Melchizedek; priest of the most high G-d!

Melchizedek king of Salem [later called Jerusalem] brought out bread and wine [for their nourishment]; he was the  priest of G-d Most High, And he blessed him and said, Blessed (favored with blessings, made blissful, joyful) be Abram by G-d Most High, Possessor {and} Maker of Heaven and earth, And blessed, praised, {and} glorified be G-d Most High, Who has given your foes into your hand! And [Abram] gave him a tenth of all [he had taken]. And the king of Sodom said to Abram, Give me the persons and keep the goods for yourself. But Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lifted up my hand {and} sworn to the L-rd, G-d Most High, the Possessor {and} Maker of Heaven and earth, (Genesis 14:18-22)

Who was Melchizedek? He was obviously a G-d-fearing man, for his name means “king of righteousness,” and "king of Salem" means “king of peace.” He was a “priest of G-d Most High” (Hebrews 7:1-2). He recognized G-d as Creator of heaven and earth. What else is known about him? Four main theories have been suggested:

Who was Melchizedek 

(1) Melchizedek was a respected king of that region (Salem). Abram was simply showing him the respect he deserved.
(2) The name Melchizedek may have been a standing title for all the kings of Salem.
(3) Melchizedek was a type of Yeshua Messiah/Christ (Hebrews 7:3). A type is an Old Testament event or teaching that is so closely related to what Yeshua Messiah/Christ did that it illustrates a lesson about Yeshua Messiah/Christ.
(4) Melchizedek was the appearance on earth of the pre-incarnate Yeshua Messiah/Christ in a temporary bodily form!?

Melchizedek; priest of the most high G-d,  Genesis 14:18,  was Shem,  Noah’s Oldest son. Genesis 10:21, Shem was the `Rabbinical’ teacher of Eber’s family; origin of the spiritual use of the term, “Hebrew”, soon after the confusion of languages at the Tower of Babel.  Shem developed a school, then a city which gained the reputation of “Salem”, city of Peace. (Became later Yerushalaim / Jerusalem)

Abraham was 10^th generation from Noah. Abraham was a Hebrew,  sixth  generation from Eber. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, Genesis 14:20 while Noah was still alive, and Shem was 429 years old, 329 years after the Flood.  Shem lived another 70 years. The term “Hebrew” comes from the name of the fourth descendant of Noah,   Eber,  meaning - with verbal vowels - “crossing over to the other side.” - a spiritual transformation by the Holy Spirit which enables the human soul to interact with Angels in the spirit realm!   

This ‘New Birth” experience was not limited to any family; Moses found a wife amongst the daughters of the   “Priest of Midian”  who was a Hebrew,  a great great grandson of Abraham’s 2^nd wife,  Ketura, by one of her many sons,  Midian.  Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, was also called, Reuel. Exodus  2:18 & 3:1, meaning, ”His Excellency”!

Shem lived 500 years after the Flood. Shem became King of "Salem" just before Noah died. Eber outlived Abraham, (Genesis 11:16, 17)  Abraham lived 175 years; his father, Terah lived 265 years!   (Genesis 11 & 12;  25:7)

Linguistics Hebrew was the language of Abraham’s father, and above mentioned Patriarchs who were still living. Descendants of Shem are called “Semites”. Semites who obtained a personal relationship with the Heavenly Father and His Holy Spirit Angels are called, `Hebrews.’!

Several Bible teachers think there were over 2 billion people on the Earth before the Flood, and many tribal languages besides the original spoken by Adam & Eve, &  developed literatures, which Noah brought on the Ark. Shem and Noah spoke Hebrew, {An ancient form} amongst other languages. Prophecy was not limited to the Hebrews. The eyes of the L-rd run to and fro throughout the whole Earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of him who is right with G-d. So, it is likely that Noah had writings and maps on the Ark!

Reconciliation / Priesthood / Individual, Personal responsibility to make things right with G-d. Genesis 4:7 - G-d spoke directly with Cain before the Flood, and told him that he shall rule over the devil {sin}.  Yeshua/ Jesus Christ told His Disciples they would receive power over all the power of the enemy! 

As tribes grew into nations the rulers had to make sacrifices to the “Higher Powers”,  thereby acting as religious leaders and priests. When the citizens hear and obey the voice of G-d, they will demand that the king be righteous. Melchizedek means king of righteousness.

Yeshua/ Jesus the Christ was fore- ordained to rule the world as King of Kings; this is His inheritance from the Creator for dying to take away the sin/guilt of all G-d’s fallen and rebellious servants.  G-d was in Yeshua/ Jesus Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. The rebellious Angels are on probation until the Great White Throne judgment. (Revelation)

In the New Testament, the religious group called `Sadducees’ considered themselves to be `just’ and `right’ because they kept the physical liturgy of the religion; but they were `materialists’ and failed to recognize the moving of the Spirit of G-d in mercy and compassion! The phrase, “Spirit of G-d” could refer to any person in the G-d-head, or to any chosen Angel on assignment from G-d, or even to the neuter gender {in Greek} of precise force to work at G-d’s command.

Over the millennia, there have been different names for Jerusalem in different languages.

Several Jewish midrashim say that "Jerusalem has 70 names". Lists have been compiled of 72 different Hebrew names for Jerusalem in Jewish Scripture

Salem...

