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The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

Hebrews 7:8

HEBREWS—NOTE ON Hebrews 7:8 he lives. Melchizedek is a “priest forever” (Psalms 110:4; see note on Heb. 7:3). Because the Melchizedek priesthood is eternal, it is superior to the Levitical priesthood (vv. Hebrews 7:23). The author is probably not claiming that Melchizedek never died, but that he is a type of Christ in that nothing is stated in the biblical text about his death (see note on v. 3), and so Melchizedek foreshadows the risen Jesus.

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See also Hebrews 7:8 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Hebrews 7:8. _HERE MEN THAT DIE RECEIVE TITHES_] The apostle is speaking of the ecclesiastical constitution of the Jews, which was standing at the time this epistle was written. Under the Jewis...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    AND HERE MEN THAT DIE RECEIVE TITHES - Another point showing the inferiority of the Levitical priesthood. They who thus received tithes, though by the right to do this they asserted a superiority over...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 7 _ 1. The priesthood of Melchisedec in contrast with the Levitical priesthood (Hebrews 7:1)_ 2. The holy and heavenly priesthood of Christ (Hebrews 7:20) Hebrews 7:1 The interrupted argume...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST. It is shown that Scripture itself makes reference to a type of priesthood which is quite distinct from the Levitical. The nature of this priesthood is set forth ...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    A PRIEST AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK (Hebrews 7:1-28) We come now to a passage of such paramount importance for the writer to the Hebrews and in itself so difficult to understand that we must deal...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    Just see how great this man was--Abraham gave him the tenth of the spoils of victory--and Abraham was no less than the founder of our nation. Now look at the difference--when the sons of Levi receive...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    HERE. Add "indeed". MEN. App-123. TITHES. Same as "tenth", Hebrews 7:2. HE. Read _one_. _receiveth them._ Omit. WITNESSED. Greek. _martureo._ See p. 1511. LIVETH i.e. as there is no mention of hi...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _And here_ As things now are; while the Levitic priesthood still continues. _men that die_ "Dying men" men who are under liability to die (comp. Hebrews 7:23), as in the lines "He preached as one wh...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    BECAUSE HE IS THE TYPE OF AN _UNDYING_ PRIEST 8. ΚΑῚ ὯΔΕ. As things now are; while the Levitic priesthood still continues. ἈΠΟΘΝΉΣΚΟΝΤΕΣ ἌΝΘΡΩΠΟΙ, “_weak dying men_”—men who are under liability to d...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    CH. 7. CHRIST, AS AN ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHISEDEK, IS SUPERIOR TO THE LEVITIC HIGH PRIEST Historic reference to Melchisedek (1–3). His Priesthood typically superior to that of Aa...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _PRIESTHOOD LIKE MELCHIZEDEK -- HEBREWS 7:1-10:_ Melchizedek is set forth as a type of Christ. He is (a) king of Salem, and (b) priest of the most high God. Who was this Melchizedek? In Genesis 14:18...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΑΠΟΘΝΉΣΚΟΝΤΕΣ _praes. act. part. от_ ΑΠΟΘΝΉΣΚΩ (G599) умирать. Безартиклевое _part._ используется как атрибутивное и подчеркивает особенность: "смертные люди" (RG, 1105f; Hughes). _Praes._ обозначает...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    AND HERE MEN THAT DIE, &C.— _Here_ [according to the law] _men that die take tithes; but there,_ [in the case of Melchisedec,] _he, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth._ As to the single point of t...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    _As seen in Melchizedek's greatness in his relationship to Abraham. Hebrews 7:4-10_. _TEXT_ Hebrews 7:4-10 Hebrews 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a t

