By Maria Merola
© Copyright Double Portion Inheritance, January 2016
The identity of this elusive figure named “Melchizedek” has been a mystery to many since the Towrah has been scribed by the Patriarch Mosheh (Moses). To those who have “eyes to see and ears to hear,” it is not a mystery who this man was, and is.
The Hebrew name “Melchizedek” is a compound of two words. Malkiy means “king,” and “tzedeq,” means “right, or righteous.”
#H4442 Malkiy-Tzedeq mal-kee-tseh'-dek from 4428 and 6664; king of right, or King of Righteousness.
For the sake of those who are itching to know, I will get straight to the point, and come right out and tell you who Melchizedek really is.
The only problem is, the Book of Jasher has been copied by hand over the centuries, by many different Rabbis and Scribes; and each copy has it’s own bias, based on the beliefs of the one who penned it. Some copies have many errors and contradictions to the Scriptures.
Over the Centuries, the Jews (who do not believe that Yahuwshuwa is the Messiah), have surmised that Melchizedek is “Shem,” Noah’s son. However, no place in Scripture does it tell us that Noah’s son was eternal, having no genealogy, nor family lineage.
Psalms 110:4 tells us that Melchizedek is David’s Master (Lord), and that he is a “priest forever!”
The Hebrew word “forever” (owlam) means “continually, past, present and future”---in other words, ALWAYS!
In Luke 20, our Messiah told the Pharisees that he is the same Melchizedek that David wrote about, and the same Melchizedek who met with Abraham:
Luqas (Luke) 20:
41 And he said unto them, How say they that Messiah is David’s son?
42 And David himself said in the book of Psalms, YHWH said unto my Master, Sit you on my right hand,
43 Till I make your enemies your footstool.
44 David therefore calls him Master, how is he then his son?
Did you catch this? Yahuwshuwa admitted to the Pharisees that he is Melchizedek!
Who is the Author of the Book of Hebrews?
There is strong evidence to suggest that it was Priscilla, a Roman convert to the Natzariym, and a student of the Apostle Shaul (Paul). See the following link: Priscilla, Author of the Epistle to the Hebrews?
The writer of Hebrews confirms our Messiah’s words:
Abriym (Hebrews) 7:1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high Elohiym, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him.
Abriym (Hebrews) 7:2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
Abriym (Hebrews) 7:3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of Elohiym; abides a priest CONTINUALLY [past, present, future, eternally].
Abriym (Hebrews) 7:4 Now consider how great this MAN was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
You will notice that it does not say “Now consider how great these men were!”
Melchizedek is a singular “MAN,” (Melchizedek), who spoke to the Pharisees in Luke 20 about his true identity!
He even told them that he is the very same “I AM” who met with Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3:14!
Yahuwchanon (John) 8:58 Yahuwshuwa said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.
Yahuwchanon (John) 8:58 Yahuwshuwa said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.
After the Order of a King of Righteousness?
Now, I know what many of you are going to say. You are going to say “But he is a priest after the order of Melchizedek.”
The Hebrew word for “order” is “dibrah,” which means “A reason, a cause, intent, style.”
The Hebrew word “after,” means “above, over, against, upon.”
Therefore, we can understand this verse to say the following:
Tehilliym (Psalm) 110:4 “...You are a priest forever because you are above all other kings and priests, as the King of Righteousness.”
Aleph Qorintiym (1st Corinthians) 15:20 But now is Messiah risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept.
Aleph Qorintiym (1st Corinthians) 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
Aleph Qorintiym (1st Corinthians) 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Messiah shall all be made alive.
Aleph Qorintiym (1st Corinthians) 15:23 But EVERY MAN IN HIS OWN ORDER: MESSIAH, THE FIRST-FRUITS; AFTERWARD, they that are Messiah’s at his coming.
In other words, our Messiah is the first man from eternity to put on human flesh, (and then be killed); Afterward, he resurrected and changed his form back to immorality!
Therefore, if we belong to Messiah, we are next in line after him to inherit the same thing!
This is what is meant by “After the order of.”
After the Similitude of a King of Righteousness?
Whenever I have this discussion with those who want to deny that our Messiah is the same Melchizedek who met with Abraham, they single out this word “similitude.”
This word in Greek is #3665: homoiotes, which means “resemblance, likeness.”
At first glance, it seems as if Hebrews 7:15 is describing another guy with the name “Melchizedek,” who is similar to the one who met with Abraham.
Abriym (Hebrews) 7:15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there arises another priest...
Melchizedek is not a name, it’s a title that means “King of Righteousness,” or simply “Righteous King.”
The Greek word for “arises” is “anistemi,” which literally means “to arise, to raise up, to stand up.”
In other words, this is describing a priest who resurrects from the dead!
But why does it say “another priest?” The Greek word for “another” is “heteros,” which means “altered, different, strange.”
This is the same word that is used in the 2nd chapter of Acts, when their appeared to the disciples cloven tongues of fire. It uses the word heteros, meaning a strange and different kind of tongues!
In other words, Hebrews 7:15 is telling us that there “Arose from the dead, another kind of priest!”
This strange, and altered kind of being is not like the mortal priesthood that we witnessed with the Sons of Aaron.
Hebrews 7:15 is telling us that a “different kind of priest,” (one who never dies) would resurrect and change history. Its not telling us that there were other men in the past who took on the title of Melchizedek!
The only exception is with King David who functioned in the role of a king and priest. I will expound further on this later.
Corroborating Witnesses
Just in case you are tempted to think that another similar guy came along, and used the same title (Melchizedek), we will see in the following passages, that there is only one high priest who has passed into the heavens, and his name is Yahuwshuwa (Joshua).
He is just like the High Priest in Zechariah 6:11 who is given “many crowns,” and whose name is called “The Branch.”
Abriym (Hebrews) 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Yahuwshuwa the Son of Elohyim, let us hold fast our profession.
*Explanation: Did you catch that? There is only one heavenly high priest whose name is Yahuwshuwa!
Abriym (Hebrews) 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
*Explanation: Can you think of another mortal human being who was tempted like we are, and yet he never sinned? Of course not! The one who overcame the temptation to sin on our behalf is Yahuwshuwa, our Messiah!
Abriym (Hebrews) 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Abriym (Hebrews) 7:17 For he testifies, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
What Other High Priest Was Installed With an Oath?
Abriym (Hebrews) 7:20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
Abriym (Hebrews) 7:21 For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, YHWH sware and will not repent, You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Abriym (Hebrews) 7:22 By so much was Yahuwshuwa made a surety of a better covenant.
*Explanation: The Hebrew word for “oath” is “sheba,” which means “To make an oath by repeating seven times.”
Seven is the number that symbolizes “covenant,” and this is why it is important to understand that this same Melchizedek was installed into his role as the Kinsman Redeemer with an oath!
To learn more, see my other blog: The Father & the Son Seen in Judah, the Kinsman Redeemer
Only One High Priest Can Save us to the Utter Most!
Ibriym (Hebrews) 7:23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
Ibriym (Hebrews) 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto Elohiym by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 7:26 For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Ibriym (Hebrews) 7:27 Who needs not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 7:28 For the Torah (law) makes men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the Torah (law), makes the Son, who is consecrated forevermore.
*Explanation: The Law of Moses made mortals into High Priests after the Sons of Aaron. However, after the Torah (law) was given on Mount Sinai, “The word of the oath” was spoken through King David in Psalm 110:4.
What about Hebrews 8:4?
To answer this question, we must understand that our Messiah’s finished work as “The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” was already accomplished in eternity, before he came in the flesh (Revelation 13:8).
Ibriym (Hebrews) 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Psalm 110:4 declares that our Messiah (David’s master) is “A priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
But let’s get something straight. Our Messiah is the “first” in his order!
1st Qorintiym (Corinthians) 15:23 But every man in his own order: Messiah, the first-fruits; afterward they that are Messiah’s at his coming.
This means that YaHuWaH (who slaughtered a lamb for Adam & Eve in the garden) was the first High Priest to ever exist in eternity! And just because he came in the flesh as a human being, does not invalidate his role as a High Priest.
The ones that come after him, (at his return) are his “Royal Priesthood.”
1st Keefa (Peter) 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
Those that will serve with Messiah as “kings & priests” in the New Millennium, will take their office as immortal, eternal priests, only after they have put on incorruption (1st Corinthians 15:50-53; Revelation 1:6; 5:10).
Tehilliym (Psalm) 110:4 YHWH has sworn, and will not repent, You are a priest forever after the order of Malkiy-Tzedeq (Melchizedek).
*Note: The word “forever” in the above passage is “owlam,” meaning “continually, ancient, beginning of the world, perpetual.”
This means that Messiah has always been a priest in eternity!
Now, comes the verse that is often taken out of its context:
Ibriym (Hebrews) 8:4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law.
What is being communicated here? If our Messiah is a “priest continually,” how is it that he ceased to be a priest during his earthly ministry? Do you see the problem here?
He cannot be a perpetual and continual priest, while at the same time, ceasing to be so, while here on earth. The Hebrew word “forever” (owlam) means “continually, perpetual, past, present and future”---in other words, ALWAYS!
We would have to attribute falsehood to Psalm 110:4, to interpret Hebrews 8:4 to mean that he was not a priest during his earthly ministry!
Therefore, the interpretation of Hebrews 8:4 is simply stating that if Messiah had not already been a priest in heaven, (that is, if he had not been conceived by the Holy Spirit), and he was just an ordinary human being, he could not have been a priest, because, he was not from the Tribe of Levi, but rather from Judah!