Scriptural Hebrew ירושלם Yerushalaim probably "Heritage of Shalem" or "Heritage of the Complete"

In the Book of Genesis, Salem or Shalem is the name of the place of which Melchizedek is king. Genesis 14:18 has מלכי־צדק מלך שלם ... כהן לאל עליון׃ The KJV renders this as "Melchizedek king of Salem ... the priest of the most high G-D (El Elyon)." The Hebrew root שלם š-l-m means "whole, complete" in the idiomatic sense of "at peace".

That the name Salem refers to Jerusalem is evidenced by Psalms 76:2 which uses "Salem" as a parallel for "Zion", the citadel of Jerusalem. Similarly the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews equates Salem with Jerusalem and the same identification is made by Josephus and the Aramaic Targums.

In the Amarna letters, Urušalim is used for Jerusalem and is recognized as being a cognate of Hebrew Ir Shalem - city of Salem

The first mention of the city of Jerusalem...

The first mention of the city of Jerusalem is in the Egyptian Execration Texts of the 19^th–18^th centuries B.C.E. The name is spelled wš mm and was probably pronounced "rushalimum." In the Tell el-Amarna letters of the 14^th century B.C.E., it is written Urusalim, and in Assyrian Ursalimmu (Sennacherib inscription). In the Bible it is usually spelled yrushlm and sometimes yrushlym (pronounced "Yerushalayim").

The city of Salem (Genesis14:18; Psalms 76:3) is evidently Jerusalem. The Greek Hierosolyma reflects the "Holiness" (hieros, "Holy") of the city. It seems that the original name was Irusalem, and the meaning of the two words composing it is "to found". The popular later midrashic explanation of the name Jerusalem as "foundation of peace (shalom)" is associated with the poetic appellations given to the city.

The king of Salem

Melchizedek or Malki Tzedek (from Hebrew מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק mal -i  édeq, literally "my king is righteous(ness)") is a priest mentioned during the Abram narrative in the 14th chapter of the Book of Genesis.

The priesthood of Shem to Abraham...

Malchizedek, whom Sages indentify as Shem, son of Noah. He was called Malchizedek because he was the king of the "future site" of the Temple the home of righteousness. As the most honered as Noah's children, Shem was made priest of G-d in Jerusalem (Ramban)  The Sage derive that Malchizedek  did not pass on the priesthood to his {direct} heirs; it was stripped from him and given to {his 10th generation [from Noah] (Nedarim 32b); heir} Abraham. Even tough Abraham himself was a descendant, of Malchizedek i.e., Shem, he won the priesthood through personal merit, not through inheritance (Ran, Ibid)

Source: The Chumash: The Stone Edition, Full Size (ArtScroll) (English and Hebrew Edition) The Torah: Haftaros and Five Megillos with a Commentary Anthologized from the Rabbinic Writings Hardcover – June 1, 1993 XXVI (Bereishis/Genesis 14:18,19 commentary)

Mount Moriah...
is the name of the elongated north-south stretch of land lying between Kidron Valley and "Hagai" Valley, between Mount Zion to the west and the Mount of Olives to the east...

Mount Moriah

Moriah Area - The Hebrew name used for the archeological area visible today known in Arabic as "Haram As-Sharif' and whose average measurements are 300 by 500 meters.

Melchizedek is spoken of as a king of Salem, supposed to be the place afterwards called Jerusalem, and it is generally thought that he was only a man.  (In the Books of Josephus you will find more information)  Bread and wine were suitable refreshment for the weary followers of Abram;  Melchizedek blessed Abram from G-D. He blessed G-D from Abram.

Jeru-salem...

Even prior to the conquest of the city of Jebus - which became the City of David, (1 Chronicles 11:4) - we know of the existence of Jerusalem from the record of Abraham's visit to Melchizedek there, recorded in Genesis Chapter 14. Although the original inhabitants were descendants of Noah's son Caanan, Melchizedek was both a priest and a king of "God Most High," in Jerusalem about 4 millennia ago. Melchizedek (his name means "king of righteousness") was a man to whom Abraham paid tithes, and he is a "type" of Yeshua/Jesus Christ as the believer's Great High Priest, (Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 5-7).

The northern area of the mountain's summit lay desolate for long after Zion's capture by David. It was in fact still the private property of Araunah, the city's former Jebusite king. For various reasons David did not confiscate the site but preferred to buy it from Auranah for full value: "So David paid Ornan [Auranah] for the site 600 shekels' worth of gold. And David built there an altar to the Lord and sacrificed burn offerings and offerings of well-being" (1 Chronicles 21:25, and a slightly different version at 2 Samuel 24:18-25).

Jewish connection

Jewish connection and veneration to the site stems from the fact that it contains the Foundation Stone which, according to the Talmud, was the spot from where the world was created and expanded into its current form. It was subsequently the Holy of Holies of the Temple, the Most Holy Place in Judaism.  Jewish tradition names it as the location for a number of important events which occurred in the Bible, including the Binding of Isaac, Jacob's dream, and the prayer of Isaac and Rebekah. Similarly, when the Bible recounts that King David purchased a threshing floor owned by Araunah the Jebusite,  tradition locates it as being on this mount.

Abraham's  sacrifice

The site of Abraham's intended sacrifice, and the mountain on which the Temple of Jerusalem was built. The best-known tradition related to Mount Moriah is the binding of Isaac for sacrifice by his father Abraham, related in (Genesis 22:3-10).

