Melchizedek and Abraham’s Tithe
Hebrews 7:1-10
Heb.7.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ουτος: DEM,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Μελχισεδεκ: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- βασιλευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Σαλημ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ιερευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- υψιστου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- συναντησας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- Αβρααμ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- υποστρεφοντι: VERB,pres,act,part,dat,sg,m
- απο: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- κοπης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- βασιλεων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ευλογησας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Genesis 14:18-20 (verbal): Direct narrative parallel: Melchizedek king of Salem and priest of God Most High meets and blesses Abram; Genesis also records Abram giving him a tithe.
- Psalm 110:4 (quotation): Explicit Old Testament affirmation—'You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek'—which Hebrews invokes to interpret Melchizedek's significance.
- Hebrews 7:2-3 (verbal): Immediate continuation in Hebrews that expands on v.1, describing Melchizedek's king/priest role and his timeless, priestly character.
- Hebrews 5:6 (quotation): Hebrews cites Psalm 110:4 here as applied to Christ—linking Jesus' priesthood to the order of Melchizedek, a theme introduced in 7:1.
- Hebrews 6:20 (thematic): Synthesizes the argument: Christ has entered as high priest 'after the order of Melchizedek,' using the Melchizedek typology begun in 7:1 to support Jesus' eternal priesthood.
Alternative generated candidates
- For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth of all.
- For this Melchizedek—king of Salem, priest of God Most High—met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him.
Heb.7.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- δεκατην: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- απο: PREP
- παντων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- εμερισεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- Αβρααμ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- πρωτον: ADV
- μεν: PART
- ερμηνευομενος: PART,pres,mid/pass,nom,sg,m
- βασιλευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δικαιοσυνης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- επειτα: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- βασιλευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Σαλημ: PROPN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- βασιλευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ειρηνης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Genesis 14:18-20 (quotation): Narrates Melchizedek blessing Abram and Abram giving him a tenth; Hebrews 7:2 echoes this event and the tithe to establish Melchizedek's precedence.
- Psalm 110:4 (quotation): Declares 'You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek'; Hebrews repeatedly cites this to connect Christ's eternal priesthood with Melchizedek.
- Isaiah 9:6 (thematic): Refers to the coming ruler as 'Prince of Peace'; parallels Hebrews' identification of Melchizedek as king of Salem ('peace') and king of righteousness, linking priestly and kingly titles.
- Hebrews 6:20 (allusion): States Jesus has entered as a forerunner 'a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek,' reinforcing the argument in 7:2 that Melchizedek’s status typologically points to Christ.
Alternative generated candidates
- First, by interpretation, his name means king of righteousness; then also king of Salem—king of peace.
- And to him Abraham apportioned a tenth of all. His name, moreover, by interpretation, is first 'King of Righteousness,' then also 'King of Salem'—that is, 'King of Peace.'
Heb.7.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απατωρ: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- αμητωρ: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- αγενεαλογητος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- μητε: CONJ
- αρχην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ημερων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- μητε: CONJ
- ζωης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- τελος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- αφωμοιωμενος: VERB,pres,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- υιω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μενει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ιερευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- διηνεκες: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Genesis 14:18-20 (structural): The original appearance of Melchizedek (king of Salem, priest of God Most High) in Genesis; Hebrews reads this account as lacking genealogy or pedigree, which undergirds the claim in Heb 7:3 about Melchizedek’s nameless lineage.
- Psalm 110:4 (quotation): “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” — the key Old Testament declaration quoted repeatedly in Hebrews to establish an eternal priesthood like that ascribed to Melchizedek.
- Hebrews 6:20 (thematic): States that Jesus has entered as a forerunner and is a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, linking Melchizedek’s timeless priesthood in 7:3 to Christ’s eternal priesthood.
- Hebrews 7:15-17 (verbal): The immediate Hebrews context develops the same idea—another priest arises after the likeness of Melchizedek, ‘not after the law of a fleshly commandment but after the power of an indestructible life,’ echoing the ‘no beginning of days nor end of life’ language of 7:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life; he is made like the Son of God and remains a priest continually.
- Without father, without mother, without genealogy; having neither beginning of days nor end of life; made like the Son of God, he remains a priest continually.
Heb.7.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Θεωρειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- δε: CONJ
- πηλικος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ουτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- δεκατην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- Αβρααμ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εδωκεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εκ: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ακροθινιων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πατριαρχης: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Genesis 14:18-20 (quotation): Narrates the original episode: Melchizedek blesses Abram and Abram gives him a tenth of the spoils — the exact event Hebrews invokes to show Melchizedek’s precedence and honor.
