Source: Margaret Barker, The Hidden Tradition of the Kingdom of God (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2007), 54–76.
This podcast on Margaret Barker's "The Hidden Tradition of the Kingdom of God" delves into the multifaceted figure of Melchizedek and his profound significance for understanding the origins of the high priesthood and the early Christian concept of the Kingdom of God. We will examine biblical texts, inter-testamental literature like the Dead Sea Scrolls and Enochian writings, and even early Christian and Jewish interpretations to argue that Melchizedek represents an older, royal priesthood predating the Levites and Aaron. We suggest that early Christians, influenced by texts like Psalm 110 and the Qumran Melchizedek scroll, identified Jesus as the ultimate high priest in the order of Melchizedek, seeing his resurrection not just as a return from death but as his enthronement into this divine, eternal priesthood, thus restoring the true Kingdom. The podcast highlights a forgotten tradition where Melchizedek was understood as a divine being, sometimes equated with the God or the Logos, whose priesthood offered a different path to divine presence than the later temple system.
1. The Development and Difficulties of the High Priesthood in Ancient Israel: The high priesthood was hereditary through the lineage of Levi and specifically Aaron, holding a vital position in temple worship and acting as a link between the divine and the earthly realms. Despite its importance, the high priesthood faced various challenges, such as inconsistent use of the title, instances of kings performing priestly duties, and corruption within high priestly families during the Second Temple period. The legitimacy and continuity of the high priestly line were also subjects of dispute and questioned in various historical and prophetic texts.
2. Melchizedek: An Ancient and Distinct Form of Priesthood: Melchizedek, a priest of God Most High and king of Salem who predates the Aaronite priesthood, represents an older, royal priesthood, notably appearing in Genesis offering bread and wine to Abraham. Due to the absence of a genealogy in the biblical account, traditions arose depicting Melchizedek as having no earthly parents or lifespan, leading to the concept of a perpetual priesthood in contrast to the mortal Aaronite priests. Interpretations of Melchizedek varied, with Jewish traditions sometimes identifying him with figures like Shem, while early Christians saw his uncircumcised priesthood as superior to the Levitical one and honored by Abraham.
3. Early Christian Understanding of Melchizedek and His Connection to Jesus: Early Christians viewed Jesus as the great high priest in the order of Melchizedek, emphasizing a priesthood based on resurrection and eternal life rather than hereditary descent, as elaborated in the Letter to the Hebrews. Melchizedek was also associated with the Logos and pre-incarnate appearances of the LORD in early Christian thought. The concept of a "royal priesthood" extended to the Christian community, seeing themselves as participants in the Kingdom of God through this Melchizedekian connection.
4. Insights into Melchizedek from Second Temple Period Texts: The Qumran Melchizedek text revealed a previously unknown portrayal of him as an angelic figure who would return to bring the Jubilee, announcing release from evil and divine judgment, and being identified with the LORD . Other Second Temple texts, such as The Testament of Levi and The Apocalypse of Abraham, offered alternative perspectives on priesthood and figures potentially linked to the Melchizedek tradition, indicating diverse understandings of priestly authority. These texts suggest that the figure of Melchizedek was significant in debates about the nature of priesthood and divine authority in the period leading up to and during early Christianity.
5. The Relationship Between Priesthood and the Kingdom of God: In ancient Israel, high priests were seen as having a connection to the Kingdom of God. Early Christians believed that through baptism, they could enter this Kingdom, aligning with the concept of a high priesthood of all believers. Melchizedek's anticipated return was associated with the coming of the Kingdom of God and the Jubilee, a time of liberation and restoration. Jesus' ministry was interpreted by some early Christians as the fulfillment of prophecies related to Melchizedek and the arrival of the Kingdom, highlighting the centrality of the royal priesthood of Melchizedek in understanding the nature and inauguration of this Kingdom.
1. Who were the high priests in ancient Israel, and what was their significance?
The high priests in ancient Israel, primarily from the lineage of Aaron within the tribe of Levi, held a unique and pivotal role. They were the only ones permitted to enter the Holy of Holies in the temple and eat the most holy bread, acting as a crucial link between heaven and earth, often likened to angels. For about a thousand years, they were central to temple worship, marked with the Name at their consecration, similar to how early Christians believed they were marked at baptism, enabling them to enter the Kingdom of God. However, despite their long tenure, detailed information about individual high priests remains scarce.
2. How did the understanding and status of the high priesthood evolve over time, particularly during and after the exile?