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Ty, you wrote a post entitled "Psalm 110" but there was nothing in it.

tyolilums wrote:

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If this is so, why would this psalm suggest that from David and/or Avraham this same king-priesthood would emerge or why even make a connection? Or asked another way, why would Malche Tzedek be brought up to those under the Aaronic priesthood?

Ty, your question presumes that Melchizedek is a name and that the person being spoken of in Psalm 110 is being compared to a specific person BY that name. Your presumption is incorrect as has been explained to you in ATR. Melchi zedek are two words.

Melchi = king

Zedek = righteous

It is a description, not a name. Not even a title. The Psalmist is simply speaking of a righteous king.

Also, Psalm 110 doesn't say that King David will be a priest. As I pointed out in the ATR forum, the word "kohein" can be used to speak of rulers, priests and even lay people performing priestly like functions (for example, kings bring certain sacrifices -- that doesn't make them a priest, but they do have certain religious roles).

The King of Salem in Genesis is called a righteous king (melchi tzedek), but it is a description not a name. Just as we say "your honor" to a judge, the term is used as an honorarium for many or even all judges.

Xian translators didn't translate the Hebrew here and made it LOOK like a name (melchi tzedek) in their translations to support the idea that Jsus could be both king and priest is probably done so purposefully. (Just like they use the word "messiah" primarily in Daniel and don't use it to speak of Cyrus -- one supports the idea of their religion and the other doesn').

In translations the translator has to keep in mind what the text says and also what people EXPECT TO SEE. Therefore it isn't surprising since Jewish translations are relatively new that some things like "melchi tzedek" might still be found in Psalm 110 instead of it being translated to "righteous king." Some Jewish sages (including Rashi) do tie Psalm 110's use of the term back to the King of Salem. Rashi:

Because of the speech of Malchizedek, because of the command of Malchizedek. You are a priest, Heb. כהן. The word כהן bears the connotation of priesthood and rulership, as (II Sam. 8:18): "and David's sons were chief officers."

Artscroll translates it as "king of righteousness" (thus translating the Hebrew melchi tzedek into English). The Artscroll Stone Edition has:

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You shall be a priest forever, because you are a king of righteousness

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Artscroll has a footnote which says:

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A Jewish king should be like a priest, drawing G-d's people closer to His service

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Artscroll is saying that a Jewish king has many religious responsibilities (so he is "like" a priest) -- but it doesn't mean he IS a priest. Only the descendants of Aaron can be priests. Read all those quotes I gave you in my last post.

The Hebrw word is kohen and while commonly translated as "priest" it has other meanings. It is also used to describe powerful people. Even the KJV often translates it for rulers (which David was). Here are examples of translating the word you say is "priest" in Psalm 110 as ruler:

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2 Samuel 8:18(KJV) - And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers (kohenim).

2 Samuel 20:26(KJV) - And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler (kohenim) about David.

1 Kings 4:5(KJV) - And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer (kohen) and the king's friend

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Psalm 110 says that David is a kohein -- which although it CAN mean priest also can be translated as "chief ruler." David was NOT a priest, but he most certainly WAS a chief ruler who performed priestly functions (in his role as king).

The King of Salem was a king and a priest before (as you pointed out) there was a covenant with Abraham. Therefore he could be (and was) both king and priest. However, he PRE-DATES Abraham, let alone Moses.

The Greek text by trying to say that Jsus was a priest "like Melchizedek" ignores chronology. If Jsus was a priest like Melchitzedek then he was"

a) not a Jew
b) not a Jewish priest (since he wasn't a Jew)
c) not a Jewish king (since he wasn't a Jew).

The King of Salem predated the covenant with Abraham.

The King of Salem predated the covenant with Jacob, with Isaac and with Moses.

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And they shall have the priesthood as a statute forever, and you shall consecrate Aaron and his sons. (Ex. 29:9)

Bring close Aaron your brother and his sons with him from among the children of Israel to become priests to Me [for all time]. (Exodus 28:1)

And anoint them as you anointed their father, that they may serve Me, and it shall be for them an appointment to an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations. (Exodus 40:15)

You and your sons with you shall keep your priesthood . I give your priesthood as a gift of service. (Numbers 18:7)

It is an everlasting covenant of salt before G-d with you and with your descendants. (Numbers 18:19)

And it shall be to him and to his descendants after him a covenant of everlasting priesthood . (Numbers 25:13)

For G-d your G-d has chosen him of all your tribes to stand and serve with the name of G-d he and his sons forever. (Deuteronomy 18:5)

The priests, the Levites, the sons of Tzedek kept the charge of my Sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near to Me to serve Me and stand before Me to offer before Me the fat and the blood, says the Lord, G-d. (Ezekiel 44:15)

For the priests lips shall keep knowledge, and Torah you shall seek from his mouth, for he is a messenger of G-d. (Malachi 2:7)

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So, Ty, if we keep history and chronology in mind we see that the priesthood for Jews became a biological link to the tribe of Levi through Aaron -- many hundreds of years AFTER Abraham and the King of Salem.

So by the time of David priests were of the tribe of Levi and kings of Judah.

While translating things it helps to keep very basic "rules" in mind, not the least of which is that time passes and history changes things. There was a time America was a British colony, but we no longer bow to the King (or Queen) of England. Things changed. So, too, was the King of Salem a monotheist who worshiped the true G-d and was both a righteous king and priest -- but he was not a Jew, let alone a Jewish priest or king.