Abraham

Abraham's meeting with Melchizedek

In the course of time the mountain had acquired an aura of sanctity and he subject of many traditions. Indeed, its sacred status may date back to the early Canaanite period, when it perhaps was the cultic center of "El Elyon," G-d of Melchizedek, king of Salem: "And Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest of G-d Most High [=El Elyon]. He blessed him, saying, Blessed be Abram of G-d Most High, creator of Heaven and earth" (Genesis 14:18).

Abraham

Jacob's Dream"

The tradition of "Jacob's Dream" is also identified with Mount Moriah: "He came upon a certain place and stopped there for the night, for the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of that place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. He had a dream; a stairway was set on the ground and its top reached to the sky, and angels of G-d were going up and down on it. And the Lord was standing beside him... Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, ... "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the abode of G-d and that is the gateway to Heaven" (Genesis 28:10-18).

Abraham

Two Jewish Temples; a Third and Final Temple

Ancient Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple Mount is a religious site in the Old City of Jerusalem. According to Jewish tradition, it was from here that the world expanded into its present form and from where G--d gathered the dust used to create the first man, Adam. It was the place G-d chose to "dwell", hence the construction of two Jewish Temples at the site. Traditionally, it is believed that a Third and final Temple will also be located here. The Mount is considered the holiest site in Judaism and due to this, many Jews will not set foot on the Mount itself. 

Solomon's Temple

Solomon's Temple, famed for its sumptuous splendor, the Ark of the Covenant was placed within its confines. The sanctity of the site is reflected in the graphic description provided by the Book of Kings: "the priests came out of the sanctuary for the cloud had filled the House of the L-rd and the priests were not able to remain and perform the service because of the cloud, for the Presence of the Lord filled the House of the L-rd..." (1 Kings 8:11). 
Solomon built his palace in the "miloh" (infill) area which separated the summit of the mountain and the Temple from the city below. This was also a concrete expression of the Divine inspiration that was attributed to his kingship. Other palaces were also built nearby, such as the "House of the Forest of Lebanon" and the House of Pharaoh's Daughter. Solomon used dirt to fill in this east-west lateral rift, hence the area's name: "miloh" (infill), or Ophel , from a Hebrew word referring to the road that ascended to the Temple from the city which at that time was topographically lower.

City of David

The Jebusite "Zion" was situated on the southern slope of Mount Moriah, above the Gihon Spring. After King David captured the city he made it his capital and named it for himself: the "City of David."

Abraham

Foundation Stone

This is perhaps the most colorful representation of the essential nature of the site which some would later claim was the "navel of the world". At the summit of Mount Moriah, traditionally, is the "Foundation Stone," the symbolic fundament of the world's creation, and reputedly the site of the Temple's Holy of Holies, the supreme embodiment of the relationship between G-d and the people of Israel. Upon the completion of King

Psalms Chapter 110

A Psalm of David. HaShem saith unto my lord: 'Sit thou at My right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.' The rod of Thy strength HaShem will send out of Zion: 'Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.' Thy people offer themselves willingly in the day of thy warfare; in adornments of holiness, from the womb of the dawn, thine is the dew of thy youth. HaShem hath sworn, and will not repent: 'Thou art a priest for ever after the manner of Melchizedek.' The L-rd at thy right hand doth crush kings in the day of His wrath. He will judge among the nations; He filleth it with the dead bodies, He crusheth the head over a wide land. He will drink of the brook in the way; therefore will he lift up the head.

The altars from generations on Mount Moriah...

(Rambam [Hil. Beis HaBechirah 2:2]) comments:  There was a traditions that the altars of David & Solomon, of Abraham {where he bound Isaac, Genesis 22:2} of Noah, of Cain, and Abel, and of Adam were all at the same place: Mount Moriah; the site of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Source: The Chumash: The Stone Edition, Full Size (ArtScroll) (English and Hebrew Edition) The Torah: Haftaros and Five Megillos with a Commentary Anthologized from the Rabbinic Writings Hardcover – June 1, 1993 XXVI (Bereishis/Genesis 8:20 commentary)

Melchizedek -- a Type of Yeshua Messiah /Christ

Yeshua Messiah
The better High Priest!

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus; by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; And having an High priest over the house of G-D; (Hebrews 10:19-21)

Many unscriptural interpretations have been given about Melchizedek; but the simple facts of the Scripture give a clear understanding. The person, order and duration of the Melchizedek and Aaronic priesthoods are contrasted. In His sacrificial work Yeshua Messiah/Christ followed the Aaronic which was merely the shadow of His sacrifice (Hebrews 8:1 -- 10:19).

Melchizedek typifies Yeshua Messiah/Christ in seven ways:

1. Genealogy (Hebrews 7:3,6 compared with Micah 5:2)
2. Sacrifice (Genesis 14:18 compared with Luke. 22:14-30)
3. Endless priesthood (Psalms 110 compared with (Hebrews 5:10; 6:20; 7:3,17,21,23-28)
4. King-Priest (Heb. 7:1 compared with Zech. 6:12-13)
5. Greater than Abraham (Hebrew 7:4-8 compared with John. 8:55-59)
6. King of righteousness (Hebrew 7:2 compared with 1Cor.inthians1:30; Hebrews 1:8)
7. King of peace (Heb. 7:2 compared with Isa. 9:6)  

14:18 Melchizedek—This victory conferred a public benefit on that part of the country; and Abram, on his return, was treated with high respect and consideration, particularly by the king of Sodom and by Melchizedek, who seems to have been one of the few native princes, if not the only one, who knew and worshiped “the most high G-d,” whom Abram served. Salem, Melchizedek’s city, is thought to have been Jerusalem (cf. Psalms76:2). This king, who was a type of the Savior/Messiah (Hebrews 7:1), came to bless God for the victory which had been won, and in the name of G-d to bless Abram, by whose arms it had been achieved—a pious acknowledgement which we should imitate on succeeding in any lawful enterprise.

