Who was Melchizedek?
Genesis 14:18 The question of “who was Melchizedek?” is a mystery which has never fully been answered or solved. We do know that Genesis 14:18 says that “Melchizedek was king of Salem” and “was the priest of God Most High.” Does this verse give enough information to determine just who he was; after all there is no genealogy for him. Various theories suggest who Melchizedek may have been, and all accounts are relatively similar. We will concentrate on three different commentaries to obtain a better understanding of the person of Melchizedek. Matthew Henry’s Commentary starts like most of the other descriptions, making reference to Genesis 14:18, “He was king of Salem and priest of the most high God”. Henry’s
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But this time was before the law and before the Levitical priesthood. Guzik does not make Melchizedek out to be more than a king and a priest, but like Henry he list suggestions of who others think he might represent: 1. Seth, Noah’s son; 2. Job, or an angel; 3. An outer-space visitor; 4. An “unfallen Adam” from another planet, sent to observe the progress of God’s work of redemption for this fallen race. Melchizedek walked in and out of the pages of the Bible with little or no fanfare. Who is Melchizedek? Genesis 14:18 says he was the king of Salem, and that he was the priest of God Most High. That is all we know. Had Genesis stopped at him being the king of Salem and omitted he was the priest of God Most High, there probably would be no further discussion concerning him. Melchizedek must have known Abram because when he blessed him in verse 19 he said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High.” He knew Abram’s name and he knew that Abram trusted in God. Melchizedek and Abram reciprocated one another in that Melchizedek “brought out bread and wine” (vs. 18) and Abram “gave him a tithe of all” (vs. 20). The One Volume Bible Commentary by J.R. Dummelow does not try to give many explanations as to who Melchizedek was. I agree with Dummelow’s commentary more than the other two because he sticks close to the Scriptural account, however I do not agree with his statement that Abram in a general way could have acknowledge Melchizedek as his god.
Bibliography
Church, Rev.
Wade Butlers states that the rest of the bible is about one man’s family, which is Abraham. It is about how God kept his three promises that he made. There are many obstacles that the family goes through, but the stories show how God never disappoints his people. In the end he fulfills his three promises.
To learn more about the Salem witchcraft hysteria, Historian Paul Boyer, and Professor Stephen Nissenbaum sought to further understand the accusations of witchcraft. During the late 1600’s life in colonial New England was one led by religion and politics. Salem was broken up into two factions, Salem Village, and Salem Town. Salem Village, which was led by the Putnam family was a rapidly growing
the people in Salem during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The book opens up describing the
Moreover, Nathaniel’s great great-grandfather, John, son of William Hathorne was known as, “the witch judge,” who was involved in the Salem witchcraft trials in 1962.This idea was portrayed through the character if Mistress Hibbons. As quoted, “She is commonly known to be a witch who ventures into the forest at night to ride with the “Black Man.” Her appearances at public occasions remind the reader of the hypocrisy
Puritans settled in the Massachusetts town of Salem in 1630, with their leader John Winthrop. Winthrop claimed that Salem would be “As a City Upon a Hill,” meaning that the Puritans coming to the New World would set a religious and civilized example among other colonies. However, this wasn’t the case. The Salem Witch Trials were a series of accusations and persecutions due to what was thought to be witchcraft among Salem townspeople. King Philip’s War played a role in the trials. It caused regional mass hysteria which lead to the accusing of witches in Salem. Samuel Parris was the local preacher of Salem and in 1691 he started preaching about the devil and focused more on hell instead of more positive things which also played a role in the crafting of the witch trials. Rich versus poor feuds, the desire to feel around and inspect women, and easily being able to have someone punished by accusing them of being a witch, fueled and motivated the Witch Trials of Salem in 1692.
Salem was one of the larger towns of the Massachusetts Bay area. It was first occupied by in 1626, and was originally called Naumkeag; a word that derived
In 1692 the area of Salem town and Salem village became very vulnerable to conflict. Severe weather such as hurricanes had damaged land and crops, the effects of King Phillips War began to impact New England society, and colonists were being forced off of the frontiers by Native peoples. The Church and the government were in heavy conflict. And those residing in Salem began to grow suspicious of one another when some prospered and others hadn’t (Marcus, p13).
The Salem witch trials were a time period in which there was mass chaos and very little reason. In, “The Crucible,” by Arthur Miller, there were an elect group of people that overcame this hysteria of the trials. Among the people of reason arose, Reverend Hale, who displayed both sides of the hysteria. Reverend Hale is a dynamic character as he transforms from a character following the strict law and causing the deaths of many, to a character that understands the ridiculousness of the trials.
In the winter of 1628-1629 Massachusetts was a dark and reveling place. Puritans colonized Salem in 1628. It was the beginning of Massachusetts Bay Colonies. Salem was being considered as the largest trial American history has seen (Hoffer), a place of devil worship and deception. Many English protestants, also known as Puritans were being accused of witchcraft and worshiping the devil. Witchcraft was known as giving the devil permission to go into that person’s body, take their shape and go around harming other people. As hysteria spread, more women were hearing of this matter, a witch-hunt began in the village of Salem.
Elisheva Baumgarten’s work stands as a model for students and scholars alike in its comprehensive review of little-known writings and other sources from medieval Ashkenazi Jews as well as in its meticulous analysis of the often ambiguous writings. In Mothers and Children, Baumgarten examines a plethora of primary sources to explore the inner dynamics of Jewish families; she then uses this information to draw objective conclusions about the relationship between the Jewish and Christian communities in the middle ages.
Reverend Samuel Parris is a middle aged man in his forties. Back in 1692 theocracy was the Salem community’s only source of government and Mr. Parris was apart of the clergy, therefore making him a big deal.
The first important character in the story who helped Santiago is the Old King of Salem.
he is shown, he is apart from the crowd. Also once he worshipped his love
He is the topic of conversation between the three witches in the first scene, so the audience is aware that he is the protagonist of this tragedy.
Melchizedek : An old man who explains himself as King of Salem, with magical power ,helps Santiago to make a decision ,‘’ ---when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it’’(p.22). He also gives Santiago the magical stones Urim and Thummim.