And yet, the answer to this puzzle is confirmed all the more, by reading Hebrews 7:14, which says:
“For it is evident, that our Master sprang out of Yahuwdah (Judah), of which tribe, Mosheh spoke nothing concerning priesthood.”
In other words, Hebrews 8:4 is telling us that if he had been born like any other human being, (because he was from the Tribe of Judah), he would not have been eligible for priesthood!
But since Melchizedek is from eternity, (and he was born into the Tribe of Judah), we must conclude that he is the first of his kind, and he is!
Why Does Judaism Teach that Melchizedek is Shem?
The prophet Isaiah prophesied that the nation of Yisra’el would become “deaf and blind” to the prophecies that were taking place right before their eyes concerning the awaited Messiah:
Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 6:9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear you indeed, but understand not; and see you indeed, but perceive not.
The Apostle Sha’uwl (Paul) repeated the same concept, citing that to this day, the nation of Yisra’el does not see who their Messiah is:
2nd Qorintiym (Corinthians) 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same vail untaken away in the reading of the Tanakh (old testament); which vail is done away in Mashiyach (Messiah).
Our Messiah quoted the prophet Isaiah citing that Yisra’el was deaf and blind to the identity of their Messiah:
Yahuwchanon (John) 12:40 He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Yeshayahuw (Isaiah), which said, By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive:
Marqos (Mark) 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
Luqas (Luke) 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
It is for this reason, that the Jewish Talmud has erroneously established a tradition, stating that the son of Noah named “Shem” is the one who met with Abraham in Genesis 14:18.
It is for this reason, that the Jewish Talmud has erroneously established a tradition, stating that the son of Noah named “Shem” is the one who met with Abraham in Genesis 14:18.
In order to understand why Shem, (the son of Noah), is not the same Melchizedek who met with Abraham in Genesis 14:18, we must first understand the importance of the role of the High Priest each year on Yom Kippur. You see, the redemption of Yisra’el depended solely on the role of the High Priest, called the “Kohen ha’Godowl.”
The instructions for the High Priest each year on Yom Kippur are detailed in Leviticus 16. For a more thorough explanation of Yom Kippur, see my other article entitled: “The Yom Kippur Twin Goats Fulfilled in Messiah.”
If the High Priest had any personal sins for which he had not fully repented of, there was always the possibility that he could die behind the veil in the Holy of Holies. This would render the nation of
This is the reason why it was absolutely necessary that an eternal High Priest (who could never die behind the veil) would once-and-for-all-time redeem Yisra’el. No mortal human being could fill that role, and this means that Shem, (the son of Noah) would not qualify to be the High Priest forever for Yisra’el.
Pictured to the left is an illustration of Melchizedek who met with Abraham and blessed him (Genesis 14:18). Melchizedek is described as “The king of Salem,” which is an ancient name for Jerusalem.
Our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa declared that he existed before Abraham, and there is nobody else in scripture who has made this claim before:
Yahuwchanon (John) 8:58 “…Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.”
Melchizedek is also one who never dies because “he has an endless life” and he abides continually as a priest forever (Hebrews 7:16; Psalm 110:4).
Yahuwchanon (John) 8:58 “…Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.”
Melchizedek is also one who never dies because “he has an endless life” and he abides continually as a priest forever (Hebrews 7:16; Psalm 110:4).
Hebrews 7:3 tells us that Melchizedek was “Made like unto” the “Son of Elohiym” (God). What does this mean? To answer this question, we must first ask “Who was the firstborn son of Elohiym?” In Jeremiah 31:9, and Exodus 4:22, the nation of Yisra’el is called “my firstborn son.” Therefore, our Messiah (who had an eternal, infinite existence as Melchizedek), was “made like” the firstborn son, Yisra’el!
In other words, the Creator of heaven and earth made himself into a mortal, finite human being, so that he could die in our place!
The Greek phrase “made like unto” is just one Greek word, which is
“aphomoioo.” This word means “to assimilate closely.” Although Melchizedek is eternal (having neither beginning of days, nor end of life), he also had a finite existence in this dimension called “linear time.”
Outside of this earthly time-continuum, he continued in his infinite existence at the same time. As one who is “omnipresent,” (meaning everywhere at once), he was able to be the infinite High Priest in eternity, while at the same time, taking on the role of the “first-born son,” (the nation of Yisra’el).
Elohiym, himself, put on human flesh:
Yahuwchanon (John) 1:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohiym, and the Word was Elohiym.
2 The same was in the beginning with Elohiym.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Melchizedek has no earthly father, and no earthly mother, because he always existed in eternity. However, he “became like” the nation of Yisra’el as he came to portray the role of the “first-born son.”
Jeremiah 31:9 tells us that YaHuWaH is a “Father to Yisra’el, and Ephrayim is my first-born.”
Melchizedek has always existed in eternity. Yet, he revealed himself as the Father in the Tanakh (Old Testament), and he revealed himself as the Son in the Briyth Chadashah (New Testament).
In Psalm 110:4, King David wrote:
“YaHuWaH said unto my master, Sit you at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”
In the King James Version, this same verse reads as follows:
“The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”
The word “LORD” in all capital letters is #3068 in the Strong’s Hebrew Concordance rendered as “Yehovah” (YaHuWaH in Ancient Hebrew).
The second word for “Lord” in this passage is #113 in the Strong’s Hebrew Concordance and it is the word “adon” which means “master or sovereign.”
This prophecy was given by King David, but King David is also a prophetic “type” of Messiah, who is from the House of Yahuwdah (Judah). Our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa was born into the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah), because Melchizedek is BOTH a “king & priest.”
According to Genesis 49:10, the scepter to rule as king was given to Judah. Romans 1:3 also states: “Concerning his Son Yahuwshuwa Messiah, our Master, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.”
This means that the Spirit of Yah fertilized the egg of Miryam and conceived our Messiah in her womb.
However, our Messiah never sinned during his entire earthly life (Hebrews 4:15; 2nd Corinthians 5:21). But we know that King David sinned, and therefore, we must ask the question: “How was our Messiah sinless if he inherited the sinful bloodline of his ancestor David?”
Biology proves that the mother’s blood never touches the baby in the womb during gestation. Pictured here is a diagram illustrating this. The child’s umbilical cord is attached to the placenta. It is the placenta which is attached to the mother.
The placenta acts like a giant clearing house for the baby, taking nutrients and other things out of the mother’s blood, and passing them on to the baby’s blood stream through the umbilical cord. Therefore, the egg of Miryam (Mary) contributed to Yahuwshuwa’s physical body, but his blood was from the Father in heaven!
Ron Wyatt, the late archaeologist discovered that our Messiah did not have human blood. Leviticus 17:11 declares that “The life of the flesh is in the blood.” This means that the life of the Heavenly Father was in the blood of our Messiah!
There was an earth-quake immediately following Yahuwshuwa’s
death on the cross. The rocks below him split at the same time, and the temple curtain (the veil) was also torn in half (Matthew 27:54).
As a result, his blood dripped from his body, (and through the crack in the earth below) to where Jeremiah had hidden “The Ark of the Covenant” many years earlier before the Babylonian Captivity. This means that our Messiah’s blood dripped from where he hung on the tree onto the mercy seat below!
According to the research of Ron Wyatt, Messiah’s blood contained only 24 chromosomes. Every human being is born with 46 chromosomes (23 from our mother and 23 from our father).
Each person receives 22 autosomes from their mother and 22 autosomes from their father.
When a human being is being formed in the womb, the baby receives an “X” chromosome from their mother and either an “X” or a “Y” chromosome from their father which will determine the gender of the child.
If the child is going to be a female, she receives an “X” from her mother and an “X” from her father. But if the child is going to be a male, he receives an “X” from his mother and a “Y” chromosome from his Father.
If the child is going to be a female, she receives an “X” from her mother and an “X” from her father. But if the child is going to be a male, he receives an “X” from his mother and a “Y” chromosome from his Father.
Yahuwshuwa was born with 22 autosomes from his mother Miryam, and one “X” chromosome from her totaling 23 chromosomes. And then he received a “Y” chromosome from his Heavenly Father which determined that his gender would be male!
After watching this video, of the late Ron Wyatt’s research, you will see that the blood that was in our Messiah’s veins was the Heavenly Father’s blood.
His blood had to be perfect and sinless, otherwise, he could not have atoned for the sins of humanity. If our Messiah had inherited human blood from his ancestor King David, he would have inherited a fallen nature like Adam & Eve after they sinned in the garden. This would have rendered his sacrifice as defiled and worthless---unable to atone for the sins of mankind.
Watch this video to hear Ron Wyatt’s testimony about our Messiah’s blood:
The Book of Jasher Names Shem as Melchizedek
I have cited the book of Jasher in some of my other articles, where more information about Nimrod is given.
However, when it comes to the three differing versions of “The book of Jasher,” we must take the contents therein with a “grain of salt;” only adhering to those things which are supported by two or three witnesses from Scripture.
However, when it comes to the three differing versions of “The book of Jasher,” we must take the contents therein with a “grain of salt;” only adhering to those things which are supported by two or three witnesses from Scripture.
In 2nd Samuel 1:18 & Joshua 10:13, we are told that the book of Jasher is considered a part of Scripture. However, what we have today called “The Book of Jasher,” cannot be the original, as it only dates back to as early as the 1600’s, and as late as the 1800’s.
As I will explain in more detail, (later-on in this article), there are three versions of the book of Jasher, and all three of them were compiled by Jewish Rabbis who took much of their sources from the Oral Traditions known as the Jewish Talmud.