14:19-20—Verses 14:19, a constitute a blessing on Abraham by the priest-king. he gave him tithes of all—Here is an evidence of Abram’s piety, as well as of his valor, for it was to a priest or official mediator between G-d and himself that Abram gave a tenth of the spoil—a token of his gratitude and in honor of a Divine ordinance (Proverbs 3:9). Abram’s act became a standard for Jacob (Genesis 28:21) and, subsequently, for the law (Leviticus 27:30-32; Numbers 18:24-28).

Shem; Noah's son...

Noah's son Shem, who was born 98 years before the flood, would live to be 600 years old, dying according to our calculations, in 1843 B.C., 152 years after the death of Noah, and 10 years after the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 11:11; 25:20). When Noah cursed Canaan, the son of Ham, he blessed Shem, and Shem was to be the "father" of the Jewish nation, through his son Arpachshad. Of the genealogies of the sons of Noah, only Shem's is recorded in detail, by name and year, as it meticulously traces the ancestry of Abraham! Shem, the middle son, is always mentioned first because it was through him that the Messiah should come! (They were a "tripling" there the sons of Noah were born in the same year! )

Shem, as Seth before him, fathered the G-dly line, the line of the promised Messiah. As implied by the Scripture and evidenced by tradition, Shem carried on his father's G-dly leadership over the minority who remained faithful the the Truth! Because of the exercise of this Godly authority, Shem would become "the devil" of the pagan world!

Shem personally fought the idolatry of Nimrod. Idolatry was a problem with the ancient Jews throughout history, that Terah (father of patriarch Abraham) wandered from his Shemite relatives into the "Hamite civilization", and that the patriarchs lived elsewhere in an age where communications were much more limited than they are 'today'! Abram (later Abraham) was opposed to his father's idol worship, destroying idols and refusing to bow to the sacred fire of the 'Chaldeans'! Abraham was a descendant of Noah and Shem!

Source: from Book: "They came from Babel" by S.A. Cranfill; Pages: 23, 83

The list of Shem's descendants

The Sons of Shem...

1.       Elam (Genesis 10:22; 1 Chronicles 1:17), progenitor of the Elamites who settled near the Persian Gulf (Genesis 14:1,9; Isaiah 11:11; 21:2; 22:6; Jeremiah 25:25; 49:34-39; Ezekiel 32:24; Daniel 8:2).

2.       Asshur (Genesis 10:11,22; 1 Chronicles 1:17), progenitor of the Assyrians (Numbers 24:22-24; Ezekiel 27:23; 32:22; Hosea 14:3).

3.       Arphaxad (Genesis 10:22), progenitor of the Israelites, Arabians, Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites, Ishmaelites, Midianites, and other tribes of Asia (Genesis 11:10-32; 17:20; 25:1-18; Genesis 36).

4.       Lud (Genesis 10:22), progenitor of the Lydians of Asia Minor, and the Ludim of Chaldea and Persia.

5.       Aram (Genesis 10:22), progenitor of Aramaeans, later called Syrians

 .

(Genesis 10:25) Eber: The Hebrew word (`eber means "across" or "the opposite side," referring to the other side of Euphrates. "Hebrew" is derived from this word (Genesis 14:13). "For in his days was the earth divided" This explains Peleg, in his days the earth was divided into continents and islands, after the various nations were scattered abroad on all the one land at the time of the divine judgment of (Genesis 11:1-9).

(Genesis 10:30)  Mesha: This is supposed by some to refer to the mountains of Media, and by others to mean southern Arabia; but the exact location is not known.

(Genesis 10:32) The sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood] Japheth settled in the north, west and east of Europe, and in Asia; Ham settled in Africa; and Shem settled in countries surrounding Palestine. {Source: Dake's Annotated Reference Bible}

Melchizedek blesses Abram! (Genesis14:17-20)

Melchizedek is spoken of as a king of Salem, supposed to be the place afterwards called Jerusalem, and it is generally thought that he was only a man. The words of the apostle, Hebrews 7:3, state only, that the sacred history has said nothing of his ancestors. (In the Books of Josephus you will find more information) The silence of the Scriptures on this, is to raise our thoughts to Him, whose generation cannot be declared. Bread and wine were suitable refreshment for the weary followers of Abram; and it is remarkable that Yeshua Messiah / Christ appointed the same as the memorials of His body and blood, which are meat and drink indeed to the soul. Melchizedek blessed Abram from G-d.   He blessed G-d from Abram. We ought to give thanks for other's mercies as for our own. Yeshua Messiah or Jesus the Christ, our great High Priest, is the Mediator both of our prayers and praises, and not only offers up ours, but his own for us. Abram gave him the tenth of the spoils, Hebrews 7:4. When we have received some great mercy from G-d, it is very fit we should express our thankfulness by some special act of pious charity. Yeshua Messiah or Jesus the Christ, our great Melchizedek, is to have homage done Him, and to be humbly acknowledged as our King and Priest; not only the tithe of all, but all we have, must be given up to Him! (Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary.)

