Hebrews 7:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils!

NIV: Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!

NASB: Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.

CSB: Now consider how great this man was: even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the plunder to him.

NLT: Consider then how great this Melchizedek was. Even Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, recognized this by giving him a tenth of what he had taken in battle.

KJV: Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

NKJV: Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.

This verse reiterates the main point of verses 1 through 10. Abraham recognized that Melchizedek was greater, as shown by Abraham's giving Melchizedek a tithe. As great as Abraham was, and as uniquely positioned as he was by God, he knew that this king-priest (Genesis 14:18) was someone he was obligated to submissively honor. This begins a somewhat complex point made over the next few verses.

Since the Levitical priesthood was made up of limited, mortal men, it is also limited and imperfect in its ability. A priesthood of limited people is inferior to an unending priesthood of perfection: this is what Abraham's encounter with Melchizedek symbolizes here. Later, the author will point out how, in a manner of speaking, Levi and all of the Old Testament priests paid a tithe to Melchizedek, as they were "still in the loins" of Abraham, at the time (Hebrews 7:10). Melchizedek not only predated the Aaronic priesthood, he was not part of that lineage. And yet, Abraham honored him.

Hebrews 7:1–10 introduces the author's central argument about the superiority of Jesus Christ. Melchizedek, a figure from the story of Abraham in the Old Testament, is the main evidence used. In this segment, the author shows how Melchizedek was superior to Abraham, since Abraham paid him tithes. This has implications for the priesthood of Melchizedek, as well as the priesthood of the Old Testament. Next, the author will show how the priesthood of Jesus, symbolized by Melchizedek, is superior to that of the Levitical law.

When Abraham met with Melchizedek in the Old Testament, he honored him with tithes. This shows that Abraham recognized Melchizedek's superiority. Since the Old Covenant was flawed—based on limited priests and limited sacrifices—it is inferior to the priesthood of Melchizedek, which is unending. Jesus Christ fulfills God's promise to establish a priest ''forever'' in a way which perfectly meets our needs.

Chapters 5 and 6 detoured from the main theme in order to present a warning about faithlessness and apostasy. Chapter 7 returns to the topic of Melchizedek, who represents a mysterious but important moment in Old Testament history. Here, the author will show how Melchizedek was superior to Abraham, and that Melchizedek's priesthood is superior to the priesthood of Aaron. This leads into the next chapters, which show how Jesus Christ perfectly fulfills our salvation in ways which the Old Covenant cannot.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.

Accessed 12/21/2024 12:49:30 PM