- Genesis 28:20-22 (thematic): Jacob’s vow to give a tenth reflects the patriarchal practice of tithing and links later claims about tithes back to the patriarchs rather than to Mosaic law.
- Psalm 110:4 (allusion): Proclaims a priesthood 'after the order of Melchizedek,' which Hebrews uses alongside the tithe episode to argue for Melchizedek’s superior and enduring priesthood.
- Numbers 18:21-24 (thematic): Prescribes that the tithe belongs to the Levites under the Mosaic covenant — providing the legal background Hebrews contrasts with Abraham’s earlier act of giving a tithe to Melchizedek.
Alternative generated candidates
- Consider then how great this man was, that even Abraham the patriarch gave him a tenth from the spoils.
- Consider how great this man was—to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.
Heb.7.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μεν: PART
- εκ: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- υιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- Λευι: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- ιερατειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- λαμβανοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- εντολην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εχουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- αποδεκατουν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λαον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- κατα: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- νομον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τουτ᾽εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αδελφους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- καιπερ: CONJ
- εξεληλυθοτας: VERB,perf,act,part,acc,pl,m
- εκ: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- οσφυος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- Αβρααμ·: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Genesis 14:18-20 (allusion): Abram gives a tenth to Melchizedek after the battle — the exemplar of a non‑Levitical priest receiving tithes, which Hebrews contrasts with the Levitical system.
- Numbers 18:21-24 (quotation): The Mosaic law assigns the tithe to the Levites as their inheritance and outlines their right/service — the direct legal background for the statement that Levites according to the law receive tithes from the people.
- Deuteronomy 14:22-29 (thematic): Regulations on tithes used among Israel (including support for Levites and the needy) — parallels the idea of tithes being taken from 'the people'/'brothers' under the law.
- Psalm 110:4 (allusion): ‘You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek’ — the portrait of Melchizedek’s priesthood that Hebrews uses to contrast and elevate Melchizedek’s (and Christ’s) priesthood above the Levitical order.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment to collect tithes from the people—members of their own race—though they are descended from Abraham.
- And those of the sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a command to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brothers—though these are descended from Abraham.
Heb.7.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- μη: PART
- γενεαλογουμενος: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,sg,m
- εξ: PREP
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- δεδεκατωκεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- Αβρααμ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- εχοντα: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,n
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- επαγγελιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ευλογηκεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 14:18-20 (quotation): Melchizedek appears, brings out bread and wine, blesses Abram, and Abram gives him a tithe — the direct OT episode Hebrews cites as the basis for Melchizedek’s blessing of Abraham and his superiority.
- Psalm 110:4 (allusion): ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek’ — the psalmic priesthood is applied in Hebrews to explain Melchizedek’s eternal/priestly status relative to Abraham and the Levitical order.
- Genesis 12:2-3 (thematic): God’s promises to Abram (descendants, blessing to nations) are the promises referred to in Hebrews as possessed by Abraham, making it significant that Melchizedek blessed the one who held God’s promises.
- Hebrews 6:13-18 (structural): Discussion of God’s oath and promise to Abraham (and the certainty of God’s promise) provides the theological backdrop for Hebrews’ claim that Abraham ‘had the promises,’ which undergirds the argument about Melchizedek’s precedence.
- Hebrews 7:1-4 (verbal): Immediate context: the chapter’s opening recounts Melchizedek’s blessing of Abraham, Abraham’s tithe, and Melchizedek’s lack of genealogy — the same material and reasoning continued in 7:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- But he whose genealogy is not reckoned among them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
- But the one whose genealogy is not counted among them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
Heb.7.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- χωρις: PREP,gen
- δε: CONJ
- πασης: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- αντιλογιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ελαττον: ADJ,comp,acc,sg,neut
- υπο: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κρειττονος: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- ευλογειται: VERB,pres,pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 14:18-20 (quotation): Narrative source: Melchizedek the king-priest brings out bread and wine and 'blessed' Abram — the concrete event to which Hebrews refers when saying the lesser was blessed by the greater.
- Hebrews 7:4 (structural): Immediate context within Hebrews: verse 4 states that Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth and that Melchizedek blessed Abraham, directly parallel to the claim in 7:7 about the lesser being blessed by the greater.
- Numbers 6:24-26 (thematic): Priestly blessing formula (the priests bless the people) exhibits the same pattern of a superior (priest) conferring blessing on those under him, paralleling Melchizedek's blessing of Abraham.