Melchizedek, is not the name, but is a "title"! The title comes from 2 Hebrew words: "Melchi", which means "my king"; and "tzedek"; meaning: "Righteousness"!. His "title" was "King of righteousness"! He is not the Yeshua in carnal, that He should become flesh twice!

Melchizedek, has no recorded genealogy of his priesthood. This may be because records  were not kept in the time of Abraham. Apostle Paul reference in Hebrew 7 is based on an exegetical discussion of Psalm 110:4 where the writer prophesied of Yeshua: Psalm 110:4 The L-rd has sworn and will not revoke {or} change it: You are a priest forever, after the manner {and} order of Melchizedek.

When Apostle Paul wrote "He was without father, mother, or genealogy" he was saying this man has no written record of where he came from, unlike the written records of the sons of Levi from Aaron who had served in the Tabernacle! Paul was saying that just as Melchizedek  came on the scene without a past record and was a king-priest, so Yeshua was after the same priestly order. He had no Earthly father and was not from the tribe of Levi, as were all the sons of Aaron!

Yeshua's decent was NOT from the priestly tribe...

It should be noted that Yeshua's decent was NOT from the priestly tribe, but from the kingly tribe (David) All priest were to be the sons of Levi, but Yeshua was from the tribe of Judah. (Judah: Great Grand son of Abraham; son of Jacob!) This marked Yeshua in the lineage of David and gave Him the rights from the royal lineage. Since Yeshua was not from a priestly lineage, Apostle Paul taught that this made Him unique. Yeshua was the High-Priest from the tribe of Judah! Just as Melchizedek  was a king-priest, so Yeshua is also a Priest who will be King!

Theological Question......

If Melchizedek  was  "Yeshua" before His incarnation, how could He be after the order of of what He already was? This would make Him an order of Himself! This would also imply that Yeshua lived in the flesh over about 1,800 before He became flesh, meaning He would have become flesh twice!

The Scripture (Bible) is the inspired Word of G-d!

The Scripture (Bible) is the inspired Word of G-d! There is what scholars consider to be both secular and sacred history! Josephus lived in the time of the destruction of the Temple. His writings are considered secular Jewish history. One of such book often quoted by rabbis is the book of Jasher.

The Book of Jasher are one of the apocryphal. {Referred to in (Joshua 10:13) ".& (2 Samuel 1:18) The text covers much of the same ground as the traditional Mosaic books of the Bible, from the creation of the world to the death of Moses, albeit with several minor variations. Book of Jasher... This is variously translated in different versions: The book of Jasher, of the Just, of the Pious, of the Upright, of the Songs, of Heroes, of the Righteous, and in the true Records. A copy of the Hebrew scroll was discovered in the 1800s, and translated by a British scholar. It reveals interesting information about Noah and his son Chem.

Notes from the Book: "Mystery of the Priesthood and the Blood" Pages:159-169; Detailed Hebraic Study by Perry Stone

In rabbinic literature...

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 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 G-d's might and will alone.

The chronological work Seder ha-Dorot (published 1769) quotes that Melchizedek 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. Following the premise that Melchizedek was indeed Shem, he was 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 chap. 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).

The Rabbis identify Shem with Melchizedek, King of Salem

The Rabbis identify Shem with Melchizedek, King of Salem, who is termed "a priest of the Most High," and who came to meet Abraham after the latter had defeated the four kings led by Chedorlaomer (Gen. xiv. 18-20). According to this account, Shem, as a priest, came to Jerusalem (with which Salem is identified by the Rabbis), of which city he became king, it being the proper place for the establishment of the cult of YHVH

Shem is supposed by the Rabbis to have established a school...

Shem is supposed by the Rabbis to have established a school ("bet ha-midrash") in which the Torah was studied, and among the pupils of which was Jacob. Later, Shem was joined by Eber; and the school was called after both of them. Besides, the school was the seat of a regular bet din which promulgated the laws current in those times. Thus Esau was afraid to kill Jacob, lest he should be condemned by the bet din of Shem and Eber. The bet din of Shem proclaimed the prohibition of and the punishment for adultery; and according to this law Judah condemned Tamar to be burned ('Ab. Zarah 36b; Gen. R. lxiii. 7, lxvii. 8). Shem's bet din was one of the three in which the presence of the Shekinah was manifested (Mak. 23b).

Shem is always named first!

Shem is always named first, being the most important of the three brothers. Indeed, he was born circumcised; he was the ancestor of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; he was priest and prophet; and he was one of the eight righteous who are mentioned twice in Genesis 11-10 and who were allotted a portion both in this world and in the world to come (Sanh. 69b; Tan., Yelammedenu, Noah; Midr. ha-Gadol on Gen. ix. 18, xi. 10, ed. Schechter, cols. 142, 186). Shem is styled "the' great one" ("Shem rabba"; Sanh. 108b). According to Gen. R. xxx. 6, it was Shem who offered the sacrifices on the altar after Noah came out of the ark (comp. Gen. viii. 20), as the latter, having been crippled by the lion (see Noah in Rabbinical Literature), was unfit for the priestly office. Noah gave to Shem the priestly garments which he had inherited from Adam (Num. R. iv. 6). Shem is extolled by the Rabbis for his filial devotion in covering his father's nakedness (Gen. ix. 23). Although his brother Japheth assisted in this praiseworthy act, it was Shem who suggested and began it, his brother not arriving on the scene until Shem was already on his way with the garment. Therefore Noah, in blessing these two sons (ib. verse 27), declared, so the Rabbis think, that the Shekinah was to dwell only in the tents of Shem (Yoma 10a; Tan., Noah, 21; Gen. R. xxxvii. 9; comp. Jubilees, vii. 9, where it is said that the garment was Shem's). Shem's reward for this deed is seen in the fact that the Jews, his descendants, cover themselves with the Tallit and phylacteries, and remained untouched when the Assyrians, who also were descendants of Shem, were destroyed by an angel in the time of Hezekiah
.

