Melchizedek Passages in the Bible: A Case Study for Inner-Biblical and Inter-Biblical Interpretation

✍ Scribed by Chan Alan KamYau

• Publisher: De Gruyter Open Poland
• Year: 2016
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 274
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Open Access

Melchizedek is a mysterious figure to many people. Adopting discourse analysis and text-linguistic approaches, Chan attempts to tackle the Melchizedek texts in Genesis 14, Psalm 110, and Hebrews 5-7. This seminal study illustrates how the mysterious figure is understood and interpreted by later biblical writers, "... Using the “blessing” motif as a framework, Chan also argues that Numbers 22-24, 2 Samuel 7 and the Psalter: Books I-V (especially Psalms 1-2) provide a reading paradigm of interpreting Psalm 110. In addition, the structure of Hebrews provides a clue to how the author interprets the Old Testament texts.

Melchizedek, Biblical Interpretation, Inner-Biblical Interpretation

✦ Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
1 An Introduction to Inner-Biblical and Inter-Biblical Interpretation: With Special Reference to the Melchizedek Passages
1.1 A Survey of Relevant Literature
1.1.1 A Critique of Kruijf’s Article
1.2 Issues Regarding the OT and the NT Use of the OT
1.2.1 Issue 1: How a Text is Quoted
1.2.2 Issue 2: Hermeneutical Methodology Used by Biblical Writers
1.3 Towards Defining Inner- and Inter-Biblical Interpretation
2 The Issue of Methodology Regarding Inner- and Inter-Biblical Interpretation: Discourse Analysis (Text-Linguistics)
2.1 Methodology: Discourse Analysis
2.1.1 Discourse Analysis (Text-linguistics)
2.2 One Major Issue Regarding Text-Linguistics
2.3 Applications of Text-Linguistics to Biblical Studies
3 The Issue of Methodology Regarding Inner-Biblical and Inter-Biblical Interpretation: Rhetorical Criticism
3.1 Methodology: Rhetorical Criticism
3.1.1 Rhetorical Criticism: Methodological Diversity
3.2 Issues of Rhetorical Criticism in Biblical Studies
3.3 An Adaptation of Rhetorical Criticism in Our Study
3.4 Concluding Remarks: The Use of Discourse Analysis (Text-Linguistics) and Rhetorical Criticism
3.5 The Limitations of Our Study
3.5.1 Selectivity in Analyzing Texts
3.5.2 Dating of the Texts
4 A Literary and Discourse Analysis of Genesis 14
4.1 Rhetorical Criticism of Genesis 14
4.1.1 Rhetorical Criticism: Determine the Rhetorical Unit
4.1.2 Rhetorical Criticism: An Examination of the Arrangement of Genesis 14
4.1.3 Rhetorical Criticism: Stylistic Use of Several Keywords
4.2 Discourse Analysis of Genesis 14
4.2.1 Discourse Analysis: A Syntagmatic Study of the Keyword $lm
4.2.2 Discourse Analysis: A Syntagmatic Study of the Keyword ~lv
4.2.3 Discourse Analysis: A Syntagmatic Study of the Keyword acy
4.2.4 Discourse Analysis: A Syntagmatic Study of the Keywords !wyl[ la
4.2.5 Discourse Analysis: A Syntagmatic Study of the Keyword $rb
4.2.6 A Summary of the Rhetorical and Discourse Study and Its Implication for the Next Chapter
5 A Literary and Discourse Analysis of the Contexts of Genesis 14: Various Texts in Genesis and Number 22-24
5.1 Studies on the Cotexts of Genesis 14: Various Texts in Genesis Itself
5.1.1 The Literary-Thematic Relationshipbetween Genesis 13 and 14
5.1.2 The Literary-Thematic Relationship between Genesis 14 and 15
5.1.3 Literary-Thematic Relationship between Genesis 12 and 14
5.1.4 A Study of Genesis 12-15 as a „Unit”
