned, these Kingdoms are all Canaanites. The 5 were coming into attack, (after the 4 should have been wore out!)
They are:
- Bera (”Gift”) –Sodom (”to Scorch”)
- Birsha (”With Wickedness”)- Gomorrah (”Rebellion”)
- Shinab (”Splendor of the Father”)- Admah (”Red Earth”)
- Shemeber (”Lofty, Flight”)- Zeboiim (”Gazelles”)
- Zoar (”Little”)- Bela (”El is my Father”)
It is interesting, that these Kingdoms that are pursuing, and living in Canaanite lands, have for the most part, lovely names.
So what happened when the 5 oppressed, went to charge the 1 King, with his 3 allies?
In the Valley of Siddim (”Division”?) aka, Salt Sea, there were (and still is!), tar pits. The armies of Sodom, and Gomorrah fell into them! The other 3 armies, ran away in fear. That would be pretty awful to see, to say the least!
Next, the 4 Kings went, and took the spoils left, from Sodom and Gomorrah.
There was one thing, these Kings should not of messed with……Lot (“Veil/Covering”), for Lot is also, a SHEMITE!
Lot’s father is, Haran (“Parched”), who is the brother of Abram (“High Father”)
Haran, and Abrams father is, Terah (“Spirited/Wild Goat/Wanderer”?)
8 lines of fathers back tracking, you come to Shem (“Name”), the son of Noah (“Rest”) (Genesis 11:10-26)
So Lot and Abram, are just branching out, from the same branch going back, 10 fathers.
But Chedor-Laomer, is also a Shemite, but of Elam (“Eternity/Secret”?).
Elam is one of Shem’s sons.
Elam had 5 recorded sons. (See Genesis 10:22-23)
Long story short, Noah’s blessed son, Shem, had 5 sons, and 2 of the son’s line, are in this story.
Just a note: the time between these men’s birth, and Abrams time, is nearly 300 years!
After Chedor-Laomer takes Lot, and his family, and possessions, Abram hears about it. Up until this point, he isn’t even involved in all of this waring, but rather seeming quite peaceful, chilling at the Oak of Mamre (“Fatness/Strength”).
Abram quickly obtains some allies (translation is sketchy, as to order of words): Aner (“A Man”), Eshtol (“Cluster”), and Aner (“Boy”). The word “Hebrew” (Crossed Over”) is also there, and this word is believed to be from Eber (“Pass through”)
Just a note, Eber is ALSO one of Shem’s 5 sons.
The son of Shem, attached to Eber, is Arpachshad (“Boundary of the Chaldeans”?)
Awesome as it is, Abram and his allies gather up only 318 retainers born, of his own household. That is barely anything, when you consider what they are going up against!
They gave chase, and defeated them, “under cover of dark”, which can be a play on the word, “Lot”.
Scripture does not tell us, anything after this story, of Chedor-Laomer. We do not know if he lived on after this, or died.
Now, let’s get into the Melchizedek part of this story.
What is up with this guy, just showing up out of nowhere?
Who is he?
If you chart Genesis 11’s birth, and death information, you will see something that isn’t really mentioned directly.
Shem, Arpachshad, Selah, Eber, Peleg, Rue, Serug, Serug, Nahor, and Terah, were all still alive during Abrams life, before he had any children.
It is clearly acceptable that many believe, Melchizedek (“King of Righteousness”), is one of these men. After all, they all come from Shem, who received the blessing from Noah, (Genesis 9:26-27). Up until Abram, there is no other recorded, special blessing on anyone.
Shem is candidate, because he received a special blessing from Noah.
Shem is also mentioned, in the book of Jasher, as being the Melchizedek.
One major issue with this, is there is NO EVIDENCE EVER PRODUCED, that the current books of Jasher are legit!
There is the Pseudo version, and the Midrash version. Both have nothing to show as to where they came up with the stories, around 400 years ago.
This is a complete bummer for me personally, because I really like that book. Now that I know, these versions simply manifested out of nothing, they cannot be 100% trusted. The events recorded in it, are as old as Genesis, which is thousands of years prior to these versions.
