Hebrews 7:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives.

NIV: In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.

NASB: In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on.

CSB: In the one case, men who will die receive a tenth, but in the other case, Scripture testifies that he lives.

NLT: The priests who collect tithes are men who die, so Melchizedek is greater than they are, because we are told that he lives on.

KJV: And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

NKJV: Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.

The reference here is to Melchizedek, to whom the patriarch Abraham paid a tithe (Genesis 14:14–24). Melchizedek is described as both king and priest (Genesis 14:18), and this payment of a tithe symbolizes his superiority to Abraham. Verse 5 made mention of the tithes received by the Levitical priests—but also pointed out that they received these tithes from their fellow Israelites, and as a part of the Law of Moses. Melchizedek predates all of these, and so his tithe is more important. This point is part of the author's overall argument that the priesthood represented by Melchizedek is greater than that of Aaron, symbolizing the superiority of Jesus Christ as our superior means of salvation.

The reference to Melchizedek being "one of whom it is testified that he lives" has to be taken in the context of verse 3. There, it is pointed out that Melchizedek is given no genealogy; symbolically, then, he has neither a beginning or end, and no mother or father. This is not meant to be taken literally, and the Greek phrasing of this passage suggests that it's a figure of speech. The real point is in the analogy: that Jesus Christ fulfills the prediction made through the incident with Melchizedek, as our ultimate High Priest (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:17).

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.