Hebrews 7:4
Verse
Context
Melchizedek and Abraham
3Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.4Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.5Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Consider how great this man was - There is something exceedingly mysterious in the person and character of this king of Salem; and to find out the whole is impossible. He seems to have been a sort of universal priest, having none superior to him in all that region; and confessedly superior even to Abraham himself, the father of the faithful, and the source of the Jewish race. See Heb 7:7. The patriarch Abraham - Ὁ πατριαρχης· Either from πατηρ, a father, and αρχη, a chief or head; or from πατριας αρχη, the head of a family.' But the title is here applied, by way of eminence, to him who was the head or chief of all the fathers - or patriarch of the patriarchs, and father of the faithful. The Syriac translates it Rish Abahatha, "head of the fathers." The character and conduct of Abraham place him, as a man, deservedly at the head of the human race.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
consider--not merely see, but weigh with attentive contemplation, the fact. even--"to whom (as his superior) Abraham even paid tithe (went so far as to pay tithe) of (consisting of, literally, 'from') the best of the spoils (literally, 'the top of the heap"; whether of corn, the first-fruits of which, taken from the top, used to be consecrated to God; or of spoils, from the top of which the general used to take some portion for consecration to God, or for his own use)." He paid "tithes of ALL," and those tithes were taken out of the topmost and best portion of the whole spoils. the patriarch--in the Greek emphatically standing at the end of the whole sentence: And this payer of tithe being no less a personage than "the patriarch," the first forefather and head of our Jewish race and nation See on Heb 7:3, on Melchisedec's superiority as specially consecrated king-priest, above the other patriarch-priests.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Now consider how great this man was,.... Melchizedek, of whom so many great and wonderful things are said in the preceding verses: and as follows, unto whom the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils; of Abraham's giving tithes to him; see Gill on Heb 7:2 and Melchizedek's greatness is aggravated, not only from this act of Abraham's, but from Abraham's being a "patriarch", who did it; he was the patriarch of patriarchs, as the sons of Jacob are called, Act 7:8 he is the patriarch of the whole Jewish nation, and of many nations, and of all believers, the friend of God, and heir of the world; how great then must Melchizedek be, to whom he paid tithes? and how much greater must Christ, the antitype of Melchizedek, be?
Tyndale Open Study Notes
7:4 The point of this section (7:1-10) is to have the readers consider . . . how great this Melchizedek was by comparing him to the descendants of Levi. Melchizedek was so great that Abraham gave him a tenth of the spoils of battle (Gen 14:20).
Hebrews 7:4
Melchizedek and Abraham
3Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.4Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.5Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The Spoils of Spiritual Warfare
By David Wilkerson7.8K49:48GEN 14:121CH 26:27HEB 7:4In this sermon, the preacher discusses the spoils of spiritual warfare. He emphasizes that God's eternal purposes are being fulfilled and that believers are more than conquerors in their battles. The sermon uses the story of the siege of Samaria and the four lepers to illustrate this point. The lepers, facing certain death, venture into the enemy camp and discover an abundance of spoils, including gold and garments. This serves as a reminder that God promises victory and abundance to His people in their spiritual battles.
Able to Save to T/uttermost 02 Because of His Greatness
By James R. Cochrane67937:37ISA 52:13HEB 7:1HEB 7:4HEB 7:7HEB 7:17REV 7:17In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the greatness of the Lord Jesus and how it is revealed in different ways. They mention that God's promise in the Bible is that His servant, Jesus, will be exalted and made very high. However, in the world today, it may seem the opposite is true. The speaker explains that the greatness of Jesus can be understood by looking at historical incidents, comparing His ministry to those in the Old Testament, and contrasting time with eternity. They also highlight how Jesus, in His greatness, cares for and shepherds His people.
What the Bible Teaches About Tithing
By Keith Malcomson0GEN 14:18JHN 8:39ROM 4:20GAL 3:7HEB 7:4Keith Malcomson addresses the controversy and contention surrounding the subject of tithing, emphasizing the importance of returning to God's truth on this matter with a pure heart. He highlights the two extremes in the Church - the hyper prosperity movement and the rejection of tithing, urging believers to seek a balanced, scriptural approach. Malcomson stresses the need to place God at the center of our hearts in relation to money, consecrating our finances unto the Lord and avoiding carnal disputes. Through the examples of Abraham and Jacob, he illustrates the principles of tithing under grace, faith, and obedience, encouraging believers to honor God with their substance.
