Devine Scripture

Hebrews 7:1

What does Hebrews 7:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 7:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 7:1 means

The writer brings forward Melchizedek, both a king and a priest, who met Abraham after a victorious battle and pronounced a blessing on him. This recalls a unique figure who served as priest of God Most High apart from Israel’s later institutions. By highlighting that Melchizedek blessed Abraham, the author signals his remarkable stature, since Abraham is the revered patriarch. Melchizedek’s combined roles—king over Salem and priest to the Most High—set him apart from the Levitical order, where kingship and priesthood were divided. This introduction prepares us to see why Melchizedek provides the pattern for a higher priesthood, one that predates and surpasses the system established through Moses and Aaron.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For this Melchizedek, the king of Salem, a priest of the Most High God, who gave Abraham his blessing, meeting him when he came back after putting the kings to death,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

For this Melchisedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who did meet Abraham turning back from the smiting of the kings, and did bless him,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For this Melchisedech was king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For this Melchisedec, King of Salem, priest of the most highGod, who met Abraham returning from smiting the kings, and blessed him;

Context

Hebrews has been arguing that Jesus is a priest “after the order of Melchizedek.” To support that claim, the author returns to the original encounter recorded in Scripture. Verse 1 introduces Melchizedek’s identity and action toward Abraham. The next verses will unpack his name and titles and explain why his meeting with Abraham matters for evaluating priestly rank. This frame is crucial because the readers respect Abraham; proving Melchizedek’s greatness over Abraham sets the stage for showing a priesthood superior to Levi’s, and thus prepares the way to affirm Christ’s surpassing priesthood.

v.1This passage

v.2to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 57:2

    I will cry unto God Most High, Unto God that performeth all things for me.

  • Genesis 14:18

    And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was priest of God Most High.

  • Micah 6:6

    Wherewith shall I come before Jehovah, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old?

  • Psalms 76:2

    In Salem also is his tabernacle, And his dwelling-place in Zion.

  • Psalms 78:35

    And they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High God their redeemer.

  • Daniel 5:21

    and he was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the beasts’, and his dwelling was with the wild asses; he was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; until he knew that the Most High God ruleth in the kingdom of men, and that he setteth up over it whomsoever he will.

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