1. Lecture 3: Priesthood in Genesis
Dr. Ann T. Orlando

2. Outline Biblical Background: Genesis
Western Patristic Biblical Interpretation
St. Ambrose of Milan
On Cain and Abel
Second Century Jewish-Christian Controversy over Melchizedek
St. Augustine on Melchizedek, CoG XVI

3. Background on Genesis First book of Pentateuch (Torah)
Traditionally written by Moses
Tells story from creation to last of the Patriarchs, Joseph
Outline
Creation of Cosmos
Creation of Man in paradise, and his Fall
Cain and Abel, first two sons of Eve
Noah and the flood
Tower of Babel
Abraham
Call of Abram
Melchizedek
Ishmael
Isaac, son of Abraham
Jacob and Esau, sons of Isaac
Joseph and his brothers in Egypt, sons of Jacob

4. General Patristic Understanding of Genesis
As first book of Scripture was given special importance
Both prefigures and summarizes all of Scripture
For (almost) all Christians, Genesis prefigures in a special way the coming of Christ and the new creation in Christ
Divergence on literal or allegorical interpretive meaning of creation story
Genesis is the Old Testament book that receives the most attention from Patristic authors
Psalms being a close second

5. St. Ambrose of Milan
From an influential family, born 339, died (Easter Sunday) 397
Excellent education, especially in Greek
Served as a judicial magistrate
Baptized and ordained bishop in 370
As bishop of Milan, most important political ecclesial official in the West
Introduced hymns into Western liturgical use
The Te Deum and Easter Exultet is attributed to him (although probably erroneously)

6. Basil the Great and Ambrose
Ambrose and Basil corresponded with each other over Roman political and ecclesial issues
Ambrose had copies of some of Basil’s sermons and other works
Hexaemeron
Sermon on Naboth
On the Holy Spirit
Ambrose very influenced by Basil

7. Ambrose Exegetical Works
Key Greek Influences
Philo of Alexandria (Philo Christianus)
Origen
Basil the Great
Most important exegetical work was on Genesis
De paradiso
De Cain et Abel
De Noe
De Abraham

8. Philo and Ambrose On Cain and Abel
Philo begins with contrasting Cain and Abel as epistemological types
Ambrose does the same, but associated Jews who do not believe with Cain and Christians who do with Abel
Discussion of elder vs younger son
Sin older than virtue
Cain devoted to pleasure

9. Cain and Abel: The age old questions
What was wrong with Cain’s sacrifice?
What is significance of Cain as founder of cities (civilization)
What is significance of Abel as younger son
What is significance of Abel as shepherd
How is Abel’s righteous sacrifice linked to his murder (self-sacrifice?)
Abel as proto-priest and martyr
Perhaps most importantly why was Abel’s offering accepted? Was he sinless??
NB in CoG, Augustine says that the Church begins with Abel
Ambrose, On Cain and Abel, II.6-9

10. Melchizedek Mentioned in Genesis 14 and Psalm 110 (LXX 109)
Key points about Melchizedek
He is described as king and priest of God Most High
He is not circumcised
He brings bread and wine
He blesses Abram
Abram pays a tithe to him
After the blessing, God reveals Himself to Abram
In Psalm he is described as being of the eternal order of priests
Notably absent is any discussion of his ancestors or heirs

11. Controversy
Especially in early Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism, a dispute over the superiority of Levitical priesthood or priesthood of Melchizedek
Justin Marty in his Dialog with Trypho exemplifies this (from the Christian perspective)
As in Letter to Hebrews, Justin Martyr argues that the priesthood of Melchizedek in universal and superior to the Levitical priesthood
See Dialog with Trypho, xxxiii

12. John Chrysostom on Melchizedek
Born in Antioch in 349
Studied in the literary school of Diodore
Became Patriarch of Constantinople in 397
Died in exile from Constantinople as a result of court intrigues against him (407)
Like the later Theodoret (whom he also influenced), John Chrysostom was influenced by Diodore and Theodore of Mopsuestia
John wrote the most extensive commentaries on both Old and New Testament books that have survived from antiquity
From his Homilies on Genesis
Emphasize Melchizedek as a type for Christ
Referring to Hebrews, he is said to have no specific beginning or end

13. Augustine on the Sacrifice of Cain and Melchizedek in CoG
In CoG XV and XVI, Augustine traces the history of the people Israel from Genesis to David.
See end of X
This history is framed as the story of the two cities: the City of God and the City of Man
Cain as the founder of the city of Man
Abel as a type of Christ, first member of the City of God
CoG XV.1-7
Melchizedek is described in XVI.22 as the type of offering which Christians will offer

14. On Diverse Questions
Based on various philosophical and theological questions discussed by Augustine and his community in Thegaste ( )
After becoming bishop of Hippo, Augustine collected these various dialogs
Often considered in 2 parts
Q 1-50 discuss philosophical issues
Q focus on biblical exegisis

15. Assignments Re-read Genesis, 4 and 14
Ambrose, On Cain and Abel I.1-7 and Philo of Alexandria, The Sacrifices of Cain and Abel, I(i) – VII (38)
Ambrose, On Cain and Abel, II.
Justin Martyr, Dialog With Trypho, xxxiii
John Chrysostom, Homilies on Genesis,
Augustine, CoG XV.1-7 and CoG XVI.22
Extra: Augustine, Response to 83 Miscellaneous Questions LXI.1-2
Prepare Paper #3