This means that while some of it may be accurate, much of it is subject to human error; because it is based on the recollection of events passed down orally throughout the ages.
The book of Jasher tells us that Melchizedek is Noah’s son named “Shem,” but rather than use the term “Melchizedek,” the book of Jasher uses the name “Adonizedek.”
The word “Adoni” means “Master” or “Lord,” and the word “zedek” (tzedeq) means “righteous.” Hence, the name “Adonizedek” means “The Lord is righteous.”
After the Babylonian Captivity, the Jewish Scribes stopped pronouncing the Father’s name, “YaHuWaH” whenever they read the Hebrew Scriptures. They kept the letters to this name intact, but when reading the Scriptures aloud, they replaced his proper name with the title “Adonai.”
The account in the book of Jasher matches the account seen in Genesis 14, except for the fact that Jasher changes the name of Melchizedek (King of Righteousness) to “Adonizedek” (The Lord is Righteous). This change is peculiar, because while the two accounts sound very similar, the name change reveals that this is a pseudo manuscript.
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 14:
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high Elohiym.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high Elohiym, possessor of heaven and earth:
20 And blessed be the most high Elohiym, which has delivered your enemies into your hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
Yashar (Jasher) 16:
11 And Adonizedek [Melchizedek] 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.
12 And Adonizedek [Melchizedek] blessed Abram, and Abram gave him a tenth from all that he had brought from the spoil of his enemies, for Adonizedek [Melchizedek] was a priest before Elohiym (God).
Now this is a curious thing, because there is no mention of “The Valley of Melech” any place in Scripture. There is also no place in Scripture where we are told that Shem, the son of Noah was a High Priest.
Additionally, we are told in Hebrews 7:14 that Melchizedek “Sprang out of Judah,” and there is no mention of Noah nor his sons, being from the Tribe of Judah. Judah was the fourth son of Jacob, but he had not yet been born at the time when Abraham met with Melchizedek. Hence, there was no Tribe of Judah here on earth.
We are also told in Hebrews 7:3 that Melchizedek has “No father, no mother, no descendant, neither beginning of days nor end of life.”
We are also told in Hebrews 7:3 that Melchizedek has “No father, no mother, no descendant, neither beginning of days nor end of life.”
In other words, there was no record of his genealogy. Shem, on the other hand has descendants, and his genealogy is indeed recorded in Scripture.
Shem also died 500 years after the flood, whereas the description of Melchizedek is one who is eternal, because he “Abides as a priest continually.” This means that Melchizedek has always existed, and he has “an endless life.” This is in no way describing the mortal human being named “Shem.”
The first mention of Jerusalem is in the the book of Joshua. Here, we see that this king named Adonizedek is mentioned, but he is not called by the name of Shem, and neither is he said to be a high priest:
Yahuwshuwa (Joshua) 10:1 Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard (shama) how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;
Yahuwshuwa (Joshua) 10:3 Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem, sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon....
*Note: It is interesting to see that the Hebrew word “shema,” which means “to hear,” is seen in the text, referring to King Adonizedek having “heard” that Joshua had taken Ai and destroyed it. Is it possible that the scribes missed the last letter of this word in one of the manuscripts? Could it be that there is a missing “ayin,” and this led to the idea that Adonizedek was “Shem?”
The first mention of Jerusalem is in the the book of Joshua. Here, we see that this king named Adonizedek is mentioned, but he is not called by the name of Shem, and neither is he said to be a high priest:
Yahuwshuwa (Joshua) 10:1 Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard (shama) how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;
Yahuwshuwa (Joshua) 10:3 Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem, sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon....
*Note: It is interesting to see that the Hebrew word “shema,” which means “to hear,” is seen in the text, referring to King Adonizedek having “heard” that Joshua had taken Ai and destroyed it. Is it possible that the scribes missed the last letter of this word in one of the manuscripts? Could it be that there is a missing “ayin,” and this led to the idea that Adonizedek was “Shem?”
Let me explain further. The original Hebrew Scriptures were written without vowel points. It was not until the 9th Century that the Masoretes (Hebrew Scribes) added the vowel points which expanded the Hebrew alphabet. Prior to that, people had to read the Scriptures without vowels, as they had to figure out what the word was, based on “context.”
With the addition of vowel points, it made things easier to understand. However, what if one the scribes accidentally missed the letter “ayin?” Or what if one of the manuscripts contained a missing “ayin” in Joshua 10:1, where the word “shema” (heard) was taken to mean the son of Noah, named “Shem?”
Below I have made an illustration of these two different words in Ancient Paleo Pictographs as well as Modern Hebrew to show that the words “shema” and “shem” are very similar.
My Hypothesis
I pose a hypothetical explanation as to how Shem became known as Melchizedek. As we can see by the above illustration, the missing “ayin” (which means “the eye”), from the word “shema” (to hear), would mean that Yisra’el has been blinded to who Melchizedek really is!
I postulate that it’s because they will not “hear” (shema), nor pronounce the “shem” (name) of YaHuWaH!
Could it be that their unwillingness to publish the name of YaHuWaH has caused their deafness and blindness?
For more history about how the name of YaHuWaH has been hidden by the House of Judah, see my other articles below:
“My People Shall Know My Name!”
“The Covenant Name of Salvation Revealed.”
Of course, I am merely speculating as to how the idea of Shem being Melchizedek even came to be. However, if there is no record of Shem ever being a High Priest, how can we make this into a doctrine?
It is important to understand the rules of establishing doctrine. Our Messiah taught us in Luke 24:44 that there are three witnesses in Scripture which testify of him (Towrah, Prophets & Psalms). Yahuwshuwa said:
“All things written about me in the Towrah (law), Prophets and Psalms must be fulfilled.”
These three witnesses must be consulted, in order to establish any matter concerning doctrine. If a doctrine cannot be supported by these two or three witnesses, we are not to adhere to that doctrine. This is the pattern seen in the Towrah for establishing all doctrine and all matters of judging situations:
Debariym (Deuteronomy) 17:6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
Debariym (Deuteronomy) 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
*Note: As you can see, one witness is not sufficient to support a matter or a doctrine.
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 18:16 But if he will not hear you, then take with you one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
2nd Qorintiym (Corinthians ) 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
These three witnesses must be consulted, in order to establish any matter concerning doctrine. If a doctrine cannot be supported by these two or three witnesses, we are not to adhere to that doctrine. This is the pattern seen in the Towrah for establishing all doctrine and all matters of judging situations:
Debariym (Deuteronomy) 17:6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
Debariym (Deuteronomy) 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
*Note: As you can see, one witness is not sufficient to support a matter or a doctrine.
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 18:16 But if he will not hear you, then take with you one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
2nd Qorintiym (Corinthians ) 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
1st Timotiyos (Timothy) 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
Abriym (Hebrews) 10:28 He that despised Mosheh’s Towrah (law) died without mercy under two or three witnesses.
Abriym (Hebrews) 10:28 He that despised Mosheh’s Towrah (law) died without mercy under two or three witnesses.
Melchizedek therefore, cannot be Shem, (the son of Noah), for the following reasons:
1.) We do have a record of Shem’s genealogy in scripture.
2.) Shem does have descendants as recorded in scripture.
3.) Shem died 500 years after the flood (Genesis 11:11), so he cannot be a “priest forever” with an “endless life” (Hebrews 7:16).
4.) There is no record of Shem ever being a High Priest in scripture.
5.) There is no record of the “Valley of Melech” any place in scripture.
6.) The fourth son of Jacob named Judah had not been born yet in the days of Abraham, and Melchizedek is said to have come from the Tribe of Judah (Hebrews 7:14; Genesis 49:10).
There are four witnesses in scripture showing that Melchizedek is a priest forever.
Tehilliym (Psalm) 110:4 YHWH has sworn, and will not repent, You are a priest forever after the order of Malkiy-Tzedeq (Melchizedek).
Abriym (Hebrews) 5:6 As he says also in another place, You are a priest forever after the order of Malkiy-Tzedeq (Melchizedek).
Abriym (Hebrews) 7:17 For he testifies, You are a priest forever after the order of Malkiy-Tzedeq (Melchizedek).
Abriym (Hebrews) 7:21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, YHWH sware and will not repent, You are a priest forever after the order of Malkiy-Tzedeq (Melchizedek).
Do you still need proof that Melchizedek is not Shem, the son of Noah?
If there is any doubt in your mind, there are several forgeries of the original Book of Jasher which contain several contradictions to Scripture. The website below gives an exhaustive list of contradictions from the various versions of the “pseudo” Books of Jasher:
There are two references to the Book of Jasher, which mean righteous or upright. The story of Joshua and the day the sun stood still is contained in it (Joshua 10:13). David’s Song of the Bow is contained in it (2nd Samuel 1:17-18)….There are three sources for the various Books of Jasher in existence:
1). A treatise on Jewish ritual, written by Rabbi Tham prior to his death in 1171. It was printed in Italy in 1544 and has been titled the Book of Jasher.
2). An unknown Spanish Jew wrote a book [of Jasher] that was used as the introduction to the Hexateuch in the 13th Century. It was published in Venice in 1625.
3). Rabbi Shabbatai Carmuz Levita, wrote a book that was called the Book of Jasher in 1391. It has been preserved in a Vatican manuscript.
“…None of the three versions of the Book of Jasher are ancient writings. Each are relatively modern and became the focus of hoaxes....Scholars have examined this document....It is a printed document. If there was a manuscript that it came from, it has been lost...The earliest version only dates back to 1625....In other words, there is no proof that this document existed before 1625. The conclusion of the examiners was that the manuscript was “humanist Jewish fiction.’”
