Devine Scripture

Hebrews 7:8

What does Hebrews 7:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 7:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 7:8 means

The comparison shifts to the permanence of priesthood. In the Levitical system, those who receive tithes are mortal men—they live and die, and their service ends. But in the Melchizedek account, Scripture bears witness to a life that continues, not by narrating his death. This literary silence gives Melchizedek a symbolic, enduring quality in the biblical record. The author is not claiming he never died; rather, the text presents him as if he lives on, making him a fitting type of an everlasting priest. This contrast urges us to look beyond a succession of dying priests to a priesthood grounded in indestructible life.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And here men that die receive tithes; but there one, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And here men that die receive tithes; but there one, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now at the present time, men over whom death has power take the tenth; but then it was taken by one of whom it is witnessed that he is living.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and here, indeed, men who die do receive tithes, and there <FI>he<Fi> , who is testified to that he was living,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And here indeed, men that die receive tithes: but there, he hath witness that he liveth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And here dying men receive tithes; but there [one] of whom the witness is that he lives;

Context

Having established Melchizedek’s greatness over Abraham, the writer now highlights durability. The Levitical priesthood is marked by mortality; Melchizedek’s scriptural portrayal suggests continuity. This sets up the decisive step in verses 9–10: even Levi, ancestor of the Levitical priests, is said to have paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham. The aim is to demonstrate that Melchizedek’s order is prior and superior, and thus to prepare the reader for the necessity of a new, better priesthood in verses 11–12.

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

v.8This passage

v.9And, so to say, through Abraham even Levi, who receiveth tithes, hath paid tithes;

Cross references

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

  • Hebrews 5:6

    as he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.

  • John 14:19

    Yet a little while, and the world beholdeth me no more; but ye behold me: because I live, ye shall live also.

  • Hebrews 6:20

    whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

  • Hebrews 9:24

    For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us:

  • Hebrews 3:16

    For who, when they heard, did provoke? nay, did not all they that came out of Egypt by Moses?

  • Hebrews 9:27

    And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment;

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