- Psalm 110:4 (allusion): Hebrews repeatedly invokes Psalm 110 to establish Melchizedek's priesthood and its superiority; that priestly authority undergirds the point that the greater can bless the lesser (the motif in 7:7).
Alternative generated candidates
- It is beyond dispute that the lesser is blessed by the greater.
- And it is beyond dispute that the one who blesses is greater than the one who is blessed.
Heb.7.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ωδε: ADV
- μεν: PART
- δεκατας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- αποθνησκοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- ανθρωποι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- λαμβανουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- εκει: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- μαρτυρουμενος: VERB,pres,pass,part,nom,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- ζη: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 14:18-20 (verbal): Melchizedek receives Abram's tithe—Hebrews cites this episode as the basis for a priest who receives tithes (direct narrative parallel).
- Psalm 110:4 (quotation): Hebrews repeatedly appeals to 'You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek' (Ps 110:4) to identify the one who receives tithes as a perpetual/immortal priest.
- Acts 2:32 (verbal): ‘God has raised this Jesus…of which we are all witnesses’ echoes Hebrews' language that it is testified/witnessed that the one who receives tithes lives (emphasis on vindication by resurrection/witness).
- Hebrews 7:23-25 (structural): Immediate context contrasts mortal human priests who die and receive tithes with the enduring priesthood of the one who 'lives'—these verses develop the same contrast and consequence (priestly permanence, ability to save).
Alternative generated candidates
- And in one case mortals receive tithes; in the other case one is attested to be alive.
- Here, men who die receive tithes; there, one who is attested as living receives them.
Heb.7.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ως: ADV
- επος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- ειπειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- δι᾽Αβρααμ: PREP
- και: CONJ
- Λευι: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δεκατας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- λαμβανων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- δεδεκατωται: VERB,perf,mid,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 14:18-20 (quotation): Narrates Melchizedek blessing Abraham and Abraham giving him a tenth; the historical episode Hebrews cites to show Abraham's payment of tithes to Melchizedek.
- Hebrews 7:4 (structural): Immediate context in the same chapter that summarizes Abraham's giving of the tenth to Melchizedek; Hebrews 7:9 develops the logical consequence regarding Levi.
- Psalm 110:4 (allusion): Proclaims a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek; Hebrews invokes this to connect Melchizedek’s priesthood (and Christ’s) with the tithe episode.
- Leviticus 27:30-33 (thematic): Law concerning tithes and what is devoted to the LORD/by the Levites; provides the cultic-legal background for discussions about tithing and priestly rights.
- Deuteronomy 14:22-29 (thematic): Regulations about setting aside tithes and their use among Levites, aliens and the needy; relevant for understanding Israelite tithe practice that Hebrews contrasts with the Melchizedek episode.
Alternative generated candidates
- And, in a sense, through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes.
- In a manner of speaking, through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes—
Heb.7.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ετι: ADV
- γαρ: PART
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- οσφυι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πατρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- οτε: CONJ
- συνηντησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- Μελχισεδεκ: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Genesis 14:18-20 (quotation): Narrates Melchizedek meeting Abram and Abram giving him a tenth—this is the historical event Hebrews alludes to when saying Levi was 'in the loins' of Abraham when the encounter occurred.
- Psalm 110:4 (allusion): Proclaims a priesthood 'after the order of Melchizedek'; Hebrews uses the Melchizedek episode (including v.10) to interpret this priestly order as superior to Levi's.
- Numbers 18:21 (thematic): Describes the Levites' entitlement to the tithe in Israel; Hebrews contrasts this institutional Levitical tithe with the earlier act of Abram paying tithes to Melchizedek (so Levi is counted as tithing in Abraham).
- Hebrews 7:1-9 (structural): Immediate context in Hebrews that recounts Melchizedek's meeting with Abraham and develops the argument that Levi (and the Levitical priesthood) is effectively subordinate because Levi's ancestor paid tithes to Melchizedek while Levi was 'in the loins' of Abraham.
Alternative generated candidates
- For he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
- for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.
For this Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him. And to him Abraham apportioned a tenth of all the spoils. First his name is interpreted ‘king of righteousness,’ and then also ‘king of Salem’—that is, ‘king of peace.’
Without father or mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life; made like the Son of God, he remains a priest continually.
Consider then how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. Now those of the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood are commanded to take tithes from the people according to the law—that is, from their brothers who share the descent from Abraham. But the one whose genealogy is not reckoned among them received tithes from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. And beyond all dispute the inferior is blessed by the superior.
In one case mortal men receive tithes; in the other, he receives them of whom it is testified that he lives. And so, as may be said, even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes,
for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.