Contradictions from Pseudo-Jasher to the Bible:
1). Abram and Sarai’s relationship
a). Genesis 11:31 And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
b). “And Sarai, the daughter of Haran, Abram’s wife” (Book of Jasher 16:23).
2). When did Abram leave Haran?
a). Genesis 12:4 So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
b). “Arise now, take thy wife and all belonging to thee and go to the land of Canaan and remain there, and I will there be unto thee for a God, and I will bless thee. And Abram rose and took his wife and all belonging to him, and he went to the land of Canaan as the Lord had told him; and Abram was fifty years old when he went from Haran” (Book of Jasher 13:5).
3). Where did Jacob flee?
a). Genesis 28:5 And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s and Esau’s mother.
b). “And Jacob was very much afraid of his brother Esau, and he rose up and fled to the house of Eber the son of Shem, and he concealed himself there on account of his brother, and Jacob was sixty-three years old when he went forth from the land of Canaan from Hebron, and Jacob was concealed in Eber’s house fourteen years on account of his brother Esau, and he there continued to learn the ways of the Lord and his commandments” (Book of Jasher 29:11).
4). Could Simeon be bound?
a). Genesis 42:24 And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.
b). “And Joseph went out from them and came into the chamber, and wept a great weeping, for his pity was excited for them, and he washed his face, and returned to them again, and he took Simeon from them and ordered him to be bound, but Simeon was not willing to be done so, for he was a very powerful man and they could not bind him.” (Book of Jasher 51:37).
5). Where and when did Moses flee?
a). Moses was forty when he struck down the Egyptian - Acts 7:23
b). He was eighty when he saw the burning bush - Acts 7:30
c). “Chapter 71 of Jasher states that Moses was 18 years old when he left Egypt. (Could this be Rabbinical tradition?) He didn’t go to Midian but to Cush and becomes king (72:34-36) and is king over Cush for forty years (73:2), then he goes to Midian where Reuel puts him in prison for 10 years because Reuel thinks Moses is wanted by the Cushites.” [Deane Schaub, An Overview of the Book of Jasher, Logos Resource Pages].
6). How many plagues?
a). The Bible lists 10 plagues - Exodus 7-12.
b). The Book of Jasher lists 15 plagues (Book of Jasher 80:2-51).
7). How was the Red Sea divided?
a). The Red Sea divided into two parts - Exodus 14:22
b). “And the waters of the sea were divided into twelve parts, and the children of Israel passed through on foot, with shoes, as a man would pass through a prepared road” (Book of Jasher 81:38).
8). Where did Pharaoh die?
a). Psalms 136:15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endures forever.
b). “And the Lord manifested to the children of Israel his wonders in Egypt and in the sea by the hand of Moses and Aaron. And when the children of Israel had entered the sea, the Egyptians came after them, and the waters of the sea resumed upon them, and they all sank in the water, and not one man was left excepting Pharaoh, who gave thanks to the Lord and believed in him, therefore the Lord did not cause him to perish at that time with the Egyptians.
And the Lord ordered an angel to take him from amongst the Egyptians, who cast him upon the land of Ninevah and he reigned over it for a long time” (Book of Jasher 81:39-41).
With all of these contradictions in the various versions of the Book of Jasher, there is no credible witness from scripture telling us that Shem was Melchizedek. Now that I have sufficiently proven that Shem, the son of Noah cannot be the same Melchizedek who met with Abraham, let me illustrate the importance of understanding why Melchizedek could not have been a mere mortal.
Beloved, unless you understand the fundamental reasons behind the ordinances of Yom Kippur and the role of the Kohen ha’Gadowl (High Priest), then the identity of Melchizedek is of no importance to you. Unless you understand the purpose of the “Law of the Kinsman Redeemer,” you will fail to understand why Melchizedek cannot be a mortal human being with a finite existence.
Bamiydbar (Numbers) 27:
8 And you shall speak unto the children of Yisra’el, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.
9 And if he have no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance unto his brethren.
10 And if he have no brethren, then you shall give his inheritance unto his father’s brethren [his uncle].
11 And if his father have no brethren, then you shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Yisra’el a statute of judgment, as YHWH commanded Moshe (Moses).
The Hebrew word for “Kinsman” is seen in the Concordance:
#H1350 Ga’al: to redeem; act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman; to act as kinsman, do the part of next of kin, act as kinsman-redeemer by marrying brother’s widow to beget a child for him, to redeem from slavery; to redeem land, to exact vengeance; to buy back a relative’s property; marry his widow; avenger, deliver; purchase.
This is what happened to Naomi in the Book of Ruth. Naomi had a husband named Elimelech who died, and his close relative was Boaz. Naomi & Elimelech also had two sons who also died, therefore, there was no son to pass on the inheritance to. The only way that Naomi could inherit the land that belonged to her dead husband is if she married a close relative of her dead husband and bore him a son.
With all of these contradictions in the various versions of the Book of Jasher, there is no credible witness from scripture telling us that Shem was Melchizedek. Now that I have sufficiently proven that Shem, the son of Noah cannot be the same Melchizedek who met with Abraham, let me illustrate the importance of understanding why Melchizedek could not have been a mere mortal.
Beloved, unless you understand the fundamental reasons behind the ordinances of Yom Kippur and the role of the Kohen ha’Gadowl (High Priest), then the identity of Melchizedek is of no importance to you. Unless you understand the purpose of the “Law of the Kinsman Redeemer,” you will fail to understand why Melchizedek cannot be a mortal human being with a finite existence.
The Law of the Kinsman Redeemer
Bamiydbar (Numbers) 27:
8 And you shall speak unto the children of Yisra’el, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.
9 And if he have no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance unto his brethren.
10 And if he have no brethren, then you shall give his inheritance unto his father’s brethren [his uncle].
11 And if his father have no brethren, then you shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Yisra’el a statute of judgment, as YHWH commanded Moshe (Moses).
The Hebrew word for “Kinsman” is seen in the Concordance:
#H1350 Ga’al: to redeem; act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman; to act as kinsman, do the part of next of kin, act as kinsman-redeemer by marrying brother’s widow to beget a child for him, to redeem from slavery; to redeem land, to exact vengeance; to buy back a relative’s property; marry his widow; avenger, deliver; purchase.
This is what happened to Naomi in the Book of Ruth. Naomi had a husband named Elimelech who died, and his close relative was Boaz. Naomi & Elimelech also had two sons who also died, therefore, there was no son to pass on the inheritance to. The only way that Naomi could inherit the land that belonged to her dead husband is if she married a close relative of her dead husband and bore him a son.
But Naomi was too old to bear children. And so her daughter-in-law, Ruth married the close relative of Naomi’s husband named Boaz. In this story, we see a prophetic picture of the nation of Yisra’el typified in Naomi (the widow). Her husband’s name Elimelech means “Elohiym the King.”
Debariym (Deuteronomy) 25:5 If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband’s brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother unto her.
This signifies that Yisra’el (just like Naomi) was married to the Creator, Elohiym who is the King. The two sons of Naomi & Elimelech represent “Both Houses of Yisra’el” who also died because of their rebellion.
The only people who were left to Naomi were her two daughters-in-law by her two dead sons. After the two sons of Naomi died, the Gentile daughter-in-law of Naomi named Orpah went back to her family and to her pagan gods in Moab. But Ruth refused to go back to her family in Moab and to her pagan gods.
Ruth instead chose to go back to Bethlehem-Judah with Naomi as she declared to her “Wherever you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge: your people shall be my people, and your Elohiym my Elohiym” (Ruth 1:16).
When Ruth, the Moabite did this, she crossed over from being a Gentile to becoming a Yahuwdiy (Jew).
This concept is seen in Ezekiel 47:22 where we are told that any stranger could join the tribe of their choosing and they would then become a member of that tribe and thus be able to inherit land from that tribe. Ruth ultimately married the close relative of Naomi’s dead husband, named Boaz, and this is how the “Law of the Kinsman Redeemer” was fulfilled for Naomi. Another similar law is called “The Duty of a Husband’s Brother,” or a “Yabam.”
*Note: the Hebrew phrase “perform the duty of a husband’s brother” is seen as follows in the Strong’s Hebrew Concordance:
#2993 yabam yaw-bawm’ from (the orig. of) 2992; a brother-in-law:--husband’s brother.
#2992 yabam yaw-bam’ a primitive root of doubtful meaning; used only as a denominative from 2993; to marry a (deceased) brother’s widow:--perform the duty of a husband’s brother, marry.
#2993 yabam yaw-bawm’ from (the orig. of) 2992; a brother-in-law:--husband’s brother.
#2992 yabam yaw-bam’ a primitive root of doubtful meaning; used only as a denominative from 2993; to marry a (deceased) brother’s widow:--perform the duty of a husband’s brother, marry.
Debariym (Deuteronomy) 25:
6 And it shall be, that the first-born which she bears shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Yisra’el.
7 And if the man like not to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband’s brother refuses to raise up unto his brother a name in Yisra’el, he will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother.
8 Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her;
9 Then shall his brother’s wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother’s house.
10 And his name shall be called in Yisra’el, “The house of him that has his shoe loosed.”
Have you ever wondered why Yahuwchanon the Immerser (John the Baptist) said these words concerning our Messiah?
Yahuwchanon (John) 1:27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
The reason why Yahuwchanon (John) said these words, is because he knew that Yahuwshuwa was the only one who qualified to do the duty of a yabam or a kinsman redeemer!
