Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
Parallel translations
- WEB Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the best plunder.
- BSB Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.
- NKJV Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.
- NASB Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.
- 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Consider how great Melchizedek was, that even Abraham the patriarch gave him a tithe of the best spoils. His greatness is measured by Abraham's homage.
Overview
The writer presses the significance of Abraham, the revered father of Israel, paying tithes to Melchizedek. Such an act acknowledges Melchizedek's superior status. This greatness, surpassing even Abraham, points forward to the surpassing greatness of Christ's priesthood over the Levitical line descended from Abraham.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Gen 14:20And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
- Acts 2:29Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
- Gal 3:28–29There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
- Acts 7:8–9And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.
- Gen 12:2And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
- Gen 17:5–6Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
- Rom 4:11–13And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
- Rom 4:17–18(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
- Jas 2:23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Hebrews is sustained worship of Christ: better than angels, Moses, and the priests; the great High Priest after Melchizedek who by one sacrifice perfects forever those he saves.
How Hebrews 7:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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