College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Hebrews 7:4-10
As seen in Melchizedek's greatness in his relationship to Abraham. Hebrews 7:4-10.
Text
Hebrews 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the chief spoils. Hebrews 7:5 And they indeed of the sons of Levi that receive the priest's office have commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though these have come out of the loins of Abraham: Hebrews 7:6 but he whose genealogy is not counted from them hath taken tithes of Abraham, and hath blessed him that hath the promises. Hebrews 7:7 But without any dispute the less is blessed of the better. Hebrews 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there one, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. Hebrews 7:9 And, so to say, through Abraham even Levi, who receiveth tithes, hath paid tithes; Hebrews 7:10 for he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him.
Paraphrase
Hebrews 7:4 Now, consider how great this priest was, to whom, without being either his kinsman or subject, or being commanded by God to do so, even Abraham the father of our nation gave a tenth part of the spoils of the conquered kings:
Hebrews 7:5 For they verily of the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood by descent from Aaron, have a commandment to tithe the people of Israel only according to the law, that is by tithing the tithes taken from the people by their brethren the Levites, although they have come forth of the loins of Abraham, and in that respect are equal in dignity to the priests;
Hebrews 7:6 But Melchizedek, who did not derive his pedigree from the progenitors of the sons of Aaron, (See Hebrews 7:3. note 2.), and who, being a king as well as a priest, did not take tithes for his maintenance tithed Abraham a stranger, and blessed him, although he was the possessor of the promises.
Hebrews 7:7 Now, without all doubt, the inferior is blessed of his superior. Wherefore, by this transaction also, Melchizedek was shown to be greater than Abraham, both as a king and as a priest.
Hebrews 7:8 Besides, under the law verily men who at a certain age, ceased to be priests, as if they were dead, take tithes: but under the patriarchal dispensation one took tithes, of whom it is testified by God, that he lived a priest all his life.
Hebrews 7:9 And as one may say, even Levi, whose children receive tithes from Abraham's children, was tithed by Melchizedek in the person of Abraham:
Hebrews 7:10 For Levi was yet in the loins of his father Abraham, when Melchizedek met Abraham: So that the consequences of Levi's father's paying tithes and receiving the blessing, extended to Levi and to his children.
Comment
Now consider how great this man was
The apostle's aim here is to exalt the character of Melchizedek, with the view of still further exalting the character and priesthood of Christ.
GreatFew men are called great in the Bible.
a.
Genesis 12:2: Abraham.
b.
2 Samuel 7:9: David, I will make thee a great name.
c.
2 Kings 4:8: Shunema great woman.
d.
Luke 1:15: John the Baptist.
upon whom Abraham, the patriarch
Patriarch defined:
a.
A father or ruler of a family.
b.
The progenitor of a race.
Abraham was a great person, Now if he paid tithes to Melchizedek then we can see how great Melchizedek was.
gave a tenth out of the chief spoils
The best tithe is suggested. Milligan says: The top of the heap. Genesis 14:20 is the account.
The first cities conquered by the Israelites were to be devoted to God. The first fruits, the chief spoils were to be given to God.
and they indeed of the sons of Levi
There is not much difference in rank here, for the priests and people were brethren. There is not as much as in the case of Abraham and Melchizedek. Abraham was a great-grandfather of Levi, Aaron's ancestor.
that receive the priest's office
This refers only to the house of Aaron.
a.
b.
See also Numbers 18:22-32.
a.
The people were required to pay tithes to the Levites.
b.
The Levites were in turn to pay a tithe to the priests.
c.
The Levites were the servants of the priests. Numbers 18:2-6.
have commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law
This commandment is found in Numbers 18. Support of God's servants is a commandment of God and should be preached.
that is of their brethren
Brethren received tithes of brethren, though actually we give unto God. The Levites, in receiving and using the tenth, were blessed as the servants of God.
though these have come out of the loins of Abraham
The argument is: Abraham, who excelled all others, was yet inferior to Melchizedek; then Melchizedek had the highest place of honor and is superior to all the sons of Levi. These Levites, although they received offerings, were of the same parents.
but he whose genealogy is not counted from them hath taken tithes of Abraham
Melchizedek has no lineage, yet he received tithes from Abraham. This is stated to show the great and high place of Melchizedek.
and hath blessed him that hath the promises
Abraham had the promise, This indicates the greatness of Melchizedek; the lesser individual had the promise but was blessed.
There are three kinds of blessings in the scriptures:
a.
Matthew 5:44: Prayer for a blessing.
b.
Genesis 12: Prophetic blessings as in the case of the patriarchs.
c.
