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Introduction

Melchizedek is one of the most enigmatic figures. He appears briefly in Genesis 14:18-20 as a priest-king of Salem who blesses Abraham. Two key sources, the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) and the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek Old Testament, offer different interpretations of Melchizedek’s role. This article explores the similarities and differences between these accounts and provides key passages from the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Who Was Melchizedek?

In Genesis 14:18-20 (LXX), Melchizedek is described as:

- King of Salem (interpreted as Jerusalem)

- Priest of the Most High God (El Elyon)

- A figure who blesses Abraham and receives a tithe from him

However, the Dead Sea Scrolls and Psalms (110:4) later expand on his identity, portraying him as an eternal priest, messianic figure, or even an angelic being.

Melchizedek in the Dead Sea Scrolls (11Q13 - 11QMelchizedek)

One of the most intriguing discussions of Melchizedek is found in the Dead Sea Scrolls (11Q13 or 11QMelchizedek), a text discovered in Cave 11 at Qumran. This document presents Melchizedek as a heavenly, possibly angelic figure who will bring divine judgment and redemption in the last days.

Key Passages from 11QMelchizedek

1. Melchizedek as a Divine Judge

"[Melchizedek] will proclaim liberty to the captives... and announce to them the Jubilee year in which all debts will be forgiven..." (11Q13, Fragment 2)

This passage echoes Isaiah 61:1-2, a prophecy about the Messiah. Here, Melchizedek is depicted as the one who brings salvation and forgiveness of sins.

2. Melchizedek vs. Belial (Satan)

"And Melchizedek will avenge the judgments of God... and the wicked one (Belial) will be defeated." (11Q13, Fragment 4)

In this passage, Melchizedek is portrayed as a divine warrior who defeats Belial (Satan), bringing justice and restoring righteousness.

3. Melchizedek as a High Priest in Heaven

"Melchizedek shall be exalted among the holy ones... He will make atonement for the sons of light..." (11Q13, Fragment 6)

This description suggests that Melchizedek is an angelic priestly figure.

Conclusion: Two Views of Melchizedek

The Dead Sea Scrolls (11QMelchizedek) depict Melchizedek as a heavenly high priest, warrior, and judge who is involved in end-time redemption.

The Septuagint (LXX) presents him as a human priest-king in Genesis 14 but hints at an eternal priesthood in Psalm 110.

Psalm 5:4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. 12 For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

Psalm 6:1 O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure. 2 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled. 10 Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled; Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.

Psalm 9:15 The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made; In the net which they hid, their own foot is caught. 17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God. 18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten; The expectation of the poor shall not perish forever.

Psalm 16:10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 18:18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the Lord was my support. 19 He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me. 34 He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. 36 You enlarged my path under me, So my feet did not slip. 44 As soon as they hear of me they obey me; The foreigners submit to me.

Psalm 19:9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Psalm 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. 16 For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet;

Psalm 25:3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. 4 Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. 6 Blessed be the Lord, Because He has heard the voice of my supplications! 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.

Psalm 28:8 The Lord is their strength, And He is the saving refuge of His anointed. 9 Save Your people, And bless Your inheritance; Shepherd them also, And bear them up forever.

Psalm 31:23 Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person. 24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 33:13 The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. 14 From the place of His dwelling He looks On all the inhabitants of the earth; 15 He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. 16 No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.