The earthly High Priests of the sons of Aaron did not qualify (because they were mortals who eventually died); The Tribe of Judah also refused to perform the duty of a kinsman, and therefore, our Messiah had to bear the guilt and shame for those who refused to redeem the Ten Lost Tribes of the House of Yisra’el.
See my other article entitled: The Father & the Son Seen in Judah, the Kinsman Redeemer
Now, you may be asking yourself, “What does the law of the kinsman redeemer have to do with Melchizedek?”
You see, a dead husband cannot redeem the widow’s land nor her inheritance. Only a living husband can do this! And so if the priesthood after the Levitical order is made up of mortals, this means that these mortal High Priests could never permanently redeem Yisra’el, the widow!
Every year on Yom Kippur, the High Priest could only atone for the sins of the nation for that year. The same sacrifices had to be repeated over and over again each year.
But once our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa came as Melchizedek, there was no longer the need for sacrifices on Yom Kippur, because his once-and-for-all sacrifice atoned for the sins of man-kind forever more!
Do you see this, beloved? Melchizedek had to be a High Priest who could never die behind the veil in the Holy of Holies! He had to be a High Priest who is eternal and infinite!
Yom Kippur Explained
Leviticus 16 gives us the instructions through Moses for all Yisra’el on how to keep Yom Kippur.
The High Priest (Kohen ha’Gadowl) was to take two goats and present them before YaHuWaH at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. He was to cast lots for the goats---one for YaHuWaH and the other for “Azazel” which literally means: “The goat of removal” or “The scapegoat.”
Two goats were to be brought before him. He would place his hands on their heads and confess the sins of the people. One would be slaughtered as a sacrifice to YaHuWaH.
When Yahuwshuwa came to Yahuwchanon (John) to be baptized, John was the true High Priest (a Levite) that was to offer the “sacrificial goat” that year while Caiaphas, the High Priest was an impostor who was an Edomite appointed by Rome. John immediately recognized that Elohiym had selected the sacrificial goat that year for Yom Kippur:
Yahuwchanon (John) 1:29 The next day John saw Yahuwshuwa coming unto him, and said, Behold the Lamb of Elohiym, which takes away the sin of the world.
Yahuwchanon (John) knew that Yahuwshuwa was about to become the “sacrificial goat” and that he would be “sent” into the wilderness also as the “scapegoat” to “take away” the sins of the world into the wilderness!
John placed his hand on Yahuwshuwa’s head just as the High Priest did to the scapegoat. The scriptures tell us that the second goat is to be offered to “Azazel,” which is a Hebrew word that literally means the following in the Hebrew Strong’s Concordance:
#5799 ‘aza’zel az-aw-zale from 5795 and 235; goat of departure; the scapegoat:--scapegoat.
The root-words for “Azazel,” are #5795 (ez) which means “she-goat,” and the other is #235 (azal) which means “to go away.”
The idea behind the scapegoat is that he is to be sent out into the desert, separated from the people “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalms 103:12).
He escapes death, but he carries the sins of the people with him to his dying day. They sinned, he suffers. They were guilty, he pays the price. That’s what the word “scapegoat” has come to mean: “an innocent person who takes the blame for the guilty party.”
Who does this she-goat represent? We get a hint from the prophet Jeremiah:
Yirmeyahuw (Jeremiah) 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Yisra’el committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Yahuwdah (Judah) feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
Yirmeyahuw (Jeremiah) 3:20 Surely as a wife treacherously departs from her husband, so have you dealt treacherously with me, O house of Yisra’el, says YHWH.
Yirmeyahuw (Jeremiah) 24:5 Thus says YHWH the Elohiym of Yisra’el; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Yahuwdah (Judah), whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good.
As you can see from the above verses, both houses of Yisra’el “departed” from the covenant, therefore they were both “sent away.”
This explains why Yahuwshuwa had to portray both the sacrificial goat (the one who is killed) and the scapegoat (the one who is sent away). Its because both houses of Yisra’el had “departed” and later on they “killed” their own Messiah. Thus, in order to become the substitute for their sins, he had to portray both goats.
Yom Kippur literally means “Day of Atonement,” and it is the sixth of the seven biblical feasts given by Yah to the nation Yisra’el (Leviticus 23:26-32). It is observed on the tenth day of the seventh month (Tishri), it is the highest Holy Day of the feasts appointed by YaHuWaH. Elohiym commanded Yisra’el to observe the Day of Atonement because they were a sinful people in need of cleansing so that they might have continued fellowship with him.
Yom Kippur is also the culmination of the “Days of Awe,” the ten-day period of self-examination and repentance that begins on Yom Teruah (Day of Blowing) on the first day of the 7th month of Tishri.
On Yom Kippur, it is believed that the books are opened in heaven during this time (Daniel 7:10, Revelation 20:12). The object of this feast is to be properly inscribed, for on Yom Kippur it is believed that the books are closed, and thus the person is sealed for the next year.
The Scriptures command Yisra’el not to perform work on the Day of Atonement and to afflict their souls (this is interpreted to mean fasting). The central figure in this biblical observance was the High Priest (Leviticus 16).
It was the High Priest who alone had to make atonement for himself, for his household, and for the people of Yisra’el. He would prepare for these most important duties, beginning seven days before Yom Kippur. The High Priest would be separated from his own household and take up residence inside the temple.
On the morning of Yom Kippur, as the people crowded outside the sanctuary, the High Priest would emerge to begin the series of rituals and offerings.
Unlike the other days of the year, the High Priest alone had to perform the daily offerings and sacrifices, in addition to the special sacrifices for the Day of Atonement. He began by removing his clothing and ceremonially cleansing himself in a special place used only on Yom Kippur.
He then donned his golden vestments and completed the morning service. He put off his golden apparel and, after washing yet again, put on the white linen garments that YaHuWaH commanded him to wear when performing the atoning sacrifices (Leviticus 16:4).
The High Priest then took a bullock that was to be offered for himself. Laying his hands on the head of the bullock, he would confess his sins and the sins of his household. Putting this bullock aside, he would take two identical goats (Leviticus 16:5) and draw lots.
These special lots were made of gold and had the inscriptions “For YaHuWaH” and “For Azazel” rendered “scapegoat” in English.
The goat, for which the lot “For YaHuWaH” fell, would be killed while the goat for which the lot “For Azazel” fell would be left alive to bear the sins of the nation.
To distinguish between these two goats, a scarlet-woolen thread would be tied to the head of the scapegoat (Hebrews 9:19). The High Priest then took the bull set aside for a sin offering and again confessed his sins and the sins of his household with his hands laid upon the bull’s head.
The bull was then slaughtered and its blood captured in a basin. The High Priest then took up a fire pan with coal in one hand and incense in his other hand and entered into the Holy of Holies. Upon placing the fire pan down between the two poles of the Ark of the Covenant, he placed the incense on the coals. The smoke that resulted filled the entire room. He then returned for the blood of the bull.
Entering again into the Holy of Holies, the High Priest sprinkled the Mercy Seat with the blood by motioning once upward and seven times downward. The basin with the remaining blood was deposited in the Holy Place.
The High Priest, atoning for the Holy of Holies, the tabernacle, and the altar, took the goat that was designated “For YaHuWaH.”
The goat was slain and the blood caught in another basin. He then entered again into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled the blood as before.
The High Priest then came back into the Holy Place and took the blood of the bull and sprinkled the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place.
He did the same with the blood of the goat. The blood was mixed together, and the High Priest sprinkled the mixed blood on the horns of the altar of incense. The blood was also sprinkled on the altar of sacrifice to cleanse it. The remaining blood was poured at the base of that altar.
*Note: What was being done here? The bull represents the House of Ephrayim (Deuteronomy 33:17 & Jeremiah 31:8). The bullock also typifies Leah and the Ten Northern Tribes of Yisra’el, as her name means “cow.”
Yahuwshuwa performed the sacrifice of the Red Heifer according to Numbers 19, as well as the Passover Lamb at his crucifixion. The lamb represents the Two Southern Tribes of Judah typified in Rachel as her name means “lamb.” The blood of the lamb is for the House of Judah (Jews) and the blood of the bull is for Ephrayim (Gentiles).
The blood of these two animals is mixed together on Yom Kippur! What this means is that the blood of Ephrayim (the bull) and the blood of Judah (the goat) are mixed together to symbolize that they are becoming one family, one blood, one bride, one stick in the hand of YaHuWaH on Yom Kippur at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!
The people who were gathered to observe the sacrifice knew very well that if YaHuWaH did not accept the sacrifices, he would strike the High Priest dead in the Holy of Holies, and the nation’s sins would not be covered.
Even though we cannot find this interesting fact in scripture, there is evidence in the Zohar stating that a rope was tied to the High Priest just in case he died in the Most Holy Place or the Holy of Holies. Scripture also gives us a hint as to why the priestly garment had bells on the bottom of his hem:
Shemoth (Exodus) 28:33 You shall make on its hem pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet material, all around on its hem, and bells of gold between them all around.
The Holy of Holies (also called the Holy Place, Exodus 28:35) was the most sacred room within the Tabernacle or the Temple. The High Priest was allowed to enter this room only once a year on the Day of Atonement.
