Martin McNamara, «Melchizedek: Gen 14,17-20 in the Targums, in Rabbinic and Early Christian Literature», Vol. 81 (2000) 1-31

The essay is introduced by some words on the nature of the Aramaic translations of Gen 14 used in the study (the Tgs. Onq., Pal. Tgs. as in Tgs. Neof. I, Frg. Tgs., Ps.-J.). Tg. Neof. identifies the Valley of Shaveh (Gen 14,17) as the Valley of the Gardens (pardesaya). The value of Tg. Neof.’s evidence here is doubtful. Most Targums retain Melchizedek as a personal name (not so Tg. Ps.-J.). Salem of v. 18 is identified as Jerusalem. Melchizedek is identified as Shem, son of Noah, mainly because of the life-span assigned to Shem in Gen 11. The question of Melchizedek’s priesthood in early rabbinic tradition and in the Targums (Tg. Gen 14; Tg Ps. 110) is considered, as is also the use of Jewish targumic-type tradition on Melchizedek in such early Fathers as Jerome, Ephrem, and Theodore of Mopsuestia.

(Nhk) and to the sons of Aaron, the priests (Mynhk), Tg. Onq. renders by the cognate Aramaic terms Nhk, )ynhk. The failure to make explicit reference of Melchizedek’s priesthood in Gen 14,18 may be due to the rabbinic discussions on the matter. While #$m#$ (sammes) is a regular term for the exercise of the priesthood, its occurrence here is not a sufficient explanation for the omission of a translation of Nhk of the HT.

        On the other hand, it must be noted that in Gen 14,18 Tg. Onq. uses the verbal form (#$ym#$m; mesammes, participle from verb #$m#$) which he regularly uses elsewhere to translate the verb Nhk (kahen) of the HT, "to act as priest" (in the Levitical priesthood; in the priesthood of Aaron). Thus in Exod 28,1.3.4.41; 29,1.44; 30,30; 31,10; 35,19.41; 40,13.15; Lev 7,35; 16,32; Num 3,3.4; Deut 10,6. It appears that in Gen 14,18 Tg. Onq. has read kohen, "priest", of the HT as the verb kahen, "to act as priest", "to exercise the priesthood", and translates this verb as he does elsewhere. While it is possible that Tg. Onq.’s translation is due only to exegetical considerations, it is hard to avoid the impression that it is tendentious, and that he has rendered as he did on ideological grounds⁵⁷.

        In Gen 14,18, in the rendering of the HT Nhk we may note, Tg. Ps.-J. follows Tg. Onq. (#$m#$m).

IV. The blessing and the Tithes (Tgs Gen 14,19-20)

Hebrew Text

rm)yw whkrbyw (19)
Mrb) Kwrb
Cr)w Mym#$ hnq Nwyl( l)l
Nwyl( l) Kwrbw (20
Kdyb Kyrc Ngm-r#$)
lkm r#$(m wl-Ntyw

Targum Onqelos⁵⁸

rm)w hykrbw (19)
Mrb) Kyrb
)(r)w )ym#$ hynynqd h)ly( l)l
h)ly( l) Kyrbw (20)
Kdyb K)ns rsm yd
)lwkm )rs( Nm dx hyl bhyw