The Identity of Melchizedek
(And What It Means to Us)
by
Dale M. Sides
©2025 by Liberating Ministries for Christ International
Introduction
First
of all, I want to clear the air: I am aware that this article may be a bit of a
boat rocker for some Bible scholars. But hopefully its contents will encourage them
to at least ponder its validity. While it may seem a little sensational to delve
into this little known mystery, I believe it adds a much greater understanding to
this vital priesthood and the depth of our relationship with Jesus, who is not
only our Messiah but also the High Priest of the Order of Melchizedek.
A
possible downside for those who relish the mystique of Melchizedek’s identity is
that it will be rendered obsolete. I hope that those who fall into that
category and have taught it will be gracious toward me. I can relate because I too
have grappled with its mystery for years.
However,
the truth concerning his actual identity was all too easy to uncover, and once
I found it, its logic was undeniable. It is likely already known by any Jews
who have read and reasoned through the New Testament book of Hebrews. The
priesthood of Jesus, and others to whom this priesthood passed onto before He
came to earth, comes alive as this pivotal figure’s identity unfolds.
The
answer to Melchizedek’s seemingly unexplainable existence is found in a single
verse from a biblically recognized source, the book of Jasher, chapter 16 verse
11. By revealing this source up front, I hope to save time later in answering numerous
questions. Therefore, the first part of this exposé will show not only his identity,
but also a further explanation of the source. The second section will delve
more fully into his priesthood and its positive ramifications for us to understand
it. Finally, I will end with answering some of the questions that may reasonably
surface.
Melchizedek’s
Identity
The
source I used to find Melchizedek’s identity and related information on him was
the book of Jasher, specifically, chapter 16, verse 11. (Its parallel biblical account
is in Genesis 14.)
And
Adonizedek king of Jerusalem, the same was Shem, went out with his men
to meet Abram [Abraham], and his people, with bread and wine, and they remained
together in the valley of Melech. ~Jasher 16:11
From
this account in Jasher, we can deduce that Shem was living in Jerusalem and
that he had another name: Adonizedek, formed from the Hebrew root Adonai,
which means “Lord.” From this one verse, we can already ascertain that he was
both a king and a representative of the Lord. We also read right up front that
he was Shem.
This
one verse also makes clear that he had knowledge of Abraham’s return from
battle and had prepared a sacrifice in order to intercept and honor him in the
valley of Melech, where the victory celebration would take place.
The
book of Jasher’s reliability and quotability is referred to in Joshua 10:13 and
2 Samuel 1:18.
And
the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged
themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher?
So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about
a whole day. ~Joshua 10:13
(Also
he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is
written in the book of Jasher.) ~2 Samuel 1:18
Note:
The book of Jasher was translated from a Hebrew text in 1840. The original book
has long since deteriorated but reliable copies of it still exist today. I believe
it is a reliable source or it would not have been referred to in the biblical scriptures.1
The timelines of Jasher and our commonly accepted biblical chronology
vary some, mainly because the Bible text was translated from Hebrew into Greek
and then rephrased into various editions and versions, whereas the book of
Jasher went directly from Hebrew into English.2 However, even the
commonly accepted biblical timeline allows for interaction between Abraham and
Shem. (It is possible that Jasher predates Joshua and 2 Samuel.)
As
a matter of biblical research and proper hermeneutics,3 any ancient
references outside of the Bible itself may be considered truth unless there is either
biblical or historical evidence that contradicts
it. In the case of the following statement, there is nothing in the Bible or in
secular history that contradicts it.
Shem, who was the son
of Noah, was still alive in Abraham’s day and was the current priest in the
order of Melchizedek.
Shem/Melchizedek4
Melchizedek’s
identity as Shem is made clear in the book of Jasher. As one of Noah’s three
sons, he lived to the ripe old age of 600. Jasher 9 chronicles both Shem and
Noah raising and mentoring Abraham (then known as “Abram”) from the age of 10
into his adulthood,5 which implies a father-son relationship between
Shem and Abraham. This close relationship holds a significance in the coming
prophetic revelation of Jesus Christ. (Even though I stated earlier that Melchizedek’s
revealed identity removes its mystique, it has been quickly replaced with the newly
discovered gem of his close relationship with Abraham.)