Although true, The Book of the Just, or Jasher, exists/ted, it has not been uncovered, at any time in our recorded history. We do not know if we will ever find an original, or one old enough to accept as legit.
Shem, truly is a good candidate, regardless.
Arpachshad is the first recorded birth from Shem, after the flood.
Maybe it is him.
Eber is the line, leading up into what we now call, “Hebrews”, which seems a high honour.
Maybe it is him.
Peleg was born, at the time the land started to separate. Things became more divided.
Maybe it was him.
But there is one more candidate, who I did not mention.
There was someone else alive, during this time when Abram met with, the Melchizedek.
We will look at this person in Part 3.
I will share my reasons, for believing that this one, is the one, that shines above the rest!
Welcome to Part 3~
Up to this point, many names, and places have been addressed.
Now, I would like to FINALLY share my opinion, that the Melchizedek, was none other than Noah.
Please, I would never force this opinion, on anyone. But I DO hope, you can read this out, and understand why I came to the conclusion. The only people I can honestly see in opposition to this view, is those who consider the Book of Jasher, legit. (See part 2, for reasons of non-legitimacy.)
There will be a teaching on this study at NGA, next Sabbath.
Let’s begin!
When Noah (“Rest”) is born, we are told a prophecy from his father, Lamech (“Poor, made low”).
Genesis 5:29 “Here is the one who will give us, in the midst of our toil, and the laboring of our hands, a consolation out of the very soil that Yahweh cursed.”
(Note: Just a reminder, the curse of the soil was from the Fall of Adam. It was to produce, brambles and thistles! I wonder what that was like, for over 1,500 years! That was the time between Adam, and the Flood!)
A bit later, we read in Genesis 6:8-9 “But Noah won Yahweh’s favor…. Noah was an upright (tsad-deek') man among his contemporaries, and he walked with Elohim.” Then in verse 18, Yahweh says to Noah, “But with YOU, I shall establish my COVENANT (ber-eeth').”
Ber-eeth’ Strong: H1285
Orig: from 1262 (in the sense of cutting (like 1254)); a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
(Just like Abrahams covenant, in Genesis 15.)
We see the covenant being fulfilled, in Genesis 9:8-10, “Elohim spoke to Noah, and his sons. ‘I am now establishing my covenant with YOU, and YOUR DECENDENTS to come, and with every living creature that was with you…..”
So I am pretty sure everyone engaging in this study, knew this. But did you ever hold it up, in light of the fact, that Noah was still ALIVE around 60 years, after Abram was born? (Genesis 9:28-29)
So do you remember in Part 1, when I was pointing out that the King Abram took out, was a Elamite/Shemite? That this is of the same origin, of Abram himself? (Well, I was pointing it out….didn’t exactly say it…..)
This is a big deal!
Shem’s line, is the one set apart. It is the line, that leads all the way to, Yahoshua Messiah! It is important! And here we are, looking at a situation where a part of the family tree, became corrupt, and had to be cut off!
King Chedor-Laomer, AFTER doing his biz (right or wrong, I am personally still confused on), took his actions just a bit too far. He captured LOT, HIS OWN FAMILY TREE!!!
Abram was not going to accept that.
So when Melchizedek comes, it is clearly a result of this event. For we see not only Abram, but also the King of Sodom also. They meet, in the Valley of the Kings.
We also see, Melchizedek brings: bread and wine.
We are told Melchizedek is a, “Priest of El Most High” who pronounces this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by El, Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be El, Most High, for putting your enemies into your clutches.”
Then Abram tithes to him.
Just to finish up Genesis 14, this is the core of this study: we then see the King of Sodom, attempting to tempt Abram into giving him the people of Lot’s family, but telling Abram to keep their possessions.
Abram gives him the shaft on that one…..
(Side note- Studies have been posted on this page before, about the bread and wine offering. I’d address it here, but that is a whole other study!)
One thing I thought about, when I first had the notion, that Noah could be Melchizedek was, Genesis 9:20.
“Noah was a tiller of the soil, the first to plant the vine.”