Sacerdotal blessing: See Numbers 6:23-27. Sacerdotal means, pertaining to a priest.
but without any dispute the less is blessed of the better
Melchizedek blessed Abraham; hence, the less is Abraham, What does it mean: bless?
a.
It is a symbol of greater authority.
1.
Isaac blessed his son, Jacob.
2.
Jacob blessed his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Genesis 48:20.
3.
Priest blessed the people, Numbers 6:23.
4.
Luke 24:50: Christ blessed the apostles.
b.
It indicates great power.
And here men that die receive tithes.
The tithes were paid to men who died; thus it was an everchanging priesthood, The word here refers to the Levitical system, and there to the administration of Melchizedek.
but there one
Where is there? It refers back to Melchizedek. If it referred to paying tithes to Christ now, it would say here and not there.
of whom is it witnessed that he liveth
The silence of his death is an evidence of his life. He is showing that Melchizedek was perpetual; that of the Levites was temporary. He lives in type. Christ is the antitype. Witness is two kinds:
a.
That of the eye.
b.
That of testimony.
Witness: where is the witness?
a.
Hebrews 7:3 is the witness of eternality.
b.
No ending is recorded for Melchizedek.
and, so to say, through Abraham even Levi, who receiveth tithes, hath paid tithes
Through Abraham, Levi paid tithes to Melchizedek. Abraham, by paying tithes, made himself and his posterity inferior to the priesthood of Melchizedek. (Calvin, p. 163.) This is to establish greatness in the type of Christ's priesthood. Who receiveth tithes refers to the Levites.
a.
Should the preacher tithe when he has been paid in tithes?
b.
Certainly, for he is as much a steward of God as others. The superiority of the ancient order cannot be escaped by verses nine and ten.
For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him
Milligan says Levi then actually paid tithes to Melchizedek through the principle of federal representation.
a.
In a corporation, individuals pay, make obligations which bind on others.
b.
If we took our tithes and handed it to our children it would be quite a gift. This is not done, so my children are tithing. Would this also include Jesus, since Judah also was in the loins?
a.
Christ is not of the same order. Matthew 22:45: If he is the son of David, how does David call Him his Lord?
b.
Christ did not serve as priest on earth. He could not, for He was not of the Levitical tribe. Hebrews 8:4.
Study Questions
1136.
What is the significance of, without father without mother?
1137.
Explain without genealogy. Does this rule out Shem as being Melchizedek?
1138.
Explain neither beginning of days nor end of life.
1139.
How was he like unto the Son of God?
1140.
How could this be true when Christ has lineage?
1141.
Explain abideth a priest continually.
1142.
Does forever always mean from the dawn of history until the extremity of the future?
1143.
Why does he want us to consider how great Melchizedek was?
1144.
Define patriarch.
1145.
Why does he say chief spoils?
1146.
Did God ever require the chief spoils again?
1147.
What can be said in this regard concerning Jericho and Ai?
1148.
How were the Levites supported?
1149.
How were the priests supported?
1150.
What function was performed by Levites who were not priests? Cf. Numbers 18:2-6.
1151.
What is the significance of tithes from brethren?
1152.
What law were the Levites under?
1153.
What is the significance of saying that they, the Levites, came out of the loins of Abraham?
1154.
Does this make Melchizedek superior to the Levite?
1155.
Who is the them referred to in verse six?
1156.
Who has the promise?
1157.
Who has the blessing?
1158.
What does he mean by, without dispute?
1159.
Give illustrations of greater men blessing the lesser.
1160.
Did Jesus ever bless His disciples? Cf. Luke 24:50.
1161.
What is meant by, here men that die receive tithes?
1162.
Was he speaking of the law, or the present church?
1163.
What does the word there refer to in Hebrews 7:8?
1164.
If it referred to Christ, would it say there or here?
1165.
Who is living in Hebrews 7:8?
1166.
How could it be said that Melchizedek liveth?
1167.
Who is witnessed as livingChrist or Melchizedek?
1168.
What witness is there that Melchizedek lives?
1169.
Where is the witness that Melchizedek lives? Cf. Hebrews 7:3.
1170.
Isaiah 7:3 the witness?
1171.
From whom did the Levites receive tithes?
1172.
Explain Hebrews 7:9.
1173.
Does he mean that Abraham made his posterity inferior to Melchizedek by payment of tithes to Melchizedek?
1174.
May we infer that the preacher who receives tithes therefore ought to tithe?
1175.
To whom did the Levites pay tithes as argued by Hebrews 7:9?
1176.
How many years before the Levitical priesthood did the Levites tithe through Abraham?