The
salient point of Melchizedek’s true identity is this close relationship with
Abraham. Even though this battle transpired long after Abraham had moved from
Noah and Shem’s homebase, they must have stayed in contact with one another
because he knew that Abraham had just come from a mammoth military victory over
one of the greatest armies of the ages—Chedorlaomer and his conglomerate army
of 600,000 troops, which included the nefarious Nimrod’s army (Genesis 14:5).
The lopsided victory achieved by Abraham’s much smaller company of 318 men came
at the behest and will of Almighty Yahweh and fulfilled a life-long prophecy that
Abraham would defeat and conquer Nimrod. It was truly a miraculous triumph for him—one
that merited recognition by the mighty King of Jerusalem and priest of the Most
High God—Shem, aka Melchizedek.
Note: Jasher documents that when
Abraham was 55 years old, he left Noah and Shem’s sanctuary to return to his
original home of Ur of Chaldees where his father lived. Within three days of his
return, he burned down all of his father’s idols, which caused the ire of
Nimrod who arrested him and had him thrown into a fiery furnace. But, like
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Abraham survived the fire without injury. In
the Jasher account, it describes his walking within the furnace for three days and
nights witnessing of the true God, Yahweh, before Nimrod ordered his release
when he realized Abraham was not going to perish. The king’s reputation was
ruined and he was pressured by his own people to gift this man who they were now
championing. Abraham was given Nimrod’s personal guard and army as his own and
asked to leave. Henceforth, they traveled with him as his own private army and
bodyguards.
As
we begin to explore the subject of the Melchizedek priesthood that Christ
fulfilled, we will see the significance of the bread and wine that Shem offered
to Abraham at his victory celebration. We will also see the relationship that
fueled this act.
Shem
and Abraham’s Relationship
In
my historical novel, Abraham, His Unknown
Years and Revealed Secrets, I describe the likely relationship of Abraham,
Shem, and Noah. It is an enriching read when you put together the pieces to
speculate that Melchizedek (Shem) and Abraham were probably close in the way a
father and son would be. The book of Jasher describes Abraham’s older brother Nahor
taking him on a long journey from a hideout in the wilderness where he lived
with his mother to hide from Nimrod, who believed he had killed him as a baby. Nahor
took him to live with Noah and Shem when he was only 10 years old in an effort
to better hide him from Nimrod, who was beginning to suspect that perhaps he
was still alive. Abraham stayed with them until he was around 50, meaning they
raised him through puberty and into manhood. Although he was already distantly
related to them, they became like a grandfather and father to him. (This is actual
history—not a fictional account for my novel.)
On
the cusp of Abraham’s miraculous victory over one of the largest armies of that
era, Shem beheld his beloved “son” in a new light. He was now an accomplished
warrior and man of God who had been honed through his trials with his father
and Nimrod. He had been turned over to Nimrod by his biological father,
imprisoned and eventually thrown into a furnace that
was heated far beyond the point of possible survival. And now he had led 318
men into battle without losing a single one. By doing this, he showed himself
also being a type and shadow of the order of Melchizedek. He had led his
company of fighting men against the greatest of all odds and returned with not
only his people, but also with a vast amount of spoils.
There
is an aspect about Abraham’s background that will show the significance of
Shem/Melchizedek’s visit to see him after this massive battle. On the night
Abraham was born, his father Terah had received a prophecy from Nimrod’s
astronomers who read his birth sky. It spoke of how this baby would grow up to
become a nemesis to the king (Nimrod) and would personally destroy his kingdom
(Jasher 8).
Although
the Bible is silent on the details of this bloody battle between Abraham and
Nimrod’s army and the other conglomerate armies, we still know from the book of
Jasher that he and Nimrod were already foes from the time of his birth.
Jasher
12 contains the record of Abraham’s miraculous survival in Nimrod’s furnace,
which resulted in the king’s shameful end to his kingdom. But it was the battle
against this conglomerate of armies (including the remainder of Nimrod’s
soldiers) that finally wiped the strength of this evil kingdom off the face of
the earth (Genesis 14:1 and Jasher 16:1).
Abraham’s
“after party” with Shem, aka Melchizedek, was the ultimate crescendo of that
miraculous day. Lifelong prophecies had been fulfilled and the spiritual father
who had trained him to overcome this nefarious king someday had come to honor
him and bestow the order of Melchizedek on him. From Shem’s point of view, it
was graduation day for Abraham.
One
of the deeper aspects of this celebration was the offering of the bread and
wine, which was shared with intimate hearts in their deep relationship as
father and son.
