Devine Scripture

Hebrews 7:3

What does Hebrews 7:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 7:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 7:3 means

The description “without father, without mother, without genealogy” does not claim Melchizedek was superhuman; it notes Scripture gives no record of his ancestry, birth, or death. This silence serves a theological purpose: he appears in the biblical narrative as a priest who “abides” without stated beginning or end, thus resembling the Son of God. In this way he is a deliberate pattern, not the Son himself, but made like him. The point is permanence. Unlike Levitical priests who trace their line carefully, Melchizedek’s priesthood in Scripture looks continuous, suggesting a higher order—eternal in character—that anticipates Christ’s unending priesthood.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God), abideth a priest continually.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God), abideth a priest continually.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Being without father or mother, or family, having no birth or end to his life, being made like the Son of God, is a priest for ever.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, and being made like to the Son of God, doth remain a priest continually.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but likened unto the Son of God, continueth a priest for ever.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

without father, without mother, without genealogy; having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but assimilated to the Son ofGod, abides a priest continually.

Context

Following the explanation of Melchizedek’s names, verse 3 underscores how the biblical portrayal itself is distinctive. The lack of recorded genealogy is vital, since Levitical priesthood depends on documented descent. By contrast, Melchizedek’s scriptural profile implies enduring priestly status, forming a type of the Son’s everlasting priesthood. This prepares the reader to measure greatness not only by titles but by the appearance of permanence. With that foundation, verse 4 invites us to “consider how great” he was, using Abraham’s tithe as concrete evidence of his superiority.

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;

v.3This passage

v.4Now consider how great this man was, unto whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the chief spoils.

Cross references

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

  • Hebrews 7:6

    but he whose genealogy is not counted from them hath taken tithes of Abraham, and hath blessed him that hath the promises.

  • Hebrews 7:23

    And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing:

  • Exodus 6:18

    And the sons of Kohath: Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel; and the years of the life of Kohath were a hundred thirty and three years.

  • 1 Chronicles 6:1

    The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

  • Matthew 4:3

    And the tempter came and said unto him, If thou art the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.

  • Hebrews 7:17

    for it is witnessed of him, Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.

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