In the case of the Levites, mortal men collect the tenth; but in the case of Melchizedek, it is affirmed that he lives on.
Parallel translations
- WEB Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives.
- 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.
- NASB In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on.
- 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.
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
Levitical priests who receive tithes are mortal men who die, but Melchizedek receives them as one of whom Scripture testifies that he lives. His priesthood points to a life that does not end.
Overview
The writer contrasts the dying Levitical priests with Melchizedek, whose Scripture portrayal records no death, so he is depicted as living on. This typological 'living' anticipates the truly endless life of Christ. The permanence of Melchizedek's order, fulfilled in the risen Jesus, marks its superiority over the temporary Levitical system.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Heb 6:20where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
- Heb 5:6And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
- Rev 1:18the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.
- Heb 7:23Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office.
- John 14:19In a little while the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live.
- Heb 3:16For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?
- John 14:6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
- Heb 9:24–25For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God.
- John 11:25–26Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.
- Heb 9:27Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment,
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 7:8 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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