5.1.5 A Study of the Relationship Between Genesis 12-15 and 17
5.1.6 A Study of the Relationship Between Genesis 12-15 and 22
5.1.7 A Study of Genesis 49, With Special Reference to vv. 8-12 in View of Genesis 12-15
5.2 A Study of Numbers 22-24 as a Cotext for Genesis 14 (12-15): Their Literary-Thematic Relationship
5.2.1 The Oracles of Balaam in Their Present Literary Context
5.2.2 A Survey of the Content of the Balaam Pericope
5.2.3 A Rhetorical Arrangement of the Four Oracles
5.2.4 A Syntagmatic Study of the Key Word $rb
5.2.5 A Thematic Progression Of the Balaam Oracles
5.3 A Summary: The Literary-Thematic Relationships Between Genesis 14 (12-15) and Numbers 22-24
5.4 Concluding Remarks
6 A Literary and Discourse Analysis of the Contexts of Genesis 14: 2 Samuel 7
6.1 A Study of 2 Samuel 7 and Its Relationship to Genesis 14 (and Its Cotexts)
6.1.1 A Syntagmatic and Rhetorical Study of the Cotext of 2 Samuel 7, Particularly with 2 Samuel 6
6.1.2 A Rhetorical and Syntagmatic Study of 2 Samuel 7
6.1.3 A Study of the Oracle of Nathan
6.1.4 A Study of the Prayer of David
6.2 A Summary: An Examination of the Literary Relationships of Genesis 14, Numbers 22-24 and 2 Samuel 7
6.3 Conclusion: Our Study of Genesis 14 with Its Cotexts (Genesis 12-22, Numbers 22-24 and 2 Samuel 7)
7 A Literary and Discourse Analysis of Psalm 110
7.1 A Poetic and Rhetorical Study of Psalm 110
7.1.1 Textual Notes for Psalm 110
7.2 A Rhetorical-Poetical Analysis of Psalm 110
7.2.1 A Poetic Structure Analysis: Intra-Verse Connectives
7.2.2 A Poetic Structure Analysis: Inter-Verse Connectives
7.2.3 A Poetic Structure Analysis: The Structure of Two Strophes
7.2.4 A Rhetorical Structure of Psalm 110
7.2.5 A Poetic Study of Psalm 110: Word and Syllable Count
7.3 A Poetic-Rhetorical Reading of Psalm 110: Historical or Messianic?
7.3.1 His Rule: The Extent of Time and Location
7.3.2 His Rule: A Priestly Overtone
7.3.3 His Supernatural Birth
7.3.4 His Life of Human Nature
7.4 Conclusion
8 The Canonical Shape of the Psalter as Cotexts for Understanding Psalm 110: With Special Reference to Psalms 1-2 and Book I-IV
8.1 A Programmatic Understanding of Psalm 110: Psalms 1-2 as an Editorial Introduction to the Program of Understanding
8.1.1 A Programmatic Structure of the Psalter Shaped by Psalms 1 and 2
8.1.2 Psalms 1 and 2 Are One Theological Unit
8.1.3 Effect of the Rhetorical Structure of Psalm 1
8.1.4 The Effect of the Rhetorical Structure of Psalm 2
8.1.5 A Theological Interaction of Psalms 1-2: Shaping the Reading of the Psalter
8.2 A Study of Books I-II: With Special Reference to Psalm 72 in View of the Editorial Introduction of Psalms 1-2
8.3 A Study of Book III: With Special Reference to Psalm 89 in View of the Editorial Introduction of Psalms 1-2
8.4 A Study of Book IV in View of Books I-III and the Editorial Introduction of Psalms 1-2
9 The Canonical Shape of the Psalter as Cotexts for Understanding Psalm 110: A Study of Book V of the Psalter
9.1 A Theological Echo of Book V in the Torah-Revelation-to-Trusting the Messiah in the Psalter
9.1.1 dwd in the Superscriptions and in the Texts of Book V Signifying a Similar Redactional Reading as Advanced by Psalms 1-2
9.1.2 The First Argument: The Transformation of the Songs of Ascents by the Presence of dwd
9.1.3 The Second Argument: The Editorial Shape of Book V by the Presence of dwd
9.1.4 The Third Argument: The Thematic-Semantic Links of the “Three” Davidic Collections in Book V