Even though we cannot find this interesting fact in scripture, there is evidence in the Zohar stating that a rope was tied to the High Priest just in case he died in the Most Holy Place or the Holy of Holies. Scripture also gives us a hint as to why the priestly garment had bells on the bottom of his hem:
Shemoth (Exodus) 28:33 You shall make on its hem pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet material, all around on its hem, and bells of gold between them all around.The Holy of Holies (also called the Holy Place, Exodus 28:35) was the most sacred room within the Tabernacle or the Temple. The High Priest was allowed to enter this room only once a year on the Day of Atonement.
When he entered, he had to wear the clothes that Elohiym specified in Exodus 28. If he did not, he would die. Nothing is said in the Towrah about a priest having a rope tied around his ankle or waist. However, we do know that the bells, blue and purple pomegranates, and scarlet material were attached to the bottom of the High Priest’s garment for a specific reason.
The bells of pure gold were strategically placed between the pomegranates all around on the hem of the robe, alternating a bell and a pomegranate all around on the hem of the robe for the service, just as YaHuWaH had commanded Mosheh (Moses) in Exodus 39:25-26.
As long as the bells could be heard, others would know that he was still alive and that he had been accepted by Elohiym.
“According to the account of our rabbis preserved in the Talmud, the High Priest wore a rope around his waist as he made his way - absolutely alone - into the Holy of Holies. The rope he wore served a very practical purpose.
Because, in the event that the High Priest said or did something wrong, it was generally believed that he would be struck dead for his offense. Yes, right then and there. As only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, the rope enabled his assistants to safely pull the corpse of the High priest out of the inner-sanctum in the event of mishap.”
The absence of a historical reference in some significant documents is not proof that the High Priest did not have a rope tied around his ankle in later times. Not everything is recorded in books and parchments. The printing press, CD burners, tape recorders, and typewriters have not always existed in mass quantities.
In the Zohar it talks about the gold chain tied to the priest. While there was a real concern about the Kohen Gadol’s survival, there is no reference to this practice in the Mishnah, Talmud or Midrash. The Zohar does, however, state that a gold chain was tied to the Kohen Gadol’s ankle, but other sources, both halachic and Aggadic, could cause one to question this claim.
In contemporary Torah literature, the custom is mentioned in different sources with certain variations: it appears as a rope, a chain around the ankle and a chain around the waist. In most of these texts, no primary source is cited. Many modern sefarim refer to the custom as a “Talmudic tradition,” even though, as mentioned above, there is no Talmudic source for it. In the Zohar, however, the custom is mentioned twice.
The Zohar on Parashat Acharei Mot (67a) describes the Kohen Gadol’s preparation before entering the Kodesh Hakodashim and states that “a gold chain was tied to his leg,”[7] with no explanation or additional detail.[8] In the Zohar on Parashat Emor (102a) the description of the Kohen Gadol’s entry into the Kodesh Hakodashim includes this statement: “Rav Yitzchak said: ‘One rope was tied to the Kohen’s leg when he went in, so that should he die there they could pull him out.’” [9]
This way, his body could be pulled out without someone having to go in to get him, which would result in that person’s death. In other words, the people completely relied on the work of the High Priest. Thus, when the High Priest emerged from the tabernacle, his appearance was a cause of much celebration and joy among the people.
The final act in the atoning work of the High Priest involved dispensing of the nation’s sins. The High Priest laid his hands upon the head of the scapegoat and confessed the sins of the nation. An appointed man (who became temporarily ceremonially unclean) then led the goat away. According to Leviticus 16:21-22, the goat was to be led into the wilderness and left there.
With the atoning work of the High Priest completed, he would take off his linen garments, wash, and put on his golden vestments again. He would then offer two rams for a burnt offering and several other offerings prescribed for that day. His work was thus complete.
In Luke 4:19, when Yahuwshuwa emerged out of the wilderness after 40 days and 40 nights (fulfilling the pattern of the scapegoat), he then read the Isaiah 61 scroll declaring “The Acceptable year of YaHuWaH” for Yom Kippur!
He had born the iniquity for the sins of Judah that year just like Ezekiel did when he laid on his right side for “Forty days for the sins of the House of Judah one day for each year” (Ezekiel 4:6-7).
Yahuwshuwa knew that they were going to reject his sacrifice for forty years, until the Roman Siege in 70 A.D.
The Yom Kippur 40 Year Miracle
In the centuries following the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (70 C.E.), the Jewish people began writing two versions of Jewish thought, religious history and commentary. One was written in Palestine and became known as the Jerusalem Talmud. The other was written in Babylon and was known as the Babylonian Talmud.
We read in the Jerusalem Talmud:
“Forty years before the destruction of the Temple, the western light went out, the crimson thread remained crimson, and the lot for YHWH always came up in the left hand. They would close the gates of the Temple by night and get up in the morning and find them wide open” (Jacob Neusner, The Yerushalmi, p.156-157). [the Temple was destroyed in 70 C.E.]
A similar passage in the Babylonian Talmud states:
“Our rabbis taught: During the last forty years before the destruction of the Temple the lot [‘For the Lord’] did not come up in the right hand; nor did the crimson-colored strap become white; nor did the western most light shine; and the doors of the Hekel [Temple] would open by themselves” (Soncino version, Yoma 39b).
What are these passages talking about? Since both Talmuds recount the same information, this indicates the knowledge of these events was accepted by the widespread Jewish community.
The Miracle of the “Lot”
The first of these miracles concerns a random choosing of the “lot” which was cast on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). The lot chosen determined which of two goats would be “For YHWH” and which goat would be the “Azazel” or “scapegoat.” During the two hundred years before 30 C.E., when the High Priest picked one of two stones, again this selection was governed by chance, and each year the priest would select a black stone as often as a white stone.
However, for forty years in a row, beginning in 30 C.E., the High Priest always picked the black stone! The odds against this happening are astronomical (2 to the 40th power). In other words, the chances of this occurring are 1 in approximately 5, 479, 548, 800 or about 5.5 billion to one! By comparison, your chances of winning your local state or municipal-run cash Lottery would be much more favorable!
The lot for Azazel, the black stone, contrary to all the laws of chance, came up 40 times in a row from 30 to 70 AD! This was considered a dire event and signified something had fundamentally changed in this Yom Kippur ritual. This casting of lots is also accompanied by yet another miracle which is described next.
The priests would also take a red ribbon (symbolizing sin) and tie half around the horn of the scapegoat and tie the other half to the temple door. The scapegoat bore the sins of the nation of Yisra’el. If YaHuWaH forgave them of their sins, the red ribbon on the temple door would miraculously turn white. This was done in front of a large crowd to show them they had Elohiym’s favor:
Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together, says YHWH. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Since 30 A.D., the ribbon stopped turning white as snow; this is also recorded in the Talmud:
Yoma 39b “Our rabbis taught: During the last forty years before the destruction of the Temple the lot [‘For YHWH’] did not come up in the right hand; nor did the crimson-colored strap become white; nor did the western most light shine; and the doors of the Hekel [Temple] would open by themselves.”
There is only one possible explanation for this:
Because Yahuwshuwa ha’Mashiyach was the perfect sin sacrifice who died in 30 A.D!
Ibriym (Hebrews) 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Only His blood can truly atone for our sins and once He paid that price, animal sacrifice was worthless.
Ibriym (Hebrews) 10:4-6 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he comes into the world, he says, Sacrifice and offering you would not, but a body have you prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you have had no pleasure.
This was all done as a rehearsal for things to come, so Yisra’el would recognize the true Messiah when He came.
Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 1:11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? says YHWH: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
Another thing that is recorded in the Talmud, is this historical mystery of the temple doors. The doors to the temple would swing open by themselves starting in 30 A.D. recorded in the Talmud:
Sota 6:3 Said Rabban Yohanan Ben Zakkai to the Temple, ‘O Temple, why do you frighten us? We know that you will end up destroyed. For it has been said, ‘Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour your cedar.
Lastly, the most important menorah lamp that was to remain lit at all times kept going out on its own accord. The priests went to all measures to insure it would stay lit but much to their futile efforts, the menorah kept going out. Yahuwshuwa died for our sins and just like the book of Hebrews tells us, the priesthood changed.
Messiah is now our High Priest and has given us access to the Father. It is also significant that the temple was destroyed in 70 A.D, exactly 40 years after Yahuwshuwa’s death. YaHuWaH gave Yisra’el 40 years to repent of their sins and to accept Yahuwshuwa as their Messiah. And when they did not, (in spite of all the signs he gave them), their probationary period ended in 70 A.D. and their temple and city was destroyed just as Yahuwshuwa prophesied.
Dr. Earnest L. Martin states:
“In fact, we are told in the Talmud that at dusk the lamps that were unlit in the daytime (the middle four lamps remained unlit, while the two eastern lamps normally stayed lit during the day) were to be re-lit from the flames of the western lamp (which was a lamp that was supposed to stay lit all the time it was like the ‘eternal’ flame that we see today in some national monuments)...”
“…This ‘western lamp’ was to be kept lit at all times. For that reason, the priests kept extra reservoirs of olive oil and other implements in ready supply to make sure that the ‘western lamp’ (under all circumstances) would stay lit. But what happened in the forty years from the very year Messiah said the physical Temple would be destroyed? Every night for forty years the western lamp went out, and this in spite of the priests each evening preparing in a special way the western lamp so that it would remain constantly burning all night!” (The Significance of the Year C.E. 30, Ernest Martin, Research Update, April 1994, p.4).
Had the Jewish Sanhedrin as a nation accepted his atonement, the “evening and morning oblations” would have then been done as an act of worship that would’ve been acceptable before YaHuWaH. They would’ve done these as a “memorial” of his death burial and resurrection and not as a substitute for sin.
