Hebrews Chapter Seven Verses 1-10

HEBREWS CHAPTER SEVEN VS 1-10 (USING KING JAMES STUDY TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 7:1  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; 

Heb 7:2  To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 

Heb 7:3  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. 

Heb 7:4  Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 

Heb 7:5  And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: 

Heb 7:6  But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 

Heb 7:7  And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. 

Heb 7:8  And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 

Heb 7:9  And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 

Heb 7:10  For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. 

Main Point: (To the Hebrew) – Consider what you know about Melchizedek, he is better than Abraham!

1.   List the ways that Melchizedek was greater than those of the Levitical priesthood: Priest AND King (like Jesus), the Abrahamic lineage is subordinate to Melchizedek (the one giving the blessing is greater than the one receiving), the Abrahamic lineage is subordinate to Melchizedek since Abraham tithed to him and in so doing represented all his later lineage, Melchizedek has no recorded beginning or ending and in that sense is still alive (like Jesus) – also Melchizedek is not of the order of Levi

2.   Why is the statement in verse 3 ”without father, without mother, without genealogy” important? The statement supports the concept of a true reflection of God. (Although the writer does not imply Melchizedek as equal with God). Ultimately, Melchizedek’s life reflected a life similar to the Son of God,” made like unto the Son of God “.
3): Like: 871- to assimilate closely: - make like.
It also disassociates the man from the rest of mankind….puts him “in a league” above others.

Additional:

Melchizedek: H4442- king of right; Malki-Tsedek

Salem: G4532- Hebrew origin [H8004]; Salem – H8004- The same as H8003; peaceful; Shalem, an early name of Jerusalem: - Salem. H8003- From H7999; complete H7999 - A primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate)

Is it no wonder that Jesus is continually referenced as “perfect, perfected, or complete”? This dissertation would have welled up in the Hebrew heart: The NAME of Jerusalem (or Salem….or shalom), and the association of peace, perfection, completion. Jesus embodied these characteristics both in physical, and spiritual levels (as was witnessed by men (see chapter one)).

As we see here, the writer merely associated the ministry of Jesus as similar to Melchizedek in an abstract application. However, the STORY of Melchizedek can be read within minutes. Everything else written about him was not a witnessed act or traceable through historical writings by witnesses to his life. In this sense Jesus is far superior AND believable.

Verse eight is one key to the argument. In the Hebrew teaching (based on Psalms) was that Melchizedek did not die, is still alive, and is still a high priest (forever).