THIS MELCHIZEDEK (ουτος ο Μελχισεδεκ). The one already mentioned several times with whose priesthood that of Christ is compared and which is older and of a higher type than that of Aaron. See Genesis 14:18-20; Genesis 14:110 for the only account of Melchizedek in the Old Testament. It is a daring... [ Continue Reading ]
A TENTH (δεκατην). It was common to offer a tenth of the spoils to the gods. So Abraham recognized Melchizedek as a priest of God.DIVIDED (εμερισεν). First aorist active of μεριζω, from μερος (portion), to separate into parts. From this point till near the end of verse Hebrews 7:3 (the Son of G... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT FATHER, WITHOUT MOTHER, WITHOUT GENEALOGY (απατωρ, αμητωρ, αγενεαλογητος). Alliteration like Romans 1:30, the first two old words, the third coined by the author (found nowhere else) and meaning simply "devoid of any genealogy." The argument is that from silence, made much of by Philo, bu... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW GREAT (πηλικος). Geometrical magnitude in contrast to arithmetical (ποσος), here only in N.T., "how distinguished." He received tithes from Abraham (verses Hebrews 7:4-6) and he blessed Abraham (Hebrews 7:6) and even Levi is included (verses Hebrews 7:8-10).OUT OF THE CHIEF SPOILS (εκ των α... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PRIEST'S OFFICE (την ιερατειαν). LXX and _Koine_ word from ιερευς, in N.T. only here and Luke 1:9.TO TAKE TITHES (αποδεκατοιν). Present active infinitive (in -οιν, not -ουν, as the best MSS. give it) of αποδεκατοω a LXX word (απο, δεκατοω), to take a tenth from (απο).BRETHREN (αδελφους).... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WHOSE GENEALOGY IS NOT COUNTED (ο μη γενεαλογουμενος). Articular participle with negative μη (usual with participles) of the old verb γενεαλογεω trace ancestry (cf. verse Hebrews 7:3)HATH TAKEN TITHES (δεδεκατωκεν). Perfect active indicative of δεκατοω, standing on record in Genesis.HATH BLE... [ Continue Reading ]
DISPUTE (αντιλογιας). Ablative case with χωρις. For the word see Hebrews 6:16. The writer makes a parenthetical generalization and uses the article and neuter adjective (το ελασσον, the less, υπο του κρειττονος, by the better), a regular Greek idiom.... [ Continue Reading ]
HERE (ωδε). In the Levitical system.THERE (εκε). In the case of Melchizedek.OF WHOM IT IS WITNESSED (μαρτυρουμενος). "Being witnessed," present passive participle of μαρτυρεω (personal construction, not impersonal).THAT HE LIVES (οτ ζη). Present active indicative of ζαω). The Genesis record... [ Continue Reading ]
SO TO SAY (ως επος ειπειν). An old idiom, here only in the N.T., common in Philo, used to limit a startling statement, an infinitive for conceived result with ως.HATH PAID TITHES (δεδεκατωτα). Perfect passive indicative of δεκατοω, "has been tithed." This could only be true of Levi "so to speak... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE LOINS OF HIS FATHER (εν τη οσφυ του πατρος). Levi was not yet born. The reference is to Abraham, the forefather (πατρος) of Levi. This is a rabbinical imaginative refinement appealing to Jews.... [ Continue Reading ]
PERFECTION (τελειωσις). Abstract substantive of τελειοω. More the act than the quality or state (τελειοτης, Hebrews 6:1). The condition is of the second class, "if there were perfection, etc." The Levitical priesthood failed to give men "a perfectly adequate relation to God" (Moffatt).PRIESTHOOD... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PRIESTHOOD BEING CHANGED (μετατιθεμενης της ιεροσυνης). Genitive absolute with present passive participle of μετατιθημ, old word to transfer (Galatians 1:6).A CHANGE (μεταθεσις). Old substantive from μετατιθημ. In N.T. only in Heb. (Hebrews 7:12; Hebrews 11:5; Hebrews 12:27). God's choice o... [ Continue Reading ]
BELONGETH TO ANOTHER TRIBE (φυλης ετερας μετεσχηκεν). See Hebrews 2:14 for μετεχω, perfect active indicative here. A different (ετερας) tribe.HATH GIVEN ATTENDANCE AT (προσεσχηκεν). Perfect active indicative (watch perfects in Hebrews, not "for" aorists) of προσεχω, old verb, here with either ν... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS EVIDENT (προδηλον). Old compound adjective (προ, δηλος), openly manifest to all, in N.T. only here and 1 Timothy 5:24.HATH SPRUNG (ανατεταλκεν). Perfect active indicative of ανατελλω, old compound to rise up like the sun (Matthew 5:45).... [ Continue Reading ]