  • Combined Bible Commentary

    MELCHIZEDEK, CONTINUED (Hebrews 7:4-10) The chief design of the apostle in this chapter was not to declare the nature of Christ’s priesthood, nor to describe the exercise thereof; instead, he dwells...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. Second point of superiority: Melchisedek's is an enduring, the Levitical a transitory, pri...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    11 Brotherly kindness manifested in the service of the saints is several times commended in t his epistle (Heb_10:34, Heb_13:1), and will be rewarded in accord with the promise of Mat_10:40-42. 12 "T...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    PRIESTHOOD AFTER THE ORDER OF AARON AND OF MELCHIZEDEK The theme of Christ's superiority to the Levitical priesthood is here resumed. In Hebrews 5:1 it has been shown that Christ possesses all the cha...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    HOW CAN I GET TO HEAVEN? HEBREWS _IAN MACKERVOY_ CHAPTER 7 JESUS IS SUPERIOR TO MELCHIZEDEK 7:1-28 MELCHIZEDEK 7:1-10 V1 This Melchizedek was king of *Salem and priest of God Most High. He met...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    “Here,” under the Levitical economy, dying men receive the various tithes. Men enter by birth into a state with which this right is associated, and by death again pass out of it. No special significan...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER VII. THE ALLEGORY OF MELCHIZEDEK. Hebrews 7:1 (R.V.). "For this Melchizedek, King of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed hi...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    Superiority of Melchizedek to Levitical priests. The argument is: he was greater than Abraham, the great fountain of the people and of blessing. How much more is he greater than the descendants of Abr...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    Another note of the superiority of Melchizedek. καὶ ὧδε μὲν δεκάτας … “And here men that die receive tithes, but there one of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.” ὧδε “here,” _i.e._, in this Levitica...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    A PRIESTHOOD SUPERIOR TO AARON' S Hebrews 7:1 Melchizedek was probably a literal king and priest in Salem. The blue smoke of his sacrifices rose morning and evening on the hill. Amid the turbulent la...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The writer now takes up again the subject of the Priesthood of Jesus after the order of Melchisedek. Melchisedek is called "Priest of the Most High." His name means king of righteousness. He is called...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    MELCHIZEDEK'S SUPERIORITY TO LEVI The scriptures would also show one that the Aaronic priests died, but there is no record of Melchizedek's so doing. He did not receive his priesthood by birth, nor di...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (1) For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; (2) To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; fir...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    The apostle now resumes his great theme, Christ called a Priest of God for ever after the order of Melchisedec. He alludes, in the beginning of our chapter, to the historical facts of Genesis. We must...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _EVIDENTIAL VALUE OF THE EUCHARIST_ ‘It is witnessed that He liveth.’ Hebrews 7:8 Amidst the manifold, the inexhaustible significance of the Holy Communion, there is one side or element not very of...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    8._Of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. _He takes the silence respecting his death, as I have said, as an evidence of his life. This would not indeed hold as to others, but as to Melchisedec it oug...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    The epistle, returning to the subject of Melchizedec, reviews therefore the dignity of his person and the importance of his priesthood. For on priesthood, as a means of drawing nigh to God, the whole...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    AND HERE MEN THAT DIE RECEIVE TITHES, c,] The priests and Levites were not only men, and mortal men, subject to death, but they did die, and so did not continue, by reason of death, Hebrews 7:24 BUT...

  • John Owen’s Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews(7 vols)

    In the five following verses the apostle pursues and concludes that part of his argument, from the consideration of Melchisedec, which concerned the greatness and glory of Him who was represented by h...

  • John Owen’s Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews(7 vols)

    The eighth verse carrieth on the same argument, by a particular application unto the matter in hand of the things which he had in general observed before in Melchisedec; for whereas the apostle had be...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    And here men that die receive tithes; but there he _receiveth them_, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. Ver. 8. _That he liveth_] Tithes then are due to the ministers of Christ that liveth, beca...