I also remember, watching something on the History Channel, which was showing evidence of where Noah settled, and the vineyards that still exist in the area, to this very day. This supports the accuracy of the Scriptures, and reminds us that Noah and wine, go together very well! This is one of the things offered, to Abram.
The bread can also make one think of Noah, who has lifted the curse from the soil, (as pointed out above.)
Let’s reflect briefly, on Genesis 9:26
Noah says, “Blessed be YAHWEH, Elohim of SHEM, let Canaan be his slave! May Elohim make space for Japheth, may he live in the tents of Shem, and let Canaan be his slave!” (Shem also can mean, “Authority”, which adds to passage.)
Noah blessed Yahweh, while Noah had much more major points:
He is the one, who had won FAVOR with Yahweh.
He is the one, who had tremendous FAITH, and ENDURANCE, by building the Ark.
He is the REASON, the human race continued.
He was the PROMISE to lift the curse.
He was the RECIEVER, and HEAD of the COVENANT.
He was the OLDEST MAN LIVING after the flood, and ever after.
He was the ANCESTOR of: Chedor-Laomer, Lot, AND Abram,
(thus a FAIR JUDGE in regards to this FAMILY squabble).
He was ALIVE, so why would Shem be above him in rank?
He was the DELIVERER of the time, which was WORLD DESTRUCTION!
He is SPOKEN OF, of his RIGHTEOUSNESS, and the other candidates for this mystery, ARE NOT.
We do not read ONE THING about Shem, other than the genealogy accounts.
But apparently Noah, was much more regarded:
Noah, is in the book of Wisdom, in regards to whom Wisdom had assisted in time.
See chapter 10:1-14.
There, you will see 7 men, spoken of: Adam, Noah, Abram, Lot, Jacob, Joseph, Moshe.
(Study these names out, by the way……whole other subject! ;) )
We can read of Noah, in Ezekiel 14:14+20 “even in three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were living in it, they would save no one but themselves, by their UPRIGHTNESS….even if Noah, and Daniel, and Job, were living there, as I live- declares Adoni Yahweh- they would be able to save neither son or daughter, only themselves, by their UPRIGHTNESS.”
Abraham, didn’t make the list either…. But we see, who did!
The New Testament, helps reiterate why Noah, is so revered-
(Others are also revered in the passages).
Hebrews 11:7-
“It was through his FAITH that NOAH, when he had been warned by Elohim of something that HAD NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE (RAIN), took care to build an ark to save his family. HIS FAITH WAS A JUDGEMENT ON THE WORLD and he was ABLE TO CLAIM THE UPRIGHTNESS, which comes from FAITH.”
2 Peter 2:5-
“He (Yahweh) did not spare the world in ancient times; he saved only Noah, the 8th PREACHER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, when he sent the flood over, a world of sinners.”
Interesting passage….. some versions ADD words, to make it seem like Peter was saying, Noah with 7 others, equals 8. But look for yourself, in regards to translations-
And 2532 spared 5339 5662 not 3756 the old 744 world 2889, but 235 saved 5442 5656 Noah 3575 the eighth 3590, preacher 2783 of righteousness 1343, bringing in 1863 5660 the flood 2627upon the world 2889 of the ungodly 765;
By assessing the line we are given:
Adam, Shem(1), Enosh(2), Kenan(3), Mahalalel(4), Jared(5?), Enoch(5?), Methuselah(6), Lamech(7), Noah(8).
OR, Adam (1), Shem (2), Enosh, (3), Kenan(4), Mahalalel (5), Jared (decended-lost position), Enoch (taken), Methuselah (6), Lamech (7), Noah (8).
Since Adam did fall, did he count?
The story goes for Jared (Book of Adam and Eve, legit or?), he descended down the mountain, by trickery of Satan. Yah forgave him, and allowed him back up. Jared (“Decend”) is the father of Enoch, who was “taken” by Yahweh, “up”. So I wonder about both of their placements, as a type of “Preacher of Righteousness.”
One thing I should mention, though it adds some confusion….is that Methuselah’s age, places him passed the flood. That would be a good study, to figure out that one…..
