Devine Scripture

Hebrews 7:4

What does Hebrews 7:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 7:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 7:4 means

We are urged to weigh Melchizedek’s greatness by considering that Abraham, the patriarch and recipient of God’s promises, voluntarily gave him a tenth of the choicest spoils. If Abraham honored Melchizedek in this way, it signifies deference to someone higher. The author is not diminishing Abraham but using his stature to magnify Melchizedek. This act indicates that Melchizedek stands above Abraham in a priestly sense, because tithes and blessings acknowledge rank. Thus the narrative from Abraham’s life becomes a key testimony: a priest-king outside the later Levitical system was recognized as superior by Israel’s forefather himself.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now see how great this man was, to whom our father Abraham gave a tenth part of what he had got in the fight.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And see how great this one <FI>is<Fi> , to whom also a tenth Abraham the patriarch did give out of the best of the spoils,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now consider how great this man is, to whom also Abraham the patriarch gave tithes out of the principal things.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Now consider how great this [personage] was, to whom [even] the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth out of the spoils.

Context

After establishing Melchizedek’s typological permanence, the argument turns to an observable deed: Abraham’s tithe. This is persuasive to Jewish readers who revere Abraham. Verse 4 sets the comparison: if Abraham honored Melchizedek, Melchizedek must be great indeed. The following verses (5–7) develop the contrast by showing how Levitical priests took tithes by legal command, whereas Melchizedek received tithes from Abraham and blessed him, proving superiority. The flow is moving from recognition of greatness to the principle that blessing flows from the greater to the lesser.

v.3without 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.

v.4This passage

v.5And they indeed of the sons of Levi that receive the priest’s office have commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though these have come out of the loins of Abraham:

Cross references

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

  • Acts 7:8

    And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs.

  • Genesis 17:5

    Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for the father of a multitude of nations have I made thee.

  • Romans 4:17

    (as it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee) before him whom he believed, even God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were.

  • Genesis 12:2

    and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and be thou a blessing:

  • Acts 2:29

    Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day.

  • Romans 4:11

    and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them;

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