Jesus: The Incarnation of the Word

by David C Mitchell

The Great Unspoken in Jewish-Christian dialogue is Jesus’s conception. It’s a topic avoided even by many who accept his resurrection. This book tackles the issue. Did Jesus exist before Bethlehem? Who was mysterious Melchizedek? What does Psalm 110 really say? How far do the variant genealogies of Matthew and Luke really make sense? Was Mary a peasant or a princess? And what are the options for Jesus’s paternity? Just how Jewish was he really?
Just as the author’s Messiah ben Joseph examined the ancient origins of the sacrificial Messiah promised to Joseph, so The Incarnation of the Word looks at the origins of the Zadokite Messiah. David Mitchell’s The Incarnation of the Word is a fascinating read. While its title seemingly rehearses well-trodden paths that need no further attention, that presumption could not be more misguided. The author is deeply conversant in the Hebrew Bible, Septuagint, Second Temple Jewish literature, Rabbinic writings, and early Christian and Patristic texts. All are brought into service to offer intriguing solutions to various difficulties arising from the Davidic (and priestly!) genealogies of Joseph and Mary and the relationship of Jesus to Melchizedek and the Angel of the Lord. Readers will find this a rewarding study.
Michael S. Heiser, PhD (Hebrew Studies, Wisconsin)
Bestselling author of The Unseen Realm
Executive Director and Professor, Awakening School of Theology

The Incarnation of the Word brings readers on an eye-opening journey through Old and New Testament texts, genealogies, and extra-biblical sources ancient and modern to probe the core question distinguishing Christianity from other is Jesus God in the flesh? With meticulous attention to detail, David C. Mitchell applies his exegetical acumen and extensive expertise in second temple and Rabbinic literature to uncover the remarkable breadth of the Bible’s testimony about the Messiah and its long history of discussion. Erudite, witty, and eminently readable, this volume will enlighten, challenge, and inspire as it reveals how deep and wide are the Bible’s messianic promises fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth.
Dr Adam D. Hensley, Australian Lutheran College, University of Divinity
Author of Covenant Relationships and the Editing of the Hebrew Psalter

316 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2021

Reviews

[Ronny Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Mitchell has obviously put an awful lot of thought and work into it. He argues that Melchizedek was Jesus pre-Bethlehem. He's not the first person to say this, but I've never seen it argued in such detail or so well. He gives a very detailed explanation of the divergent genealogies of Matthew and Luke, showing how they are both necessary to bypass the prophets' curses on Josiah's sons. There is also a lot of fascinating stuff on Mary's genealogy and background. And the two big chapters on the interpretation of Psalm 110 are amazing.

The back cover says that this work on Jesus as the Priestly Messiah is a "sibling" work for the author's Messiah ben Joseph. I suppose it is. But there's a lot more to it as well. And, just in places, he has a wonderful dry sense of humour.
Top marks.

[Matt Candler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by David C. Mitchell delivers potent, powerful, and rare insight on the incarnation of God in the person of Jesus, whose goings forth are from everlasting.

This book is worth its weight in gold for the insights into Psalm 110 alone, but the same could also be said of the presentation of Melchizedek, the underlying paternity dialogue with the Pharisees in John 8, the genetic lines of the descent of Jesus, and so, so much more.

However, I do want to caution readers to engage this book readied with your "whack-o-mole" mallet to smack pre-mature reactionary assumptions down until you progress through the book in its entirety, lest you “hear what he is not saying.”

I cannot encourage you enough to read the book from cover to cover, not only to follow his line of thinking, but also to experience the artistry of his arguments and beauty of the story. I took Mitchell’s encouragement in the Preface to read “in first gear” slowly and carefully because of my unfamiliarity with biblical languages. I suppose it worked, as tears of wonder streamed from my eyes while reading the chapters on genealogy, yes, tears from genealogy.

Like his other brilliant books and writings, Mitchell has offered a sign and wonder among the nations with irresistible wisdom and the seal of the Spirit like Stephen of old concerning the glory of God who appeared to Abraham.

It is no wonder why Mitchell is a musicologist and director of music, for what is left, but to worship at His footstool at the wonder of the fruit of David’s womb (Ps.132).

