Devine Scripture

Hebrews 7:6

What does Hebrews 7:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 7:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 7:6 means

Melchizedek, who was not counted within the Levitical genealogy, nevertheless received tithes from Abraham. More than that, he blessed Abraham, the one entrusted with God’s promises. This double action—receiving a tithe and bestowing a blessing—shows Melchizedek’s superiority. If Abraham is the promise-holder, then for him to be blessed by another marks that other as greater in rank. Melchizedek’s greatness, therefore, is recognized by Abraham himself. The author underscores that true priestly greatness is not confined to the Levitical line; it is seen when even the patriarch acknowledges another’s spiritual primacy through giving and receiving a blessing.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But this man, who was not of their family, took the tenth from Abraham, and gave a blessing to him to whom God had given his undertaking.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he who was not reckoned by genealogy of them, received tithes from Abraham, and him having the promises he hath blessed,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But he, whose pedigree is not numbered among them, received tithes of Abraham and blessed him that had the promises.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but he who has no genealogy from them has tithed Abraham, and blessed him who had the promises.

Context

The contrast now reaches its point. Having described Levitical rights to tithes, the writer shows Melchizedek’s greater status by Abraham’s tithe and by the blessing given to Abraham. The logic is preparing for the principle in verse 7: the lesser is blessed by the greater. Establishing that principle allows the author to argue not only Melchizedek’s superiority to Abraham, but by implication his superiority to Levi, who is descended from Abraham. The next verses apply this logic to the mortality of Levitical priests and the enduring portrayal of Melchizedek.

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:

v.6This passage

v.7But without any dispute the less is blessed of the better.

Cross references

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

  • Hebrews 11:13

    These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

  • Genesis 12:13

    Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister; that it may be well with me for thy sake, and that my soul may live because of thee.

  • Galatians 3:16

    Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

  • Genesis 14:19

    And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth:

  • 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:

  • Hebrews 7:3

    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.

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