It
was Shem (Melchizedek) who brought these elements and served them to Abraham.
And
Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest
of the most high God. ~Genesis 14:18
The
Bread and Wine
The
reason Melchizedek could provide and serve the bread and wine was because he
was the priest of the Most High God. His role as priest was to represent God to
the people, and the people to God.
Melchizedek’s
serving of the bread and wine is a prophetic picture of the sacrifice God would
someday offer with His Son’s body being the bread and His blood shed upon the
cross being the wine. It metaphorically shows the coming of The Melchizedek—Jesus, the Son of God.
The priest serves the bread, and in return the people give of themselves—their
flesh and strength—in covenant with and to their God.
As
the priest serves the wine, he shows a prophetic picture of God offering the
sacrifice of His own blood through His Son. The people reciprocate by laying
down their own lives for His Kingdom.
Perhaps
wine and bread have lost some significance to us because we are so accustomed to
them (or wafers and juice in a contemporary mainstream church service) being
offered in Holy Communion, but within the
Scriptures, the next time bread and wine are used together as joint sacraments
was when Jesus offered them to His disciples at what we know as the Last Supper.
The similarity of these two bread and wine incidents is not mere coincidence. The
major commonality is that the givers and the receivers had a close bond; they
were those for whom you would willingly lay down your life. And the sharing of
these elements bind together the participants into an even closer, more
intimate relationship.
On
the night of His betrayal, Jesus was with His closest friends, who were like
brothers to Him.
The
Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He
had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is
broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took
the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This
do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” ~1 Corinthians 11:23b–25
This
was first shared by Shem with Abraham, but it didn’t happen a second time (as
far as we know) until the Last Supper, by Jesus with His closest friends.
Incidentally,
Jesus saved the fleshly lives of those closest friends when He made sure the
soldiers did not take them with Him later that night in the Garden of
Gethsemane after Judas betrayed Him with a kiss. He gave Himself up quickly,
ensuring they did not have time to fight for Him, even healing the servant
whose ear Peter cut off and pleading for them not to be arrested with Him.
While sacrificing Himself spiritually for the world—including you and me—He
basically “took the rap” that night in the Garden and made sure that His
closest friends were free to go. These were the ones that He gave the bread and
wine to—those of the order of Melchizedek—His closest friends.
Did
you know that when we receive the holy elements of Holy Communion, we are
receiving them in an act of intimacy with the Master? (The priest is the
mediator. I believe that in every Holy Communion service, Jesus is the priest
that ministers the sacraments, regardless of whose hands distribute the
elements.)
It
is obvious that the wine and bread have significant, metaphorical meanings. We’ve
known this in the past; but now we know that the wine also represents the
shedding of our own blood for the cause of advancing God’s Kingdom; while the bread
also represents the sacrificing of our flesh or lives for the cause. This would
be true in the case of the order of Melchizedek and the recipients of the New Covenant.
Biblical covenants are binding, and the bread and wine are ensigns representing
the depth of our commitment and dedication.
Judas
took the sop that night and then immediately betrayed the covenant. We all know
what happened to him. Apparently, breaking this covenant has consequences too.
The
Order of Melchizedek
Since
my original writing of this article, I received an intriguing book from one of
my spiritual daughters entitled, The
Ancient Mysteries of the Essenes: The Ken Johnson Collection. This book has greatly confirmed my research
and conclusions. I had considered myself as having a reasonable grasp of the
book of Jasher and accompanying books, but I have now been exposed to a
contemporary researcher/writer who is on a much deeper level than I am. Ken
Johnson’s book is in three parts, and I have only perused the last portion
entitled, “Ancient Order of Melchizedek” since it was the one of immediate
importance for the completion of my article. However, I definitely have reason
to believe that the remaining parts are equally intriguing, and I look forward
to reading them as well at some point. The depth of research in Brother Ken’s
book is stunning, and I highly recommend it for anyone who desires more
knowledge of this topic. I was happy to see that he and I had drawn the same
conclusions, although his writing required deeper research and therefore has
more accompanying sources behind it than my small article. Therefore, I will
leave my initial research as is and allow his to fill in the depth and remainder
of where mine has ended. Thank you, Brother Ken!
The
content and context of the books of Jasher, Jubilees, and Enoch have allowed me
to draw a conclusion that is interesting enough to consider within the subject
I am about to share. However, please note that this is my opinion and you are
free to disagree.
