The Melchizedek Tradition
A Critical Examination of the Sources to the Fifth Century A.D. and in the Epistle to the Hebrews

Why was Melchizedek a minor figure, selected to represent the priesthood of Christ in the Epistle to the Hebrews?

Fred L. Horton Jr. (Author)

9780521018715, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 22 August 2005

208 pages
21.7 x 14 x 1.3 cm, 0.275 kg

This monograph seeks to answer the question why Melchizedek, who is a minor figure in the Old Testament, is selected by the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews to represent the priesthood of Christ. In the course of his study, Professor Horton surveys the traditions about Melchizedek from the Old Testment period, in Philo, Josephus and Qumran, to the later sources in Rabbinical and patristic writings and the Gnosticism. The book concludes with a critical examination of the claims made for the dependence of Hebrews on the Qumran figure and tradition. The author finally rejects this interpretation in favour of a source and background for Hebrews in an independent and largely original interpretation of the Old Testament passages.

Preface
Abbreviations
1. Introduction
2. The background sources I: the Old Testament
3. The background sources II: Philo, Qumran, and Josephus
4. The later sources I: the Early Church and the Rabbis
5. The later sources II: gnosticism
6. Conclusion: Melchizedek and the Epistle to the Hebrews
Select bibliography
Indexes.

Subject Areas: Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG]