Melchizedek's Seal and Scroll - Mitchell

I have recently discovered that some of my writings on the Seal of Melchizedek (in which I have written five posts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) have been utilized in a recently self-published work entitled Melchizedek's Seal & Scroll, by Alan Rex Mitchell. The author provides the following summarization of his book:

Multiple Melchizedek associations are brought together in this illuminating book; originating with the popular Seal of Melchizedek as a symbol for rebirth, resurrection, and righteousness, and culminating in the Dead Sea Scroll named Melchizedek. Using ancient sources from Coptic Christianity, 2nd Enoch, Joseph Smith, and the prophets Alma and Daniel, the narrative leads to the Scroll's prophecy of the King of Righteousness in the last days.

The book is broader in scope then the necessarily limited nature of my posts that he cites, nevertheless, I appreciate that the author has taken notice of my writings and incorporated some of this material into his discussion of the Seal of Melchizedek. It appears that the majority of the book focuses on DSS 11Q13, frequently referred to as the Melchizedek Document of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and some other canonical and non-canonical writings. The link to Amazon above will allow any interested parties to preview the book's contents.

The Eight-Pointed Star, Melchizedek, and Divine Light

Cefalù Cathedral, Sicily, Italy, ca. 12th century - Melchizedek1

The "concept of Divine Light," according to Constantin Marinescu Marin, "...reveals the way the human being had been experiencing luminosity as an attribute that was shared "by all things considered divin[e] and holy.""2   According to Marin, in the ancient world there were two types of "stellar symbols," connected with divine light, including the "star with eight points expressing the concept of a supernatural radiance emanating from a deity as per se, disregarding the being of the deity.  This type of star is unfailing in Christian art and it is called along this work, the Star of Nativity."  The second symbol is the "eight-pointed star, formed by two squares overlapped diagonally, [and] is another type which expresses a dual meaning, the being of the deity and his energy."3  Both were eight-pointed stars, but fashioned differently.  The star that Marin refers to as the "star with eight points," or the Nativity Star, is depicted in the following 12th century late-Byzantine style mosaic in Palermo, Italy:

Legendary Lives of the Patriarchs - Melchizedek

March 5, 2012
by Tim Barker

In 1871, the Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould published one of his many works, Legends of Old Testament Characters From the Talmud and Other Sources, Vol. II: Melchizedek to Zechariah.  In this collection, he provides an array of ancient sources that illustrates various views held on the character of Melchizedek.  Speculation ranges from Melchizedek being the same person as Enoch, Shem, and even the Savior Jesus Christ.  All of the information included below feeds into the complex puzzle of the identity of Melchizedek and his career and role as a priest of the God Most High.

The Apocryphal Melchizedek - The Genesis Apocryphon

December 6, 2011
by Tim Barker

The meeting of Abram and Melchizedek1

The Genesis Apocryphon was found in the caves of Qumran, and constitutes part of the Dead Sea Scrolls (this scroll is referenced as 1Q20).  This apocryphal book of scripture stands apart from other texts from Qumran, as Joseph Fitzmyer notes, "there is nothing in this text that clearly links it with any of the known beliefs or customs of the Qumran sect.  There is practically no Essene theology in this work, and it is difficult to see what exegetical or doctrinal meditations were at work in the composition of this text."2  While this would seem to indicate a text pre-dating the Qumran community, nevertheless, Fitzmyer dates the language of the text to the 1st Century BCE.3  Other scholars have had differing opinions on the dating of the text.4  At any rate, the content itself is similar to Genesis with degrees of variation.  Avigad and Yadin noted that "it is actually a sort of apocryphal version of stories from Genesis, faithful, for the most part, to the order of the chapters in Scripture.  Some chapters of the scroll begin and end precisely as the comparable chapters of Genesis do, though the narrative in the scroll is in large part couched in the first person."5  Others have noted that with the additions made to the biblical text, it may be more of a commentary "in the manner of the Targumim."6 

The Apocryphal Melchizedek - Nag Hammadi Library

October 30, 2011
by Tim Barker

Melchizedek XI, 1, 1-27, 10

From The Nag Hammadi Library (James M. Robinson, Ed.)