The
word “order” comes from the word “taxis” and means a certain category,
like a taxonomy, or a specific classification. It is used six times in
association with the name of Melchizedek; therefore, I believe that Melchizedek could
actually be a title rather
than just a name, and that different people have held this title through
the ages. Ken Johnson believes it began with Adam. I don’t know for sure, but I
personally believe it started with Enoch. At the time of Abraham, Shem carried
it. This is a calling—not by bloodline, but by choice of the Master; and He
chooses those who choose Him, like Abraham, the friend of God, and Enoch, who
walked with Him. I am convinced that Enoch carried it during his “walk with
God” and it was passed to Methuselah when Enoch “was not,” then to Noah, on to
Shem, and then Abraham. Of course it was the Lord doing the choosing, just as He
chose others—like Moses and David, and likely Elijah, and John the Baptist and
finally (or firstly) the Master and High Priest
of the Order.
Furthermore,
I believe that someone of the order of Melchizedek is the type of priest who
could be considered a “presence priest” or “presence prophet” of God. This
means that they are someone who basks in the presence of God and ministers to
Him and for Him. This is why my personal belief is that it originated with Enoch,
as already mentioned. I base this not just upon the biblical account of Enoch
but also upon his background information in the books of Jubilees and Jasher,
which include the testimonies of his continual, sequestered visitations with
God. Finally, God took Enoch, a man, to stand as a witness in
the end times of God’s patience, mercy, and longsuffering that He endured
before finally pronouncing judgment on mankind, i.e., the flood. Enoch was, and
is, and always shall be, the Presence Prophet of all ages. He dwelt in Yahweh’s
holy presence as the representative of His people and to His people as Yahweh’s
representative to them. And He will be a
witness in the end times of God’s righteous judgments.
Perhaps
this is the inference when the bread and wine was offered to the apostles on
the night of betrayal and is still offered to this day to God’s people. It is
the conferring of the priesthood, not by bloodline, but by choice.
Not by our choice, but according to God’s choice based upon our relationship
with Jesus.
If
all of this is true, and I believe it is, that means that there is a special
classification of priesthood or “order” that is not by bloodline. It is only by
the choice of the High Priest of the Order of Melchizedek. This kind of order
or classification of priest is a friend of God. He or she is one who
consistently enjoys being in the close presence of God more
than anything else in life. Certainly, Enoch fit into this category, as did
Noah and Shem and Abraham. King David the sweet psalmist also fit the bill and so
did Elijah. Of course there are still others within the Scriptures who did, as
well as many throughout history (including today) who did and do.
This
priestly order is still being filled today by those who lay their bread (flesh)
and wine (blood) on the altar of sacrifice to be consumed in the Master’s
presence. They are renewed in commitment to their vows every time their lips
touch the holy sacraments of the wine and the bread of that covenant.
Please
feel free to disagree with my deduction about Enoch and the order of
Melchizedek; however, there is no argument about the identity of Melchizedek.
It is far from a deduction. As I have already stated, it is derived from a
single passage of a reliable apocryphal passage: Jasher 16:11.
And
Adonizedek king of Jerusalem, the same was Shem, went out with his men to meet
Abram [Abraham], and his people, with bread and wine, and they remained
together in the valley of Melech.
Since
I have already given my opinion on this order throughout history, I will add
that I do strongly believe that this order is alive and functioning in the body
of Christ today. I also believe that the receiving of the elements of bread and
wine reenact and reinforce this covenant and the validity of this priesthood to
those whom the Lord chooses.
The
Lord chooses whom He chooses. Remember that the order of Melchizedek is not a
birth right or one that you “name and claim.” There are those who not only desire,
but earnestly seek, that intimate relationship with Jesus; and I believe that
God chooses from that fold those who will take on the order of
Melchizedek.
If
you desire to be a part of this order, remember this: The Order of Melchizedek
is a high calling that reflects the prophet or priest of His presence and seems
to flow to those who zealously desire and earnestly seek the company of the
Lord.
Some
Explanations and Considerations
Having
heard some of the old sermons on Melchizedek, I have lined up my arguments against
those who might oppose my explanation of Shem being Melchizedek. Most of these are
based upon presumed questions from the biblical book of Hebrews chapter 7. This
section has some figures of speech that will need some clarification.
