In the Book of Genesis, we meet a fascinating figure named Melchizedek, who is both the King of Salem and a priest of God Most High. For ages, academics and theologians have been attracted by his cryptic persona and unusual role in biblical accounts.
One of the great mysteries surrounding Melchizedek remains unsolved: how old was Melchizedek when he died? In the following article, we will go into the Old Testament story of Melchizedek and study his origins, throwing light on this ancient person.
Who Was Melchizedek?
The name “Melchizedek” is of Hebrew origin and is made up of two parts: “Melech” (king) and “Tzedek” (righteousness). As a result, Melchizedek’s name can be translated as “King of Righteousness.” Melchizedek is presented in Genesis 14:18-20 as a priest and king of Salem, which was eventually equated with Jerusalem.
Melchizedek has a brief but significant presence in the Bible. A conflict breaks out between various rulers in Genesis 14 during the time of Abram (later known as Abraham). After a successful battle, Abram meets Melchizedek, who blesses him and offers bread and wine. In exchange, Abram tithes whatever he owns to Melchizedek. This act demonstrates Abram’s strong admiration and respect for Melchizedek.
The book of Hebrews in the New Testament mentions Melchizedek, highlighting his significance as a unique figure in biblical history. According to Hebrews 5:6, Jesus Christ is a priest “in the order of Melchizedek,” implying a spiritual bond between the two figures.
Melchizedek’s Origins
In Judaism:
Melchizedek’s beginnings are not expressly recorded in the Bible. His birth, ancestry, or death are not mentioned, leading academics to conjecture about his history and age at the time of his death. The silence surrounding his origins has resulted in numerous interpretations and ideas from various religious traditions.
Melchizedek is referred to in many ways in Jewish and Hellenistic sources. In the War of the Jews, Josephus refers to him as a “Canaanite chief,” yet in the Antiquities of the Jews, he is referred to as a priest. Philo compares Melchizedek to the Logos, God’s priest, and extols his untutored priesthood.
The Second Book of Enoch, a 1st century AD Jewish book, provides a unique tale of Melchizedek’s birth from a virgin named Sofonim, wife of Noah’s brother Nir. After his mother’s death, the boy emerges from her, already developed and marked with the priesthood’s insignia, and is subsequently saved from the Deluge by the archangel Gabriel.
Several Dead Sea Scrolls, including 11Q13 (11QMelch), portray Melchizedek as a divine figure with titles typically designated for God, such as “El” or “Elohim.” The Genesis Apocryphon repeats Genesis information.
Melchizedek is recognized in Rabbinic literature as Shem, Noah’s son, and is regarded as a priest who taught Torah to the Patriarchs. There is debate over whether Melchizedek was born in Salem (Jerusalem) or if he was a foreigner who came to serve God as a Kohen (priest).
In Christianity:
According to one hypothesis, Melchizedek was a pre-incarnate Christ who appeared to Abraham as a prediction of Jesus Christ’s future role as a high priest. The allusions in the book of Hebrews that compare Jesus to Melchizedek, emphasizing his eternal and divine character, reinforce this idea.
Melchizedek is heavily identified with Jesus Christ in the New Testament’s Epistle to the Hebrews. He is described as a “priest forever in the order of Melchizedek,” a reference to the Messiah and his eternal priesthood.
Another view holds that Melchizedek was a historical figure and the legitimate king of Salem at the time. However, historical evidence to support this is limited.
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How Old Was Melchizedek When He Died?
Melchizedek, the Bible’s mysterious person, remains a mystery, and the age at which he died is uncertain due to a lack of precise information in biblical sources. His role as both a priest and a monarch, together with his unique relationship to Jesus Christ in the New Testament, has captivated believers and scholars alike. Melchizedek is also known as the guy who was never born and never died as a result of this.
On the other hand, assuming Melchizedek was Shem, he would have been 465 years old at the time, while Abram was 75.
As we consider the significance of Melchizedek’s appearance in the Bible, it is important to remember that some historical personalities remain a mystery. The lack of specifics encourages us to delve deeper into our faith and appreciate the richness of biblical storytelling, where even seemingly insignificant characters can have great meaning.