Translated by Søren Giversen and Birger A. Pearson

Context

The Nag Hammadi Library is a collection of early Christian Gnostic texts found in upper Egypt near the town Nag Hammadi in 1945.  These texts were translated under the direction of James M. Robinson by the Coptic Gnostic Library Project of the Institute for Antiquity and Christianity, first published in 1977; and provided below from the 1981 edition.  The following work was entitled Melchizedek, who is depicted as an "eschatological high priest and Messianic warrior," reflecting "Jewish speculations on Melchizedek current at the turn of the Common Era..."  In this apocryphal text, Melchizedek is identified with Jesus Christ.  This text was "originally written in Greek by an unknown author, possibly as early as the second century, probably in Egypt..."  The text contains revelations given to Melchizedek by heavenly messengers. The second revelation given to Melchizedek is his vision of the role of the Savior who suffered and triumphed.1 

Seal of Melchizedek - Eight-Pointed Star

May 27, 2011
Last updated October 9, 2011
by Tim Barker

In my initial posting on the Seal of Melchizedek, I noted that this symbol has been gaining popularity in LDS culture.  The eight-pointed star was illustrated in Hugh Nibley's book Temple and Cosmos, and was discussed by Bryce Haymond in his blog with respect to its connection with the architectural design of the San Diego Temple.  Nibley's book includes an illustration by Michael Lyon of a mosaic in St. Apollinare in Classe, in Ravenna, Italy, wherein the above symbol is located on the front of the altar cloth.  I discussed this mosaic and the symbol in terms of Christological symbolism.  I also cited the apocryphal Book of the Secrets of Enoch, noting that Melchizedek was purportedly born with the "seal of the priesthood" upon his chest, following which; I discussed the connection of the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God with the Melchizedek Priesthood.  I then pointed out that the mosaic in St. Apollinare in Classe, as well as the mosaic of Melchizedek and Abel in the Basilica of St. Vitale, both lend themselves towards being a temple setting.  Additionally, I pointed out that Freemason Henry P.H. Bromwell identified an eight-pointed star connected with the 47th problem of Euclid as the "signet of Melchizedek."  Additionally, I briefly noted the connection between the six-pointed star and Melchizedek.  Lastly, I stated that each of these elements come together within the temple.

Margaret Barker on Melchizedek

May 16, 2011 (updated June 21, 2011)
by Tim Barker

"Melchizedek arrayed in his royal robes"1

For those unacquainted with Margaret Barker and her contributions to Biblical studies (primarily on the Jerusalem Temple and Christian liturgy), a brief biography and curriculum vitae is provided.  Margaret Barker is a British scholar who studied theology at the University of Cambridge, a former President of the Society for Old Testament Study, a Research Fellow of the University of Wales, awarded "Doctor of Divinity" in 2008 by the Archbishop of Canterbury, a Methodist preacher, and author of 14 books and numerous papers.  She is known for developing an approach for studying ancient Christianity known as "Temple Theology."2  Her books include the following titles: The Older Testament, The Lost Prophet, The Gate of Heaven, The Great Angel, On Earth as it is in Heaven, The Risen Lord, Commentary on Isaiah, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, The Great High Priest, Temple Theology, An Extraordinary Gathering of Angels, The Hidden Tradition of the Kingdom, Temple Themes in Christian Worship, Christmas: the Original Story, and Creation: A Biblical Vision for the Environment.

The Seal of Melchizedek as a Christological Symbol

April 9, 2011 (updated June 6, 2011)
by Tim Barker

Altar in the Melchizedek and Abel Mosaic at St. Vitale, Ravenna, Italy1

As discussed in my previous posting, Alonzo Gaskill's article entitled, "The Seal of Melchizedek?" which was recently published in The Religious Educator, has inspired me to further research the historical significance of this enigmatic icon. Brother Gaskill focused much of his article on the eight-pointed star in terms of Christological symbolism. He identified several meaningful elements of the symbol, such as the gamma (or right angle), the square, the number eight, stars, and the eight-pointed star. It is the purpose of this post to expound on his commentary and analysis, as it relates to the elements of the eight-pointed star; whereas, discussion regarding the eight-pointed star itself will follow in a subsequent post. 

The Seal of Melchizedek and Michael Lyon

April 6, 2011
by Tim Barker

A short while ago I read an article entitled, "The Seal of Melchizedek?" which was recently published in The Religious Educator. The article was written by Alonzo Gaskill, an Assistant Professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University.1 The purpose of his article was to disassociate the "so-called Seal of Melchizedek" from the person of Melchizedek and the Melchizedek Priesthood, and to discuss possible meanings of the eight-pointed star in terms of Christological symbolism. While I take exception with his intent to disassociate the symbol with Melchizedek and the priesthood, Gaskill's identification of potential meanings of the symbol in relation to Christ is well done. This connection is a significant point that I attempted to illustrate in my previous posting on the subject, but Brother Gaskill is certainly more articulate and does a much better job at this than myself. He identifies several meaningful elements of the symbol, such as the gamma (or right angle), the square, the number eight, stars, and the eight-pointed star. He also discusses some history in connection with the symbol, including the development of the "lore," as well some general discussion on the evolution of symbols. 