For
this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham
returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham
gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and
then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” without father, without
mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life,
but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. Now consider how
great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the
spoils. ~Hebrews 7:1–4
We
now know that whoever this is, he is the same man as the one in Jasher 16:11.
He fits the description exactly, and the conclusion of this section of
scripture in Hebrews is to consider how great this man was. This is a figure of
speech called asyndeton according to Figures of Speech Used in
the Bible by E. W. Bullinger.6 This figure of
speech is basically a list of less significant things concluding with the
important item at the end. In this sense, it would emphasize the greatness of
the man to whom all these things apply. The finality of the statement concludes
with—consider this patriarch that even
Abraham would pay his tithe to.
The
reason these verses in Hebrews are loaded with figures of speech is to call
attention to them. The next one we’ll look at is in the second part of verse 3.
Without
father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor
end of life, but made like the Son of
God, remains a priest continually. ~Hebrews 7:3b
This
is a figure in that it cannot be taken literally because it applies immortal
traits to a mortal man. Of course there is a concept of a pre-incarnate Jesus;
but I believe that if that were the case, the apparition would have a home in
Jerusalem and men following Him. And why would He need an offering? I do not
believe that is the case, so there has to be another explanation.
Figures
of speech are legitimate grammatical tools that mark vitally significant points
in writing. As one of the rules of hermeneutics, whenever a statement cannot be
literally interpreted, it must be a figure of speech. There is a figure of
speech, condescensio,7 that ascribes human attributes to God;
in effect, God “condescends” to the level of man. A related figure is when
God’s attributes are ascribed to humans; in effect, man “ascends” toward
Godhood. In Hebrews 7:3, the description of “without father, without mother”
ascribed to Shem/Melchizedek emphasizes that he seemed to be immortal. We
know that Shem lived at least 600 years. He was born before the flood, and
everyone who had ever witnessed his birth was dead—and then he kept on living,
and living, and living. He finally died a little while after Isaac’s birth, and
it “seemed” to those who knew him that he had no beginning or ending, or
lineage, or anyone who even remembered where he came from. These are not
literal terms—they simply magnify his greatness.
“Made
like the Son of God” is another key
phrase where Godly attributes are given to mortal man. These were meant to mark
him as a man of esteem. We know that Shem was human and not perfect, which was
why it was stated, “made like,” and not “made” the Son of God. He did, however, have men who followed him
down from Jerusalem, “like the Son of God.” The verse concludes with “remains a
priest continually,” referring to the continuation of his priestly order even
unto this day, and possibly extending into the millennial kingdom.
Shem
is Melchizedek. It seems as if he had
no beginning or ending because he was born on the other side of the flood, and
it seemed as if he would never die,
with his life extending to 600 years old.
The
next figure of speech is found in verse 4: “Now consider how great this man
was.” The Greek word for “consider” here is theoreo. It is the word for “theater”
and means “to behold as if watching a play.”
The
conclusion of the information that comes before this, and the emphasis of it,
is to consider how great this man was. That means it’s time to pause and ponder
his greatness.
Have
you ever considered how great the patriarch Shem was? Perhaps not. I suspect
that not many of us have, but we are told here to consider this. Remember that Hebrews
was written to Jews who should have already known Melchizedek’s identity. The
Gentiles were not expected to know, but Torah-raised Jews should have. So, to
us “non-Torah” raised born-again Gentiles, Melchizedek during Abraham’s time
was the great Shem.
I
believe it would also do us well to stop and consider the life of Shem. He
lived on both sides of the flood—witnessing the Nephilim in their obsessive evil
as well as their demise in the waters. He even saw their beginnings, which came
forth after the disobedient angels lusted after and intermarried with some of
the human women around him and his family. He worked on building the ark with
his father and brothers and lived on it with his entire family and all the animals
that were brought on board according to the command of the Lord. And afterwards
he witnessed the rebirth of mankind, which must’ve been fascinating. He also
saw the emergence of the evil Nimrod who endeavored to build his tower into the
heavens themselves; and he eventually became his nemesis. As his family slowly died
off, Shem became one of the few believers in the true God left upon the face of
the earth. He was a great man of faith and a bridge of knowledge to Abraham
about life on the other side of the flood. Shem took his father Noah’s mantle
and passed it onto Abraham. His inheritance that was divided at the time of
Peleg was then given to Abraham as the heir to the Promised Land.
