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

by Fred L. Horton Jr.

• ISBN13: 9780521210140
• ISBN10: 0521210143
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2019-06-01
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

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

Table of Contents

Preface

Abbreviations

Introduction

The background sources I: the Old Testament

The background sources II: Philo, Qumran, and Josephus

The later sources I: the Early Church and the Rabbis

The later sources II: gnosticism

Conclusion: Melchizedek and the Epistle to the Hebrews

Select bibliography

Indexes

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