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Hebrews 7:4

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Hebrews 7:4

Verse 4 of 28

Scripture focus

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

Hebrews 7:4 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Hebrews 7:4

Theological / Devotional

How great. The Jews held Abraham in high esteem (see John 8:52). The author of Hebrews now proceeds to prove that Melchisedec was still greater. And if he was greater, then Christ’s priesthood, which was after the manner of Melchisedec (see on Heb. 5:6), was greater than the Aaronic.

Even. Textual evidence is divided (cf. p. 10) between retaining and omitting this word.

Patriarch. Gr. patriarchies, “father of a nation.” Abraham is here called “patriarch” to heighten the effect. Melchisedec was so great that “even the patriarch” paid him tithe. In doing so, Abraham acknowledged the superior, priestly authority of Melchisedec.

Tenth. See v. 2.

Spoils. Doubtless the spoils of the recent battle (Gen. 14:14-16).

By SdaBc