God
honored this great patriarch who carried the order of Melchizedek and we should
too, as Abraham did. We should honor all of those who came before us who lived
in the presence of the Lord and laid their lives down for Him in order to
advance His Kingdom on the earth. These patriarchs and matriarchs paved the way
for us, interceded for us, and set examples for us to follow.
Honoring
Our Spiritual Fathers and Mothers
Now
that we understand who Melchizedek was and can see the impact that he made upon
Abraham’s life, we should have a better idea of the significance of having a
spiritual mentor (whether “father” or “mother”) in our lives.
Abraham
gave a tenth of the spoils from his victory to the priest of the Most High God to
show his gratitude to God for bringing him and his men through such an intense battle
and miraculously giving them victory over such an invincible army. We should understand
by now that the priest of the Most High God that he gave his tithe to was his
spiritual father, Shem—his ancestor and mentor who, along with Noah, raised
him. We can look at the tithe he gave him that day as a thanks offering to his
spiritual father for all he had done
for him, in addition to the victorious battle he had just emerged from. This account
is sometimes used to teach the legalism of tithing, but it also shows the
gratitude of a spiritual son toward his spiritual father. Shem raised Abraham
in the right ways of Yahweh, teaching him about faith, interactions with angels,
and obedience to the Lord, in much the same way as a good dad takes his son
fishing and teaches him practical keys to living. Abraham was not giving a tenth
of his victorious earnings out of a sense of obligation to an esteemed
stranger—it was to his spiritual father.
It
was no accident or coincidence that Melchizedek was in the same geographical
area when this lopsided battle took place. Where do you think you would have
been if your son was competing in the Olympics? Perhaps we have never even
heard of or considered the magnitude of this military conflict; however, it may
possibly be one of the greatest victories in history. If your spiritual son
returned from such a victory over a massive evil army, wouldn’t you want to be
there to congratulate him? Shem traveled with a company of men from Jerusalem
to honor his spiritual son—to bless him and show his gratitude to Yahweh for
bringing him through it victoriously.
Another
reason for Abraham’s gift to Melchizedek could have been to thank him for his
intercession. As a priest and a spiritual father, it is quite feasible that
Melchizedek was in earnest intercession for Abraham during the battle. Perhaps that
is what the order of Melchizedek does? Remember that our High Priest, Yeshua,
ever lives to make intercession for us in our own spiritual battle here upon
the earth.
But He, because He continues
forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to
the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make
intercession for them. ~Hebrews 7:24–25
Spiritual sons and daughters should be grateful for their
mentors, just as their mentors (spiritual fathers or mothers) should acknowledge
the accomplishments of their sons and daughters. Furthermore, Abraham’s “loot”
was his to do with as he chose. It had been collected from Chedorlaomer and his
army after conquering them in what was probably a very intense battle. How much
wealth can we imagine would come from 600,000 enemy soldiers?
I believe that Abraham gave his spiritual father the crème de la crème of what they took. After all, Shem was the one who built into him the kind of courage and faith required to take on such a formidable battle with so few men in his own small army.
There is a great lesson in this, and it is not simply
that we should give a tenth of everything we have to those who teach us. It is to
have the heart response of love, loyalty, respect, and honor towards those
whose shoulders we have stood upon through the years. Think about it. Abraham
walked up to his spiritual father and said in today’s terms, “Hey Dad, here is
everything you will need until the day you die (which, in Shem’s case was a
long time). Here is your new house on the golf course, your new Cadillac, and your
cattle on a thousand hills. Thanks for everything you taught me.”
Abraham did not hand over this stash to an unknown man
but to his spiritual father. Furthermore, the emphasis in all these verses is
about the honor due Melchizedek, who was
greater than Abraham.
When
we think it through logically to consider who this “greater man” could have
been, we must consider the following historical facts: The Great Noah was dead.
He left behind only one son who followed Yahweh—Shem. The other two were
heathen. Therefore, only Shem remained as the one who could fulfill this
“greater man” description. In Shem’s bloodline were two believers: Eber and
Peleg. Sadly, the rest were idol worshippers. Eventually, Eber and Peleg both
passed, leaving Shem as the only viable candidate.
