Hebrews 7:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 7:1-10

The foregoing chapter ended with a repetition of what had been cited once and again before out of Ps. 110:4; Jesus, a high priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec. Now this chapter is as a sermon upon that text; here the apostle sets before them some of the strong meat he had spoken of before, hoping they would by greater diligence be better prepared to digest it. I. The great question that first offers itself is, Who was this Melchisedec? All the account we have of him in the Old... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 7:1-28

We come now to a passage of such paramount importance for the writer to the Hebrews and in itself so difficult to understand that we must deal with it in a special way. Hebrews 6:1-20 , ( Hebrews 6:20 ), ended with the statement that Jesus had been made a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. This priesthood after the order of Melchizedek is the most characteristic thought of Hebrews. Behind it lie ways of thinking and of arguing and of using scripture which are quite strange to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 7:5

And verily they that are of the sons of Levi ,.... Or Levites; who are of the tribe of Levi, whose descent is from him: who receive the office of the priesthood ; as some of them were priests, though not all; and the Levites therefore are sometimes called priests. R. Joshua ben Levi says, that in twenty four places the priests are called Levites; and this is one of them, Ezekiel 44:15 "and the priests and Levites", &c.; F11 T. Bab. Yebamot, fol. 86. 2. & Becorot, fol. 4. 1.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:5

They that are of the sons of Levi - The priests who are of the posterity of the Levites, and receive the priesthood in virtue of their descent from Aaron, have authority from the law of God to receive tithes from the people. According to the law - That is, the Levites received a tenth from the people. The priests received a tenth of this tenth from the Levites, who are here called their brethren, because they were of the same tribe, and employed in the same sacred work. The apostle is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:5

Verse 5 5.And verily they, etc. It would be more suitable to render the words thus, “because they are the sons of Levi.” The Apostle indeed does not assign it as a reason that they received tithes because they were the sons of Levi; but he is comparing the whole tribe with Melchisedec in this way. Though God granted to the Levites the right of requiring tithes from the people, and thus set them above all the Israelites, yet they have all descended from the same parent; and Abraham, the father... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 7:1-10

Melchizedek. The author here returns from his long digression, and enters upon the central theme of the treatise. I. WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT MELCHIZEDEK . ( Hebrews 7:1-3 ) 1. As a man. Such omissions respecting a personage so exalted are contrary to Oriental custom. The points which the Holy Spirit has studiously concealed about Melchizedek are—his personal parentage, his priestly pedigree, and the dates of his birth and death. 2. As a type. ( Hebrews 7:3 ) The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 7:1-10

Christ a Priest after the order of Melchizedek. The writer now returns from the digression. So far he has established from their Scriptures the priesthood of Christ. But that is not enough; that is no reason why he should be preferred to Aaron. He proceeds, then, to show that, however great Aaron was, Christ was greater. But on what grounds can he establish this to the satisfaction of a Hebrew? He rests his proof entirely on those Scriptures which the Hebrew accepted as authoritative, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 7:1-17

The priesthood forever after the order of Melchizedek. It is evident that the whole of this elaborate argument with respect to Melchizedek must be looked at in the light of the reference to Psalms 110:1-7 . In quoting this psalm, the writer was on firm ground so far as his readers were concerned. They would not repudiate the significance of this utterance, that it must have some weighty, practical meaning; and it was his to show them what that meaning was, and so to cheer their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 7:4-10

Christ superior to Melchizedek. I. THE GREATNESS OF OUR LORD IS FORESHADOWED BY MELCHIZEDEK 'S RECEIVING TITHES FROM ABRAHAM . As the representative of Jehovah, Abraham paid tithes to this distinguished priest. There is here an instance of that corporate principle which appears in the writings of Paul, who affirms that by the sin of Adam there came upon the race spiritual loss and exposure to death; and by the appearance and glorious work of our Lord many are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 7:5-7

And they indeed of the song of Levi who receive the office of priesthood have commandment to receive tithes of the people according to the Law, that is, of their brethren, though these have come out of the loins of Abraham: but he whose genealogy is not counted from them hath received tithes of Abraham. As much as to say, "Let it not be said that the tithing of Abraham by Melchizedek implies no higher priestly prerogative than the tithing of Abraham's descendants by the sons of Aaron; for... read more

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