We can see how Noah can easily be placed in, as the “8th”, as Peter was mentioning.
I find it also interesting, the Noah’s father, Lamech, who would be the 7th, lived 777 years!
Family of Yah, I am not sure of what more I can say, at this point.
There is so much to this idea, and I hope you are not feeling too overwhelmed.
Bottom line for me personally, is that if Noah was still alive another 60 years after Abram was born, he is a very strong candidate for being the Melchizedek, the King of Righteousness, who was also a Priest of Yah. Clearly, we read passages showing Noah being expressed as RIGHTEOUS, FIRSTBORN of the ARK (so to speak), and being the most awesome guest to have show up to bless you, after your righteous battle!
And Yahoshua Messiah also compares his return, to “Noah’s day”~
(Matthew 24:37-38, Luke 17 26-27)
HOW COULD I FORGET TO MENTION, THAT YAHOSHUA MESSIAH IS ALSO A PRIEST KING, IN ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK?! (Someone slap me!) lol
Yahoshua starts a NEW ERA, like Noah did.
Yahoshua leads us to REST, like Noah's name.
Yahoshua means, YAHWEH SAVES, and he does!
The Book of Hebrews, is all about the order of Melchizedek, mentioning better promises, and that it pre-existed the Levitical.
Yahoshua, was the receiver of the covenant, as well as Noah, in his day. Their covenants, pass on to us, true. They pass on through the generations.... but let's not forget to give credit, where credit is due!
The ones who have proven GREAT FAITH, are the ones we read about, over and over again, in Scripture.
Praise Yah, for his RIGHTEOUS plan, of our salvation!
Just another though to add. The Book of Hebrews, is all about the transfer back, into the order of Melchizedek. I find it interesting, that Shem is not mentioned anywhere at all.
One thing to note, is Hebrews 7:3.
FATHERLESS 540, MOTHERLESS 282, UNREGISTERED AS TO BIRTH 35, having 2192 5723 neither 3383 beginning 746 of days 2250, nor 3383 end 5056 of life 2222; but 1161 made like 871 5772 unto the Son 5207 of God 2316; abideth 3306 5719 a PRIEST 2409 PRIMARY 1519 PERPETUAL1336."
Think.... Some of you may believe, that Yahoshua is the Melchizedek, in Genesis 14. I have many reasons to disagree with that opinion. That which is another study..... But think about this- is Yahoshua truly "FATHERLESS" AND "MOTHERLESS"? No.
And Shem- He was NOT FATHERLESS, OR MOTHERLESS.
Who could be looked at, at the time AFTER THE FLOOD, to be ""Fatherless" and "Motherless"?
Mr. Noah, of course.
He had no parents, when the flood happened. No record we know of, to show his lineage, other than Torah, that came later written after Moshe, based on....?
Noah, was starting in the world, a NEW. He is the one, who has no parents, and his Priesthood is PRIMARY, AND PERPETUAL. Yahoshua takes over, and we are now under this Priesthood again. Praise Yah, for mysteries for our benefit!
Like · Reply · Commented on by Gretchen Rist · Yesterday at 1:15pm
Narrow Gate Assembly
Narrow Gate Assembly Hebrews 7:8
7:8 And 2532 here 5602 3303 men 444 that die 599 5723 receive 2983 5719 tithes 1181; but 1161 there 1563 he of whom it is witnessed 3140 5746 that 3754 he liveth 2198 5719.
"And here men that die, receive a tenth, but there of WHOM TESTIFIED, BECAUSE HE LIVES."
Check out the Greek. What is this passage all about? Perhaps, how Priests receive a tithe, but the Melchizedek received a tithe, because he LIVES. Meaning, he was not a Priest of Levi or Aaron, (obviously....), but what was he? Why is he able to receive a tithe? BECAUSE HE LIVES. He LIVED through the FLOOD!
He TESTIFIED, about his experience as time went on, and was known as a King of Righteousness!
It seems the truth is right under our noses, but we never had eyes to see. Now, I pray they are wide open.