Source: http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/13541-shem (Tan., Yelammedenu, l.c.; Ex. R. xviii. 5)

Who was Melchizedek- Part-2?

Source: Jewish Orthodox/ Chabad/ Rabbi Menachem Posner

After Abraham's victorious return from battle, we read:"Melchizedek the king of Salem brought out bread and wine, and he was a priest to the Most High G-d. And [Melchizedek] blessed him, and he said, "Blessed be Abram to the Most High G-d—Who possesses Heaven and earth—and blessed be the Most High G-d, Who has delivered your adversaries into your hand." And [Abram] gave him a tithe from all (Bereshis/Genesis 14:18-22).

Who was this Melchizedek? What sort of priest was he, and why did Abraham give him a tithe?

Taken alone, this tiny anecdote does indeed seem strange. The Torah tells us nothing else about this man and his relationship to Abraham.

The ancient Targumim (Aramaic interpretive translations) identify Melchizedek as Shem—son of Noah. Shem was one of the links in the chain who transmitted the G‑dly traditions that originated with Adam. These traditions were carefully handed down from generation to generation, and Shem—who headed an academy—was a key conductor of these teachings. The Midrash tells us that he was so perfect and so spiritually advanced that he was born circumcised.

So why did the priesthood pass from him to Abraham's children? The Talmud explains that this happened as a result of his having blessed Abraham before blessing G‑d in the verses above. This is reflected in the only other place in Scripture where Melchizedek is mentioned: in Psalms 110:4, where we read, ". . . you are a priest forever because of the speech of Melchizedek." Because of Melchizedek's ill-chosen speech, the priesthood was taken from him and given to the seed of Abraham forever.

At first glance it seems problematic to say that the priesthood was taken from the progeny of Shem and given to the seed of Abraham, as Abraham {10th generation after Noah} himself was a grandson of Shem. (Talmud, Nedarim 32b.)

"Tosafot" offers two possible explanations: a. The priesthood was taken from the entire clan of Shem and became the exclusive privilege of Abraham’s seed. b. Natural progression would have conferred Shem’s status on his firstborn descendants—not Abraham. Thus, it was only because of this encounter that the priesthood was given to Abraham specifically.

"RaN" explains that the intent of the Talmud here is that the priesthood of Abraham’s seed was now only by merit of the righteous Abraham and not due to their relation to Shem—which is why they are the only descendants of Shem deemed worthy of honor.

Source of this Part of study: Rabbi Menachem Posner is a lecturer, freelance journalist and writer. He serves as homepage editor for Chabad.org. Menachem lives with his family in Montreal, QC, and can be contacted via his website, http://menachemposner.com/

Generations of Shem ... contemporary with...

Generations of Shem: Shem was 97 when he entered the ark (Genesis 11:10;  5:32; 7:6; 8:13), and was grown and married when G-d told his father to make an ark (Genesis 6:9-10,18). Noah, therefore, didn't take 120 years to build the ark.

Notes Verse 10:11 Shem was the eleventh generation from Adam to Abraham. Methuselah was contemporary with Adam for 243 years (Genesis 5:1-32); Shem was contemporary with Methuselah for 97 years (Genesis. 5:32; 11:10-11); Abraham was contemporary with Noah for 48 years! Abraham was contemporary with Shem for 150 years (Genesis 11:10-32); and Jacob was contemporary with Abraham for 15 years. Information could be easily passed from Adam to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
{Source: Dake's Annotated Reference Bible}

Generations of Shem (Genesis 11:10-32; 1 Chronicles 1; Luke. 3)  (Genesis 11:10-11)

·         Shem: 600 years  (Genesis 11:10-11)

·         Arphaxad: 438 years  (Genesis 11:12-13)

·         Salah: 433 years (cp. 1 Chronicles 1:17-28)  (Genesis 11:14-15)

·         Eber: 464 years  (Genesis 11:16-17)

·         Peleg: 239 years  (Genesis 11:18-19)

·         Reu: 239 years  (Genesis 11:20-21)

·         Serug: 230 years  (Genesis 11:22-23)

·         Nahor: 148 years  (Genesis 11:24-25)

·         Terah: 205 years  (Genesis 11:26-32)

Dake Outlines

The days of Abraham's life were 175 years...