You see, the sin offering is different than the morning and evening sacrifices which are not performed for sin. They are performed as an act of worship. However, YaHuWaH no longer accepted their act of worship in the temple because they rejected Messiah as the Passover Lamb.
Yahuwshuwa therefore is the one who caused the sacrifice and oblation to “cease” to be “acceptable” to YaHuWaH. Yahuwshuwa’s sacrifice was not only that of the Passover Lamb, but he was also the sacrifice of the “Red Heifer.”
Bemidbar (Numbers) 19:2 This is the ordinance of the Towrah (law) which YHWH has commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Yisra’el, that they bring you a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke.
The sacrifice of the red heifer is for the cleansing of the temple, and it is the only sacrifice which is done “outside” of the camp of the city of Jerusalem and not inside of the temple.
Ideally, the red heifer had to be 3.5 years old, and we know that Yahuwshuwa had a ministry that lasted for 3.5 years. How do we know that his ministry lasted 3.5 years?
We know because Daniel’s 70th Week is a “seven-year” period, and we are told that Messiah was “cut off” and “in the midst of the week” he caused the sacrifice and oblation to cease (Daniel 9:25-27).
Why did I take the time to explain the Forty-Year Yom Kippur Miracle?
We know because Daniel’s 70th Week is a “seven-year” period, and we are told that Messiah was “cut off” and “in the midst of the week” he caused the sacrifice and oblation to cease (Daniel 9:25-27).
Why did I take the time to explain the Forty-Year Yom Kippur Miracle?
Because there should be no question that the priesthood supposedly “changed” immediately following the sacrifice of Yahuwshuwa in 30 C.E (Hebrews 7:12). However, we should understand that the Greek word for changed means “To transfer, to carry over!”
Knowing that the Yom Kippur ordinances have ceased in the temple since 70 C.E. (following the Roman Siege), the Rabbi’s have sought for an explanation, but the answer has been right in front of their faces all along.
See my other article entitled: What is a Schoolmaster & What Law Was Added Because of Transgression?
The Name & Identity of YaHuWaH Hidden from Judah
One must as the question, “Why did these Jewish Rabbis make such blunders in the book of Jasher?”
It is quite interesting, yet very prophetic (to say the least), that the Yahuwdiy (Jewish) Rabbi’s have attempted to rewrite the book of Jasher in order to suggest that it was “Shem” who was the High Priest of Shalem (Jerusalem) who met with Abraham. Why would they do this?
I am going to speculate here for a moment, so please stay with me on this explanation. It is quite possible that an earlier copy of Jasher contained markings of the Hebrew letters “shin” and “mem” which are the only two letters in the name “Shem.”
The vowel points were later added into the Hebrew Old Testament in the 10th Century by the Masoretes.
The House of Judah placed a ban on speaking the proper name of our creator after the Babylonian Captivity, and they began referring to him as simply “ha’Shem” which means “The Name.”
To read more about why the name of our Creator has been hidden for centuries, see my other article entitled: “The Hidden Name & Character of ha’Shem”
Since the title “ha’Shem” became the title used to replace the name “YaHuWaH” nearly 6,800 times in the TaNaKh (Old Testament), it is possible that a transcribed copy of Jasher (intending to refer to YaHuWaH himself), used the term “Shem” to describe Melchizedek. YaHuWaH, in his divine wisdom and foreknowledge, allowed Shem (Noah’s son) to be seen in Scripture as a “shadow-type” of the Heavenly Father, and his first-born son, Elam as a picture of the Messiah!
The meanings of their names reveal a message. Shem’s first-born son was Elam (Genesis 10:22). Let’s see what his name means:
#5867 `Eylam; probably from 5956; HIDDEN i.e. distant; Elam, a son of Shem and his descendants, with their country; also of six Israelites:--Elam.
The root word for Elam is:
#5956 `alam, a primitive root; to VEIL FROM SIGHT, i.e. CONCEAL (literally or figuratively):--X any ways, BLIND, dissembler, HIDE (self), SECRET (thing).
The word for “eternity” (owlam) comes from this name Elam as well:
#5769 `owlam; from 5956; properly, CONCEALED, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) ETERNITY; frequentatively, adverbial (especially with prepositional prefix) always:--always, ancient (time), any more, continuance, ETERNAL, EVERLASTING; more, of old, lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world; WITHOUT END.
Shem, Noah’s son is a prophetic picture of the heavenly Father, whose name has been “hidden and concealed” by who? The House of Judah! Because the House of Judah attempted to conceal the name of our Creator from the gentiles, his identity has been concealed from them as well!
Similarly, we see in Genesis 38, that Judah “concealed” his son “Shelah” from Tamar by not sending him to her as promised.
Consequently, Tamar “concealed” her identity to Judah in order to force him to make good on his promise. Her true identity was “veiled” just as our Messiah’s identity to the Yahuwdiy (Jewish) people to this day is veiled.
In Romans 11:7, it is written:
“What then? Yisra’el has not obtained that which he seeks for; but the election has obtained it, and the rest were blinded.”
When Judah sent his friend to seek out Tamar to give her the goat, she could not be found. Hence, we read that Yisra’el “Has not obtained that which he seeks for.” Tamar is a picture of the gentiles, and because Judah concealed her rightful inheritance from her, he too was blinded to who she was, when she was disguised as a harlot.
When Judah sent his friend to seek out Tamar to give her the goat, she could not be found. Hence, we read that Yisra’el “Has not obtained that which he seeks for.” Tamar is a picture of the gentiles, and because Judah concealed her rightful inheritance from her, he too was blinded to who she was, when she was disguised as a harlot.
It is as if YaHuWaH himself has allowed the Yahuwdiym (Jews) to believe the notion that “Shem” was the high priest who met with Abraham, because they are the ones who have hidden “The name” (ha’shem) from the gentiles. And in return for their concealment of his name, they are now blinded to who he really is!
Mishle (Proverbs) 30:4 Who has ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name, if you can tell?
Who is the one who has ascended and descended? Ephesians tells us who!
Ephsiym (Ephesians) 4:
8 Wherefore he says, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things).
What is the “shem” (name) of the one who ascended and descended? His name is YaHuWaH and his son’s name is Yahuwshuwa! Judah has concealed his shem (name), and because of this, he has reaped blindness so that he cannot see who the high priest, Melchizedek really is! Shem’s first-born son’s name, Elam reveals that his name and identity has remained “hidden, concealed, a secret, veiled from sight!”
What is the “shem” (name) of the one who ascended and descended? His name is YaHuWaH and his son’s name is Yahuwshuwa! Judah has concealed his shem (name), and because of this, he has reaped blindness so that he cannot see who the high priest, Melchizedek really is! Shem’s first-born son’s name, Elam reveals that his name and identity has remained “hidden, concealed, a secret, veiled from sight!”
Now that I have sufficiently proven that Noah’s son Shem could not have been Melchizedek, we can narrow it down to King David or the Messiah, Yahuwshuwa. David is a closer fit, because he does come from the Tribe of Judah, and while David did indeed die, YaHuWaH promised David that there would never fail to be a king on the throne from David’s descendants (1st Kings 9:5).
The prophecy in Psalm 110:4 was written about King David, but King David is a prophetic “type” of Messiah who is from the House of Yahuwdah (Judah). Our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa was born into the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah) because Melchizedek is BOTH a “king & priest,” and the scepter to rule as king was given to Judah (Genesis 49:10).
The prophecy in Psalm 110:4 was written about King David, but King David is a prophetic “type” of Messiah who is from the House of Yahuwdah (Judah). Our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa was born into the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah) because Melchizedek is BOTH a “king & priest,” and the scepter to rule as king was given to Judah (Genesis 49:10).
Romans 1:3 states: “Concerning his Son Yahuwshuwa Messiah, our Master, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.”
The “Order” of Melchizedek, or the “Man” Melchizedek?
Often-times I hear people rebuke me for teaching that our Messiah is Melchizedek, because they say that Melchizedek, is an “order,” of priests, and not an individual. The Apostle Sha’uwl explained in these passages, that Yahuwshuwa is the “FIRST,” in the order, and afterward, those of us that make it into the resurrection will serve with him during the Millennium in his “order.”
Aleph Qorintiym (1st Corinthians) 15:
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Mashiyach shall all be made alive.
23 But every man IN HIS OWN ORDER: Mashiyach, the first-fruits; and afterward, they that are Messiahs at his coming.
Yahuwshuwa is the FIRST mortal human being to be resurrected bodily, and TO PUT ON IMMORTALITY.
Afterward, those who are resurrected in the Post-Tribulation Harpazo (1st Thessalonians 4:17) will be made alive, and will serve him in this “ORDER” of Melchizedek in the New Millennium.
Only those who have been given resurrected bodies can be part of this eternal priesthood in the Millennium. Those who are born-again by the blood of the Lamb, and keep his commandments are called “A Royal Priesthood” (1st Peter 2:29).
There is an account in the book of Zechariah, which also serves as a prophetic picture of the Father & the Son as Melchizedek. Even though this is speaking of the current-day priests in the days of Zechariah, it also shows a prophetic picture of the Father as Melchizedek, and his son Joshua, also as Melchizedek.
Zakaryahuw (Zechariah) 6:11 Then take silver and gold, and make CROWNS, and set them upon THE HEAD OF JOSHUA [Yahuwshuwa] the son of Josedech [Yahuwzedek], the high priest;
Zakaryahuw (Zechariah) 6:12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaks YHWH of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of YHWH.