YET MORE ABUNDANTLY EVIDENT (περισσοτερον ετ καταδηλον). Only N.T. instance of the old compound adjective καταδηλος thoroughly clear with ετ (still) added and the comparative περισσοτερον (more abundantly) piling Ossa on Pelion like Philippians 1:23.LIKENESS (ομοιοτητα). See Hebrews 4:15, only... [ Continue Reading ]
CARNAL (σαρκινης). "Fleshen" as in 1 Corinthians 3:1, not σαρκικης (fleshlike, 1 Corinthians 3:3). The Levitical priests became so merely by birth.OF AN ENDLESS LIFE (ζωης ακαταλυτου). Late compound (alpha privative and verbal adjective from καταλυω, to dissolve, as in 2 Corinthians 4:1), indis... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS WITNESSED (μαρτυρειτα). Present passive indicative of μαρτυρεω. The author aptly quotes again Psalms 110:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
A DISANNULLING (αθετησις). Late word from αθετεω (alpha privative and τιθημ), to set aside (Mark 6:26), in N.T. only here and Hebrews 9:26. Common in the papyri in a legal sense of making void. Involved in μεταθεσις (change in verse Hebrews 7:12).FOREGOING (προαγουσης). Present active participl... [ Continue Reading ]
MADE NOTHING PERFECT (ουδεν ετελειωσεν). Another parenthesis. First aorist active indicative of τελειοω. See verse Hebrews 7:11. And yet law is necessary.A BRINGING IN THEREUPON (επεισαγωγη). An old double compound (επ, additional, εισαγωγη, bringing in from εισαγω). Here only in N.T. Used by J... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT THE TAKING OF AN OATH (χωρις ορκωμοσιας). As in Psalms 110:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE BEEN MADE (εισιν γεγονοτες). Periphrastic perfect active indicative of γινομα (perfect active participle of γινομα) and then εισιν. The parenthesis runs from ο μεν γαρ (for they) to εις τον αιωνα (for ever, end of verse Hebrews 7:21).BUT HE WITH AN OATH (ο δε μετα ορκωμοσιας). Positive sta... [ Continue Reading ]
BY SO MUCH ALSO (κατα τοσουτο κα). Correlative demonstrative corresponding to καθ' οσον (the relative clause) in verse Hebrews 7:20.THE SURETY (εγγυος). Vulgate _sponsor_. Old word, here only in the N.T., adjective (one pledged, betrothed), from εγγυη, a pledge, here used as substantive like εγ... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY IN NUMBER (πλειονες). Comparative predicate adjective, "more than one," in succession, not simultaneously.BECAUSE THEY ARE HINDERED (δια το κωλυεσθα). Articular infinitive (present passive) with δια and the accusative case, "because of the being hindered."BY DEATH (θανατω). Instrumental... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE HE ABIDETH (δια το μενειν αυτον). Same idiom as in verse Hebrews 7:23, "because of the abiding as to him" (accusative of general reference, αυτον).UNCHANGEABLE (απαραβατον). Predicate adjective in the accusative (feminine of compound adjective like masculine), late double compound verba... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE (οθεν). Since he alone holds this priesthood.TO THE UTTERMOST (εις το παντελες). Old idiom, in N.T. only here and Luke 13:10. Vulgate renders it _in perpetuum_ (temporal idea) or like παντοτε. This is possible, but the common meaning is completely, utterly.DRAW NEAR (προσερχομενους)... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAME US (ημιν επρεπεν). Imperfect active indicative of πρεπω as in Hebrews 2:10, only there it was applied to God while here to us. "Such" (τοιουτος) refers to the Melchizedek character of Jesus as high priest and in particular to his power to help and save (Hebrews 2:17) as just explained in H... [ Continue Reading ]
FIRST (προτερον). Regular adverb for comparison between two, though πρωτον often occurs also (John 1:41), with επειτα (then) following.FOR THE SINS (τον). Only the article in the Greek with repetition of υπερ or of αμαρτιων.WHEN HE OFFERED UP HIMSELF (εαυτον ανενεγκας). First aorist active pa... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THE LAW (μετα τον νομον). As shown in verses Hebrews 7:11-19, and with an oath (Psalms 110:4).SON (υιον). As in Psalms 2:7; Hebrews 1:2 linked with Psalms 110:4.PERFECTED (τετελειωμενον). Perfect passive participle of τελειοω. The process (Hebrews 2:10) was now complete. Imperfect and si... [ Continue Reading ]