And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years. Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people. (Genesis 25:7-8; KJV)

The days of Abraham's life were 175 years. Then Abraham's spirit was released, and he died at a good (ample, full) old age, an old man, satisfied {and} satiated, and was gathered to his people. (Genesis 25:7-8; Amplified)

These are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years! This genealogy and record of Abraham's death are given because no more was to be said of him in the Genesis story. He lived until Jacob was 15 years old, dying at the age of 175 (Genesis 25:7). Abraham was a contemporary of Noah for 58 years! {Abraham Birth : 1948 - Noah death 2006; on the Jewh Chronology/Time-lien - Adam - Jacob; the Chumas [Stone larger version] page 53}  He was a contemporary of Shem for about 150 years.    
{Dake's Annotated Reference Bible/ Chumash; Orthodox Jewish Torah/Oil-Testament.}

The effecting results of the Academy of Shem and Eber...

Before going to Haran, Jacob spent fourteen years at the academy of Shem and Eber, a fact that the Sages deduce from the chronology of the period. Surely a great man as Jacob did not need more years of study to become a scholar. He went there for a different reason.

[Rabbi Yaakov  Kamenetsky] explained that Jacob, the first 63  years of his life he studied "Torah"  with his father, in an atmosphere insulated from the corruption from Canaan.. Now he will be living in Haran, among the people where Laban's comrade in dishonesty. To survive spiritual in such an environment, he needed the "Torah" {Teaching's & instructions; The "Word" of G-d existed a long time before Moses wrote it on parchments} of Shem and Eber, for they too, had been force to cope with corrosive surroundings. Shem had lived in the generation of the flood and Eber  had lived with those who built the Tower of Babel. Jacob's fourteen years in tutelage made it possible for him to emerge spiritually  unscathed from his personal exile. That was his personal preparation for the coming ordeal. Than G-d prepared him further with the visions of the angels {on the ladder} with the Divine promise with which the  "Sidrah"  begins. G-d's promise sustained him, but it was his own efforts that earned him the prophecy.

Jacob developed an enduring love for Joseph. Alternatively, Joseph was a wise son to him {Following  the Talmudic  dictum that the word "Hebrew word for: One who acquired wisdom". Wherever Jacob learned in the Academy of Shem and Eber  during his fourteen years there he transmitted to Joseph {Rashi quoting onkelos}

Before Jacob went to the home of Laban, he studied the "Torah of exile" at the academy of Shem and Eber. Jacob knew that Joseph was destined to be exiled [although he did not know exactly how & where this would happen], and this why he {Jacob} was singled out Joseph to be taught the lessons of Shem and Eber. It was because of this teaching that Joseph could emerge unscathed from his solitary exile  of twenty-two years in Egypt, just as Jacob has been unscathed by his years by Laban. [Rabbi Yaakov  Kamenetsky]

Source: The Chumash: The Stone Edition, Full Size (ArtScroll) (English and Hebrew Edition) The Torah: Haftaros and Five Megillos with a Commentary Anthologized from the Rabbinic Writings Hardcover – June 1, 1993 XXVI (Bereishis/Genesis 28:10-22; 37:1-3 commentary)

Ten generations after Noah, Abraham was born...

Ten generations after Noah, Abraham was born to his father Terach in Mesopotamia. Terach was an idolater who lived in a kingdom ruled by King Nimrod. At three years of age, Abraham instinctively felt that it was illogical to worship statues of wood and stone. His mind began to wonder and explore, and over the course of time he ultimately became convinced of the notion of monotheism, one G-d, a Superbeing who is omnipotent.

Abraham struggled against prevalent current—an attribute inherited by his descendents.

From the very beginning, Abraham struggled against the prevalent current—an attribute inherited by his descendents.

He was dubbed the Ivri (lit. “the other side”), for the whole world was on one side and he was on the other. Nimrod cast him into a fiery furnace for his “heretical” beliefs, yet he miraculously emerged unscathed, {Likewise Daniel's companions} and began proclaiming his beliefs in public. Abraham was a great philosopher and astrologer. The Talmud teaches that, “Abraham held great astrology in his heart, and all the kings of the east and west arose early at his door.” He moved to Haran where at the age of seventy five, G-d spoke to him in person for the first time and instructed him to leave his homeland {Ur} and enter the Holy Land {Later: Israel}. When G-d revealed Himself to Abraham, one of the first things that He told him was that his fate, and that of his descendants, transcended the influence of the constellations Therefore, Abraham should not be concerned with astrological predictions.

Sages identify Malki Tzedek as Shem the son of Noah

It is in the Holy Land where he met Malki Tzedek, King of Shalem, who was a priest to G-d, the Most High (Genesis 14:18). Our Sages identify Malki Tzedek as Shem the son of Noah. There is evidence that the mystical tradition was taught to Abraham by Shem. According to some authorities Abraham authored Sefer Yetzirah (the Book of Formation), one of the fundamental works of Kabbalah.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all studied in the academies of Shem and Eber

The Talmud states that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all studied in the academies of Shem and Eber. The Talmud further proclaims that the Patriarchs kept the entire Torah before it was given. How was this possible? The Kabbalists explain that they kept the Torah in its spiritual form, for it was only subsequently through Moses that the Torah instruction became manifest in the physical observance of Mitzvot. The Patriarchs, however, were well aware of the spiritual flow affected by Mitzvah performance. The Zohar parallels the biblical episode of Jacob with the sticks, troughs, and striped sheep with the Mitzvah of putting on tefillin. Both elicited a similar Divine emanation, however after Sinai, it was the Divine will that this spiritual flow came to be through laying a physical pair of tefillin.

Abraham had a tract dealing with idolatry!