The order of Malkiy-Tzedeq was foreshadowed with the earthly High Priest, Yahuwzedek, which means “Yahuwah is righteous.”
And the Son, was named “Yahuwshuwa” (Joshua), whose name means “Yahuwah is salvation!”
These two men were a prophetic type of the eternal priesthood of the Father and the Son (Melchizedek)!
The Order of Melchizedek Seen in David & His Seed
Beginning with 2nd Samuel 8:17 until Ezekiel 48:11, we see 52 references in the Tanakh (Old Testament) to the Zadok (Tzadowq) priesthood. Who are they? The Hebrew Strong’s Concordance explains:
#6659 Tzadowq tsaw-doke’ from 6663; just; Tsadok, the name of eight or nine Israelites:--Zadok.
#H6659 Zadok = “righteous.”
The high priest, son of Ahitub of the house of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, and 11th in descent from Aaron; joined David after Saul’s death and supported him against Absalom and Adonijah; anointed Solomon as king a priest, son of Meraioth, father of Meshullam of the house of Ahitub; apparently a nephew of father of Jerusha, the wife of king Uzziah and mother of king Jotham of Judah son of Baana and repairer of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah son of Immer and repairer of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah a leader of the people in the time of Nehemiah a scribe appointed by Nehemiah as one of the treasurers over the storehouse a valiant warrior of the tribe of Benjamin who joined David at Hebron.
The Tzadowq (Zadok) priesthood were a “type & shadow,” a precursor to the final resurrected ones who will be part of the priesthood of Messiah in his Millennial Reign (Revelation 1:6; 5:10).
We know that King David also was a mere mortal human being, therefore, he was not the one who met with Abraham in Genesis 14:18.
So, why does YaHuWaH say to David in Psalm 110:4 “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek?”
King David was from the Tribe of Judah, and the Messiah was prophesied to come through his “seed.” Miryam, the earthly mother of Yahuwshuwa was from the Tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah), and so was his earthly father, Yahuwceph (Joseph).
Even though Yahuwshuwa was conceived by the Ruwach ha’Qodesh (Holy Spirit), his physical body was 100% human of the seed (lineage) of King David. Even even though Yisra’el has not had an earthly king since the Roman Siege in 70 C.E., our Messiah is the one who will carry on the throne of David as prophesied:
1st Melakiym (Kings) 8:25 Therefore now, YHWH Elohiym of Yisra’el, keep with your servant Dawiyd (David) my father that you promised him, saying, There shall not fail you a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Yisra’el; so that your children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as you have walked before me.
1st Melakiym (Kings) 9:5 Then I will establish the throne of your kingdom upon Yisra’el forever, as I promised to Dawiyd (David) your father, saying, There shall not fail you a man upon the throne of Yisra’el.
If there would not fail to be a man on the throne of King David’s lineage, then why is there not an earthly king today in Jerusalem? Where is the throne of King David today?
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 26:64 Yahuwshuwa said unto him, You have said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall you see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
It is important now to note the difference between the high priest “Melchizedek,” who is referred to as an individual, and those priests who are “after the order of Melchizedek.”
Abriym (Hebrews) 7:
If there would not fail to be a man on the throne of King David’s lineage, then why is there not an earthly king today in Jerusalem? Where is the throne of King David today?
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 26:64 Yahuwshuwa said unto him, You have said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall you see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Marqos (Mark) 14:62 And Yahuwshuwa said, I AM: and you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Abriym (Hebrews) 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
1st Keefa (Peter) 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of Elohiym; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
Chazown (Revelation) 5:5 And one of the elders said unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Yahuwdah (Judah), the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Chazown (Revelation) 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of Elohiym sent forth into all the earth.
It is important now to note the difference between the high priest “Melchizedek,” who is referred to as an individual, and those priests who are “after the order of Melchizedek.”
Abriym (Hebrews) 7:
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high Elohiym, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of Elohiym; abides a priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
*Note: We can see from the above verses, that Melchizedek is one single individual, but he does have an “order” of priests who will follow in his foot-steps. Who are they, that belong to this order of priests? The next few verses are addressed to those who follow the lamb wherever he goes (Revelation 14:4). These also have the name of the Father written in their foreheads.
These are also the “two witnesses,” (Revelation 11:3-4, that are a part of the remnant of the “seed of the woman” (mother Jerusalem). After they are killed and resurrected, they shall be caught up to meet YaHuWaH in the air (1st Thessalonians 4:17), and they will be changed into incorruption or immortality (1st Corinthians 15:42-53). These also shall serve in the priesthood of Melchizedek during the Millennial Reign of Messiah here on earth (Revelation 20:4).
1st Keefa (Peter) 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should shew forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Chazown (Revelation) 1:6 And has made us kings and priests unto Elohiym and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Awmane.
Chazown (Revelation) 5:10 And has made us unto our Elohiym kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Beloved, it could not be clearer. The same Melchizedek who met with Abraham is none other than the pre-incarnate Messiah, Yahuwshuwa who also made coats of animal skins for Adam & Eve after they sinned in the Garden.
Melchizedek cannot be anyone else except for our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa. For he is the only one who qualifies to be the eternal High Priest, from the Tribe of Judah!
Melchizedek cannot be anyone else except for our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa. For he is the only one who qualifies to be the eternal High Priest, from the Tribe of Judah!Was He a Priest During his Earthly Ministry?
Some people would argue that our Messiah could not have acted as a High Priest here on earth because of this verse in Hebrews 8:4.
Some people would argue that our Messiah could not have acted as a High Priest here on earth because of this verse in Hebrews 8:4.
Abriym (Hebrews) 8:4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the Towrah (law).
The above verse is not telling us that our Messiah failed to serve on earth as a priest. Reading the entire book of Hebrews in context is the key to understanding this verse.
This verse is telling us that that our Messiah did not qualify to be an earthly priest from the Sons of Aaron, because he was from the Tribe of Judah, not from the Tribe of Levi.
However, in the previous chapter (Hebrews chapter 7), our Messiah is described as being an eternal priest after the order of Melchizedek:
Abriym (Hebrews) 7:3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of Elohiym; abides a priest continually.
If our Messiah abides as a priest continually, this means that he has always been a High Priest eternally (past, present and future).
This also means that he did not cease to be a heavenly, eternal priest during his earthly ministry!
Elohiym is “omnipresent,” meaning in all places at once. His role as Melchizedek in heaven, did not cease just because he was here on earth. This is why he said “My kingdom is not of his world,” (John 18:36).
Hebrews 8:4 is merely telling us that he was not acting in the capacity of an earthly priest from the Sons of Aaron. Hebrews 7:14 tells us that our Master is a priest who “sprang out of Judah!”
As a matter of important fact, the Hebrew word for “seven” (as defined in the Hebrew Lexicon) is as follows:
#7651 sheba` sheh'-bah or (masculine) shibrah {shib-aw'}; from 7650; a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number:--(+ by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare 7658.
#7650 shaba` shaw-bah' a primitive root; propr. to be complete, but used only as a denominative from 7651; to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times):--adjure, charge (by an oath, with an oath), feed to the full (by mistake for 7646), take an oath, X straitly, (cause to, make to) swear.
As you can see by the above definitions, the number “seven” comes from a Hebrew Root word that means “To take an oath, to swear, to seven oneself; to complete.”
The only one who was able to complete the oath as the Kinsman Redeemer and High Priest according to Psalm 110:4 is the one who was sworn into office by YaHuWaH himself!
Ibriym (Hebrews) 7:21 For those [Aaronic High] priests were made without an oath; but this [Melchizedek] with an oath by him that said unto him, YHWH sware and will not repent, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Therefore, it is prophetically fitting that the Messiah should be born at the SEVENTH NEW MOON, (Ethanim/Tishri), and that he would COMPLETE ALL SEVEN FEASTS at his first coming, followed by another round of SEVEN FEASTS at his second coming!
Isn’t this exactly what Jacob did for his two brides, Leah & Rachel? Did he not fulfill two periods of seven years for them? Does it not stand to reason that our Messiah would follow the same pattern by fulfilling two annual cycles of seven feasts for BOTH HOUSES OF YISRA’EL?
If he is the only one who could “complete the oath,” his first and second coming had to be prophetically marked by the number “seven!”
This explains why the High Priest in the Temple was commanded on Yom Kippur to make atonement for both Houses of Yisra’el by sprinkling the blood seven times. In Leviticus 16:14-19, the High Priest had to dip his finger in the blood of a bull (for the gentiles), and the blood of the Yom Kippur sacrificial goat (for Yisra’el).
Next, (taking the mixed blood), he would sprinkle the blood on the four corners of the altar (symbolic of the four corners of the earth). He did this seven times, because there are seven continents in the earth that must be atoned for! Additionally, the Hebrew word for “sworn” in Psalm 110:4 is the word “sheba” which literally means “to take an oath, to seven oneself!”
In other words, the mixed blood of both animals (symbolic of both houses of Yisra’el), was sprinkled seven times to show us that the one who would ultimately would fulfil the “oath” (sheba), had to be the same one who originally made the covenant with Abraham in the first place! And we know that was Melchizedek, the King of Righteousness!
As I explained in the beginning of this blog, in Luke 20:40-44, the Pharisees questioned our Messiah about being “David’s son.”
His reply blew them away, for he plainly admitted to being the same Melchizedek in whom King David wrote about in Psalm 110:4: “YHWH has sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Our Messiah acted in the role of Melchizedek, (a heavenly High Priest) during his earthly ministry. However, he was not acting in the role of an earthly High Priest from the Sons of Aaron.
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