[Christopher Humphrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Jesus: The Incarnation of the Word” is a fascinating book, with many interesting arguments regarding the pre-incarnate Christ, the Genealogy of Jesus, and a history of Jewish, Rabbinical thought vis a vis, Jesus. Here is the problem that I had with the book—it was so dependent on a more-than-cursory knowledge of Hebrew and Aramaic, along with a deep Old Testament historical understanding, that it was difficult for this reader to cogently interact with the arguments. That is a fancy way of saying that much of what was written was a bit over my head.

All of that being said, this is a well-researched book. The author has done deep research, and he makes some very interesting arguments. I just do not have the academic tools to make a judgement on much of what he said. I did, however, find his logic at times to be incommensurate with the facts at hand. For example, his arguments equating the pre-incarnate Christ with Melchizedek, while interesting, is I think a bridge to far based on the extant evidence.

If you wish to dive into the deep end, all I can say is good luck and happy reading!

[David M.]

This was great on many levels. Certainly dry and dense in many stretches, like the coffee cake I have in the oven at the moment, but extraordinarily well researched and cogent. And in the moments when one of the big points lands, it's like getting that taste of the sugar & cinnamon filling. So, so good.

This was particularly edifying to read in this advent season. Good for the chest and the head.

I'd recommend, and want to read his other book on Jesus (Ben Joseph, I think), which I've heard some great things about.

(Also, Mitchell shares my perspective on Melchizedek, and made one of the more rock solid arguments I've ever heard, which, of course, helped win me over.)

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a provocative, probing and polemical exploration of the pre-existence of Jesus in the Word (Logos). It is broadly accessible to a reader without knowledge of Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek. Mitchell summons a host of ancient testimony to support his central claim, based upon a close study of Psalm 110, that Jesus appeared to Abram and David as Melchizedek. He is particularly adept at examining genealogies and his detective work is at its most racy when dismissing academics who called Jesus and his family peasants.

[Ann Milton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye-opener- so often we read the Hebrew and Christian Bibles in isolation, yet even sacred texts need a context! Dr Mitchell looks at the role and person of Jesus in the context of the Scriptures of course; but also Jewish history, social development and above all many other texts of Judaism and rabbinical literature. Although clearly writing from an academic background he makes his message accessible to all. His conclusions are challenging, new (to me) and inspiring.

[Emily Vancleave · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot of fascinating stuff from this book, but I can’t say I’m convinced of a lot of the arguments he made, specifically about Melchizedek. I really did enjoy learning more about what Jews during the second temple period were thinking about the coming Messiah and who he would be. I was also left with a lot of questions, like if Jesus was descended from the Levites through his mother, why does Hebrews specifically say He was not descended from the Levites?

[K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of interesting information in the book, particularly about genealogies. Nothing quite as revolutionary as I was expecting, and the flow of the overall argument was not easy to follow.

[Lindsay John Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new David Mitchell book is an event. His work, including the eschatology of the Psalms and the concept of Messiah Ben Joseph, has been paradigm-shifting for me.

Jesus: The Incarnation of the Word did not disappoint. It is full of the profound and provocative insights that I have come to expect from Mitchell.

This is a companion book to Mitchell’s Messiah Ben Joseph, but can be read independently. In Jesus: The Incarnation of the Word, Mitchell considers ancient beliefs around a priestly, Levitical, and heavenly and incarnate messiah. In doing so, he touches on a wide range of topics like Melchizedek, the Angel of the LORD, the priestly and royal genealogies of Mary and Joseph, Jesus’ self-conception, and the name of Jesus himself.

My favorite authors are creative thinkers. Why simply read what you already know or already think? This is not to say that Mitchell’s views are unsubstantiated or overly niche. Far from it. In fact, he offers substantial support for his claims, revealing a deep and broad familiarity with primary sources (the Old and New Testaments, their ancient translations, and early Jewish and Christian writings). Mitchell often reveals where modern scholars—and those who unwittingly repeat their claims—have not taken these primary sources seriously enough.

My favorite sections were his thorough and fresh exegesis on Psalm 110—which proves the messianic heavenly view is the oldest and best—and his careful tracing of Joseph and Mary’s lineages. These sections on the genealogies are fascinating and reveal just how many incorrect assumptions people have inherited.

If you read Jesus: The Incarnation of the Word, you will encounter a treasure trove that inspires awe in Jesus and a fresh appreciation for the Bible.