Abraham was also fully aware of the magical and idolatrous uses that could be developed from these mysteries, and the Talmud states that Abraham had a tract dealing with idolatry that consisted of 400 chapters. There is also a Talmudic teaching that Abraham taught the mysteries involving “unclean names” to the children of his concubines. This is based on the verse, “to the sons of the concubines that Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and he sent them away…to the lands of the East” (Genesis 25:6). These gifts consisted of occult mysteries, which then spread in eastern Asia. It is no wonder that in many of the eastern religions we find parallels to Kabbalistic teachings. One of the most simple and striking examples of the transmition of the occult is that every child knows a magician uses the phrase “Abracadabra.” This magical expression is none other than an Aramaic extension of the Hebrew abra— I will create, k’adabra—as I will speak—the knowledge of creation using letters and names as documented in Sefer Yetzirah.

Abraham nomadically wandered the length and breadth of the land proclaiming his belief, and he was so successful that he converted thousands to monotheism. His method was one of kindness—he set up a motel and after feeding and watering wayfarers they were introduced to the true belief and blessed G-d the Provider. Abraham converted the men and Sarah the women, and together they successfully brought many souls under the wings of the Shechinah, hence resensitizing the world to G-dliness.

This Holy work was continued by Isaac..

This Holy work was continued by Isaac, Abraham’s second son, who was born miraculously after Abraham’s circumcision, implying that his future progeny who would be circumcised would survive miraculously. Isaac displayed amazing restraint and self-sacrifice at the Akeidah (the binding of Isaac). These attributes are forever engraved into the Jewish soul. Jacob, Isaac’s son, studied in the academy of Shem and Eber for fourteen years before setting out on his perilous journey back to Mesopotamia to his uncle Laban. On this journey, while sleeping on what was to become the Temple Mount, he had the dream of the ladder and the angels– a dream full of Kabbalistic mysteries that will be explained in a further chapter. In exile he raises the twelve tribes and subsequently returns, only to be challenged further. Eventually, he descends to Egypt, where he establishes a house of study where he specifically instructs his son Levi in the tradition, and the tribe of Levi becomes the Israelite priests. It is here that the stage is set for Levi’s great-grandson Moses to redeem the Israelites from the Egyptian bondage.

Source: Rabbi Nissan D. Dubov Director of Chabad Lubavitch in Wimbledon, UK.; http://m.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/361874/jewish/Abraham.htm

Note's for deeper studies:

http://m.chabad.org/kabbalah/default_cdo/jewish/Kabbalah-Online.htm

http://www.kabbalah.info/

Melchizedek in the Book of Jasher...

The Books of Jasher are one of the apocryphal. {Referred to in (Joshua 10:13 KJV) "...And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day."  & (2 Samuel 1:18 KJV)  "...Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher."}

There are several (as many as five) separate works by this title, all composed much later than Biblical times. This particular one is a translation of a Hebrew book printed in 1613. Sepir Ha Yasher, the Hebrew title of this book, means the 'Book of the Upright', or 'the Upright or Correct Record'. This title was misread as 'Jasher', and at some point Jasher was treated as a proper name; however the pronoun 'the' (Hebrew 'ha') never precedes proper names. www.sacred-texts.com/chr/apo/jasher/index.htm  

There is also another spurious Book of Jasher, published 1750, in which Jasher is treated as the name of the author.

This text covers much of the same ground as the traditional Mosaic books of the Bible, from the creation of the world to the death of Moses, albeit with several minor variations.

Book of Jasher...

Book of Jasher... This is variously translated in different versions: The book of Jasher, of the Just, of the Pious, of the Upright, of the Songs, of Heroes, of the Righteous, and in the true Records. It is not mentioned in the Septuagint. The book of Jasher is referred to twice in Scripture -- here and in (2 Samuel 1:18). It is said to be a collection of triumphal odes composed by different men to celebrate their notable victories, or by one man (Jasher) who wrote of such victories.

11 And Adonizedek king of Jerusalem, the same was Shem, went out with his men to meet Abram and his people, with bread and wine, and they remained together in the valley of Melech.  http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/apo/jasher/16.htm

 Abraham's & Moses' Middle East

Middle East During the Time of the Patriarchs

Scientifically-Archeology-Teaching’s web-page's throughout these web-site's!

This ministry; "God's Outreach Ministry Int. Inc."; Scientifically - Archeology - Teaching’s web-page's throughout several web-site's, with many of Scriptural Scientifically studies is always freely available for everyone! It is written in various fields of geography, archeology, ancient-history; Jewish Roots & Inheritance; and science in many web-pages!

To create these many teaching’s/ scientifically web-page’s with all the detailed information and in the prophetic-time-cycles - visions will cost a lot of 'Earthly time! This ministry with the Prophetic visions web-page's, and with many Biblical study-notes are always freely available for everyone! Especially for the End-Time-Harvest-Revival - online visitors! As such, these many detailed teaching’s site’s cost a lot of precious (study) time and financial commitment for the author and the publisher as well! Every detailed study, that takes you only a shorter time to read & study, and to view the illustrations according the story, has take many hours; days, weeks and even months; of devoted work to write, to edit, to design, to format and technically make available & maintain on these Ministries-web-sites.

That is the simple reality of the situation! Thank you for your understanding! There are still changes possible, but it will not change the original visions!

 I would like to hear from you how G-d has touch you throughout this study;

Shalom 

Rev. Paul van Beek

Middle eastern land distribution demonstrating the land of Canaan governed by Cham