  • Jonathan Edwards' Notes On The Scriptures

    Heb. 7:3-18. Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. Now consider how great...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _And here_ In the Levitical priesthood; _men that die, receive tithes, but there_ In the case of Melchisedec; _he of whom it is witnessed that he liveth_ Who is not spoken of as one that died for anot...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    MEN THAT DIE-HE LIVETH; he passes to another point in which Melchisedec's priesthood was typically superior to that of the Levitical priests: it had no limitation; all the testimony we have of him is...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    The superiority of Melchizedek over the Levitical priests:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    AND HERE MEN THAT DIE RECEIVE TITHES; BUT THERE HE RECEIVETH THEM OF WHOM IT IS WITNESSED THAT HE LIVETH....

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    "For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him: to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all: first bein...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    4-10 That High Priest who should afterward appear, of whom Melchizedec was a type, must be much superior to the Levitical priests. Observe Abraham's great dignity and happiness; that he had the promi...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    OLBGrk; His greatness as to his priesthood above the Levitical, is proved from its immortality. Immortal is greater and better than mortal; such is his order of priesthood. This argument he brings in...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Hebrews 7:8 G2532 Here G5602 G3303 mortal G599 (G5723) men G444 receive G2983 (G5719) tithes...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Hebrews 7:8. AND HERE INDEED (as in Hebrews 7:5, ‘indeed' is useful only to make more clear the contrast of the following clause; an emphatic ‘ AND HERE ' would be better) refers not to the time of Me...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    HERE (ωδε). In the Levitical system.THERE (εκε). In the case of Melchizedek.OF WHOM IT IS WITNESSED (μαρτυρουμενος). "Being witnessed," present passive participle of μαρτυρεω (personal construc...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Hebrews 7:1 Melchisedec a Type. I. What is meant by King? what by Priest? what is the idea of Kingship and of Priesthood? (1) The idea of Kingship was to some extent announced in the creation of Adam...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Hebrews 7:1. _For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of al...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Melchisedec as a type Christ. Comparison of Melchisedec and Aaronic priesthoods. CHARACTERS: God, Christ, Melchisedec, Abraham, Levi, Aaron, Moses. CONCLUSION: Jesus Christ, the true King-P...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Hebrews 7:1. _This Melchizedec,_ to whose illustrious history he now returns, from Hebrews 5:11, was first by name or title king of righteousness, and afterwards _king of Salem,_ that is, king of peac...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    BY MEN WHO DIE. "The priesthood of all Jewish priests terminates at a point in time, and the death of the high priest is a matter of record, because accurate accounts are kept of it." By ONE WHO LIVES...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Melchisedec, king of Salem_ MELCHISEDEC I. MELCHISEDEC WAS “KING OF SALEM.” 1. Salem was certainly in Canaan--the land where Melchisedec and Abraham met. (1) It is not a matter of course that Can...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ Hebrews 7:4. HOW GREAT.—Lit. “of what exalted rank.” Jesus had shown great reverence for Abraham. SPOILS.—Lit. “the top part of a heap of grain.” Then firstfruits. “As...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION THE PRIEST AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK. The exposition of Christ's heavenly priesthood is now at length taken up and carried out. It extends to Hebrews 10:19, forming the central part o...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Shall we turn now in our Bibles to Hebrews, the seventh chapter. In the book of Genesis, after Abraham and Lot had parted company, there was a confederation of five kings that conquered in the area wh...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    Hebrews 3:16; Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:23; Hebrews 9:24;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Here [ω δ ε]. In the Levitical economy. Men that die receive tithes. The emphasis is on ajpoqnhskontev dying. The Levites are dying men, who pass away in due course, and are succeeded by others. But...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST Hebrews 7:1 _and Hebrews 8:1_ INTRODUCTORY WORDS Christ was God's Priest after the order of Melchisedec. "The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a Priest for ever after...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    And here — In the Levitical priesthood. But there — In the case of Melchisedec. He of whom it is testified that he liveth — Who is not spoken of as one that died for another to succeed him; but is rep...

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Our apostle still carrieth on the same argument, proving Melchizedek's priesthood to surpass and excel the Aaronical and Levitical priesthood in the immortality of it: As the less is blessed of the gr...

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