Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest 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.
- KJV Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
- 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.
- 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 God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave him a tenth of all.
- Acts 2:29“Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
- Gal 3:28–29There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
- Acts 7:8–9He gave him the covenant of circumcision. So Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.
- Gen 12:2I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing.
- Gen 17:5–6Your name will no more be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.
- Rom 4:11–13He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they might be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might also be accounted to them.
- Rom 4:17–18As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations.” This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the things that are not, as though they were.
- Jas 2:23and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as 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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