Most
Jews who read Hebrews when it was first written should have known who
Melchizedek was from their history, which they should have been taught. Shem was
the primo geniture of Noah and most likely the rightful heir of the priestly
mantle. After the flood, Shem and Noah stood side-by-side together as the great
counselors of the new generations born from that point on. After Noah’s death, Shem
would have inherited the patriarchal status and been considered the greatest
man on the earth, from a Godly perspective. It was only fitting that Abraham
would honor the one who not only raised him but was carrying the priestly anointing
and mantle of Noah, who likely received it from Enoch.
It
was Shem who brought wine and bread to honor the Great God who delivered
Abraham and his warriors from the armies of the heathen.
In
conclusion, it is my belief that Melchizedek (Shem) transferred his priestly mantle
to Abraham.
Conclusion
Melchizedek’s
priesthood was bestowed upon him by divine calling and not by bloodline. His
offering of bread and wine sealed a covenant with Abraham, just as Jesus’s did
with His apostles during their last time together before His arrest. I do not
know if the order of Melchizedek is bestowed every time someone receives Holy
Communion. It seems a more specific and higher calling than that, especially
when you consider that Jesus chose to take it only with His closest friends and
chosen family.
I
do believe for those who have taken deep vows of surrendering their
lives—including limb, fame, and fortune—for the cause of God’s kingdom and the
King of Glory, that their receiving of Holy Communion renews their vow to the
priestly order of Melchizedek. Remember that we have been called to be priests
and kings.
And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain,
and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and
people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall
reign on the earth.” ~Revelation 5:9–10
We
are kings and priests of our God. We are called by grace, renewed by the blood
of Jesus and refreshed by our commitment to the death. And remember, only the
High Priest of the Order (Jesus) ordains us into this priesthood.
Years
ago I wrote a book entitled 40 Days of
Communion in Your Home8 that became my most widely circulated
book. Knowing what I know now about Melchizedek, if I were to make a new
edition of it, I would certainly include a section about Holy Communion being a
reminder of the priesthood of Melchizedek. This is not a light thing, and we
realize from “considering” our examples of Shem, Abraham, Enoch, and of course Jesus,
that it is a specific calling of dwelling in the Lord’s presence that has a
high and deep level of intimacy with the Lord.
The
priesthood of Melchizedek is not a bloodline calling but it is of the Lord’s
choosing. He calls those He chooses for this priesthood to a much higher level
of prayer and relationship with Him. Remember this from now on when you receive
Holy Communion. Meditate upon the reality that it is symbolic of the bread and
wine offered by Melchizedek, which was prophetically fulfilled in Messiah—the
true and consummate Priest of Yahweh’s Presence.
The
priesthood of Melchizedek is one of prayer and intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ,
not by bloodline but by being chosen and hand-picked by the Master. The Head of
the Order is the Highest of all the High Priests, Yahshua ben Yahweh—and He
chooses those who choose Him.
Jesus
Is Forever the High Priest
of the Order of Melchizedek
The LORD has sworn and will not
relent, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
~Psalm 110:4
And it is yet far more evident if,
in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest who has come, not
according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an
endless life. For He testifies: “You are a priest forever according to the
order of Melchizedek.” ~Hebrews 7:15–17
All honor to Jesus and the Everlasting Order of Melchizedek!
Notes:
1.
J. H. Parry, The Book of Jasher 2022
Complete Exhaustive 1840 J.H. Parry Edition (Muskogee, OK: Artisan
Publishers, 2022).
2.
The time discrepancy is clearly explained
in J.R. Church’s book, Daniel Reveals the
Bloodline of the Antichrist, Appendix 1, “The Jewish Calendar’s Missing
Years” (n.p.: Prophecy in the News, 2010).
3.
Hermeneutic is defined as “the study of
the methodological principles of interpretation (as of the Bible)” in “Hermeneutic.”
Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster,
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hermeneutic. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
4.
The Old Testament spelling is
“Melchizedek,” whereas the New Testament spelling is “Melchisedec” in the King James Version of
the Bible in the book of Hebrews.
5.
The relationship between Shem and Abraham
is more fully explored in Abraham, His Unknown Years and Revealed Secrets,
a historical novel by Dale M. Sides available in e-book and audiobook formats
from the LMCI.org bookstore.
6.
Asyndeton.
E. W. Bullinger, Figures of Speech Used in the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Book House, 1968 reprint edition), 137. Originally published in 1898.
7.
Condescensio.
E.W. Bullinger, Figures of Speech, 871.
8.
40 Days of Communion in Your Home
by Dale M. Sides is available in booklet and e-book formats from the online
bookstore at LMCI.org
