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Scholars are still divided over the identity of the figure Melchizedek in 11Q13. Is he an angel, or is 'Melchizedek' simply another title for Yhwh? This article argues that these two opposing views can be reconciled by seeing the figure Melchizedek as an expression of what the early rabbis called belief in 'two Powers in heaven'. The way he is portrayed in 11QMelch is comparable to Philo's concept of the divine "Multiple line equation(s) cannot be represented in ASCII text." and the belief of the 'Magharians'. While there are clear indications in 11Q13 that Melchizedek is an intermediary, there are equally compelling arguments that he is Yhwh. The author of 11Q13 uses a collage of biblical texts to present him as a divine intermediary. The fact that a number of biblical messianic titles are conflated in the person of Melchizedek encourages seeing other Qumran descriptions of exalted figures as referring to him as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reassesses the evidence for when Solomon's Temple was destroyed. It involves a close look at the biblical account of Babylonian actions at the time of Jerusalem's fall together with relevant comparisons between the Greek and Hebrew Bibles. It also focuses on events surrounding the life of Gedaliah, including his assassination and the fast that has commemorated his name. Arguments are presented for believing that the destruction may have occurred some time after the traditional date. While these arguments do not conclusively refute the traditional date, they do call into question whether the current confidence in this date is justified. They also provide a framework for explaining the available data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]