The Historical Melchizedek - The Book of the Bee

August 10, 2010
by Tim Barker

The Book of the Bee was a sacred Christian History by the Nestorians, who were a Christian offshoot, based on the teachings of Nestorius the "Patriarch of Constantinople."  This movement began sometime in the mid 5th century A.D. after Nestorius' teachings were condemned by the Catholic Church as heretical in the First Council of Ephesus in 431 A.D.1 The text of this book is believed to have been written around 1222 A.D., by a Syrian Bishop named Solomon and contains many Biblical legends.2  From the text it is interesting to note that Melchizedek is given a genealogy from Noah through Shem, whose son was Arphaxad [Arphaxar below], and that Melchizedek received the priesthood from Shem.  The chapter on Melchizedek is included below:

The Seal of Melchizedek

August 8, 2010 (updated September 3, 2010)
by Tim Barker

The "Seal of Melchizedek" is becoming a popular icon within modern Latter-day Saint culture, generally popularized by stories regarding the design of the San Diego Temple, and briefly discussed by Hugh Nibley, in his Temple and Cosmos: Beyond This Ignorant Present.  Brother Nibley includes an illustration by Michael Lyon of the below mosaic, and describes it as follows:

Another Ravenna mosaic, c. A.D. 520, shows the priest-king Melchizedek in a purple cloak, offering bread and wine at the altar (Genesis 14:18-20).  The white altar cloth is decorated with two sets of gammadia, as well as the so-called "seal of Melchizedek," two interlocked squares in gold.  Abel offers his lamb as Abraham gently pushes Isaac forward.  The hand of God reaches down to this sacred meeting through the red veils adorned with golden gammadia on either side.  The theme is the great sacrifice of Christ, which brings together the righteous prophets from the past as well as the four corners of the present world, thereby uniting all time and space."1

The Three Sacrifices of the Old Testament. Abel, Melchisedec, and Abraham (6th-7th century).

Mosaic, Ravenna, Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe.2

The Apocryphal Melchizedek - The Book of the Secrets of Enoch

August 4, 2010
by Tim Barker

Abraham and Melchizedek, Verdun Altar, Bergun 1181 by Nicholas of Verdun

The purpose of this post is to document apocryphal writings relating to Melchizedek. This will be a continuing series, beginning with the Book of the Secrets of Enoch.  To take into consideration to our apocryphal studies, is Elder McConkie's statement that in order for us to "gain any real value from a study of apocryphal writings, the student must first have an extended background of gospel knowledge, a comprehensive understanding of the standard works of the Church, plus the guidance of the Spirit."1  Additionally, Hugh Nibley adds insight regarding a study of the corpus of apocryphal writings available.  He comments that "what makes the documents so exciting is that they follow along familiar grooves to the end and then continue onward into new territory, expanding the confines of the gospel."  He continues:

The Scriptural Melchizedek

August 3, 2010
by Tim Barker

Melchizedek offering bread and wine to Abraham, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, in Rome

The purpose of this post is to document all the references to Melchizedek and the Melchizedek Priesthood  (where specifically mentioned) within the scriptures.  Succeeding posts related to Melchizedek will be forthcoming, including an analysis of the Scriptural Melchizedek, the Apocryphal Melchizedek, the Messianic Melchizedek, and other similar studies will be forthcoming.

The Connection between Melchizedek and Shem

August 1, 2010
by Tim Barker

"...According to Jewish traditions, Melchizedek is Shem, the son of Noah, whom God consecrated to be a priest for ever, and who set up a kingdom on Salem."1 Included in his book on the Legends of Old Testament Characters, the Reverend Sabing Baring-Gould includes a quotation from the Targumim, stating, "Melchizedek, who was Shem, son of Noah, king of Jerusalem."2 Louis Ginzberg continues this tradition, in his Legends of the Bible (a condensed version of the 7-volume Legends of the Jews), stating that "when Abraham returned from the war, Shem, or, as he is sometimes called, Melchizedek, the king of righteousness, priest of God Most High, and king of Jerusalem, came forth to meet him with bread and wine."3 More recently, scholars Raphael Patai and Robert Graves note that, "others again say that Melchizedek (also known as Adoni-Zedek), was Abram's ancestor Shem, and that he now taught Abram the duties of priesthood..."4 Numerous other historical Jewish sources confirm this same teaching.