9.1.5 The Fourth Argument: The Presence of dwd in Book V Having the Davidic Covenant as a Major Concern
9.2 Psalm 119 Signifying a Similar Redactional Reading Advanced by Psalms 1-2
9.3 An Investigation of the Editorial Shape of the Psalter: The Contribution of Psalms 1-2, Book V, Particularly with Psalm 132 to the Reading of Psalm 110
9.3.1 The Two Royal Psalms with Messianic References Serving as “Inclusio” for the Reading of the Psalter: A Study of Psalms 2 and 132
9.3.2 The Contribution of Psalms 2 to Our Understanding of Psalm 110
9.3.3 The Contribution of Book V, Spearheaded by Psalm 132, to the Reading of Psalm 110
9.3.4 The $rb-Motif as Frame in the Psalter Particularly in Light of Psalms 1-2 and the Songs of Ascents, Led by Psalm 132
9.4 A Summary: The Literary-Theological Relationships of Genesis 14 (with Its Cotexts) with 2 Samuel 7 and Psalm 110
10 A Literary and Structural Analysis of Hebrews 1-7: An Inter-Biblical Interpretation of Melchizedek
10.1 A Rhetorical Analysis of the Thematic Development in the Structure of Hebrews: The Use of the OT Scriptures as Clue
10.1.1 The Structure of Hebrews in Light of the OT Allusions and Citations in Hebrews 1
10.1.2 A Thematic Development of Hebrews in Light of the Rhetorical Structure, Cast by the OT Allusions and Citations in Hebrews 1
10.1.3 Son as an „Inclusion” in Hebrews 1 and 7: Its Rhetorical Effect on Hebrews 1-7
10.1.4 Citations and Allusions of Psalm 2 and 110 in Hebrews 1 and 7 as a Rhetorical Effect for the Son as the Overarching Theme
10.1.5 Rhetorical Effect of the Son in Hebrews 1-7: Answers to Some Possible Issues
11 A Discourse Analysis of Hebrews 1-7: Syntagmatic Use of the „Son” in Light of the Quotations and Allusions of Old Testament Scripture
11.1 A Syntagmatic Use of the Son, Carrying the Notion of High Priesthood in Hebrews 4:14-7:28, in Light of the OT References in Hebrews
11.2 An Interpretation of Hebrews 7, With Special Reference to Genesis 14 and Psalms 2 and 110
11.2.1 The Kingship Notion (Alongside the Priesthood Notion) in Hebrews 7:1-2
11.2.2 Heb 7:4-10 as an Explanation for the Motifs of Blessing and Tithes, Found in Genesis 14
11.2.3 Heb 7:4-10 as an Explanation for the Phrase avpa,twr avmh,twr avgenealo,ghtoj “Without Father, Without Mother, Without Genealogy”
11.2.4 The Implication of a Change of Priesthood: A Change of Law as Explained in Hebrews 7:11-19
11.2.5 The Change of Priesthood Confirmed by the Divine Oath in Hebrews 7:20-22
11.2.6 The Priesthood of Melchizedek Continues Because the Son (of God) Lives Forever in Hebrews 7:23-25
11.2.7 A Summary of Our Finding in Hebrews 7
11.3 The Quotations and Allusions of the OT Shaping the Theme and Structure of Hebrews (1-7): A Summary
11.3.1 The Quotations and Allusions of the OT, Especially Psalms 2 and 110 with Genesis 14 and its Cotexts, Shaping the Structure of Hebrews (1-7)
11.3.2 The Quotations and Allusions of the OT, Especially Psalms 2 and 110 with Genesis 14 and its Cotexts, Shaping the Message or Theme of Hebrews (1-7)
11.3.3 The Quotations of and Allusions to the OT in Hebrews Shaping the Book Itself
11.4 Conclusion of the Study of Hebrews 1-7
12 Assessment and Conclusion
12.1 The Methodologies Applied to the Study of Inner-Biblical and Inter-Biblical Interpretation
12.2 Inter-Biblical Interpretation: The Issue of Hermeneutics as Illustrated by Hebrews
12.3 Inner-Biblical Interpretation: A Continued Discussion of the Issue of Hermeneutics
12.4 Some Final Remarks
Bibliography
Author Index