Background

Melchizedek appears briefly but significantly in Genesis 14:18-20, then is mentioned again in Psalm 110:4 and extensively in Hebrews 5-7. Despite his limited appearances, he plays a crucial role in biblical theology.

Arguments Supporting This View:

• Longevity: According to biblical chronology, Shem would have been alive during Abraham's time, making it chronologically possible for him to be Melchizedek. Shem died in 1846 BC, whereas Abraham was born in 1996 BC.
• Lineage: As Noah's son, Shem was in the messianic line, which aligns with Melchizedek's significance in biblical theology.
• Priesthood: Some argue that Shem, as the eldest son of Noah, would have inherited the role of family priest, explaining Melchizedek's priestly status.
• Name Meaning: "Melchizedek" means "king of righteousness," which some see as a title rather than a proper name, potentially applicable to Shem.
• Respect from Abraham: Abraham's reverence for Melchizedek could be explained by Shem's status as his ancestral patriarch.

Challenges to This View:

• Lack of Explicit Biblical Statement: The Bible never directly identifies Melchizedek as Shem.
• Hebrews' Description: Hebrews 7:3 describes Melchizedek as "without father or mother" which seems at odds with Shem's well-documented lineage. But, the phrase may simply mean that his parents (Noah included) had died.

Floyd Nolen Jones' Perspective:

Dr. Jones, in his chronological studies, supports the view that Melchizedek was Shem. His arguments often focus on the chronological feasibility and the logical consistency of Shem holding such a revered position in Abraham's time.

Implications of This Interpretation:

• It would provide a direct link between the pre-flood and post-flood patriarchs.
• It could offer insights into the continuation of the priesthood from Noah's time to Abraham's.
• It might affect our understanding of the typology between Melchizedek and Christ in Hebrews.

Conclusion:

While the identification of Melchizedek as Shem is an interesting and thought-provoking interpretation, it remains a topic of debate among biblical scholars. This view offers a way to connect various parts of the biblical narrative but also faces significant challenges, particularly from the book of Hebrews.

The question remains, if Shem were not Melchizedek, then who was? Shem and his two brothers were, at the time of Abraham's visit, the three oldest men on the planet, having been born a century before the flood. Shem, in the line of the Messiah, would have received the title of high priest, and retained this title until death.