Tithing Part 2
By A.W. Pink0Faith and Trust in GodTithingGEN 14:20MAL 3:10LUK 12:48HEB 7:4A.W. Pink emphasizes the significance of tithing as a moral obligation for Christians, arguing that it predates the law and is reinforced in the New Testament. He explains that tithing serves as a recognition of God's rights, a remedy against covetousness, and a solution to financial issues within the church. Pink encourages believers to test God through their tithes, promising that those who honor Him will not be left wanting. He asserts that the blessings from God will be abundant, as demonstrated in the lives of faithful givers. Ultimately, Pink challenges Christians to trust God with their finances, assuring them of His provision and faithfulness.
The Sacrifice of Praise
By H.J. Vine0LUK 2:13EPH 5:19COL 3:16HEB 2:12HEB 5:4HEB 7:4HEB 13:15H.J. Vine preaches on the importance of offering the sacrifice of praise to God continually, despite the challenges and influences that may try to hinder our worship. He emphasizes that true revival in the assembly is marked by constant praise, not just on special occasions, and that both servants of the Lord and saints should never cease to praise God, even in the face of adversity and opposition. The sermon highlights the greatness and faithfulness of Jesus Christ as our Apostle and High Priest, encouraging believers to consider Him in His glory and in His sufferings, which leads to deep-toned worship and offerings of praise.
Some Queries and Considerations Proposed to the Cavaliers
By Isaac Penington0GEN 14:202CH 19:8JHN 8:33ACT 2:29ACT 7:8HEB 7:4Greek Word Studies delves into the significance of the term 'patriarch' in Scripture, highlighting the role of important male ancestors as heads of families or tribes, such as Abraham, the 'first father' of the Jewish people. The preacher explores the authority and lineage represented by patriarchs, emphasizing the greatness of Melchizedek even above Abraham. Through various Bible verses and commentaries, the sermon discusses the concept of tithing and the recognition of superior spiritual status, challenging listeners to acknowledge and honor God's appointed leaders.
Hebrews 7:1-10
By St. John Chrysostom0PSA 121:4ISA 1:16MAT 5:8MAT 15:19ROM 9:16HEB 7:4HEB 7:8John Chrysostom preaches on the significance of Melchisedec, King of Salem, Priest of the Most High God, as a type of Christ, emphasizing his titles 'King of Righteousness' and 'King of Peace' which point to Jesus. Chrysostom explains the mysterious nature of Melchisedec, being without father, mother, genealogy, beginning of days, or end of life, likening him to the Son of God. He highlights Melchisedec's superiority over Abraham, the Levites, and the Jewish priesthood, showing how the priesthood of Melchisedec foreshadows the eternal priesthood of Christ. Chrysostom urges believers to guard themselves against spiritual slumber, emphasizing the importance of free will in choosing righteousness and the need for repentance to cleanse the soul from sin.
Genesis 14:1-24
By John Calvin0GEN 14:17GEN 14:22PSA 110:4HEB 7:1HEB 7:4JAS 5:12John Calvin expounds on the historical account of Abram's victory over the kings, emphasizing the divine intervention and protection granted to him as a chosen servant of God. The narrative showcases Abram's faith, courage, and integrity in refusing the spoils of war, attributing his success to God alone. Melchizedek's appearance as a priest and king foreshadows Christ's dual role as the eternal Priest and King, symbolizing the superiority of Christ's priesthood over the Levitical priesthood. Abram's oath to the king of Sodom reflects his commitment to honesty and righteousness, setting a standard of integrity for others to follow.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Consider how great this man was - There is something exceedingly mysterious in the person and character of this king of Salem; and to find out the whole is impossible. He seems to have been a sort of universal priest, having none superior to him in all that region; and confessedly superior even to Abraham himself, the father of the faithful, and the source of the Jewish race. See Heb 7:7. The patriarch Abraham - Ὁ πατριαρχης· Either from πατηρ, a father, and αρχη, a chief or head; or from πατριας αρχη, the head of a family.' But the title is here applied, by way of eminence, to him who was the head or chief of all the fathers - or patriarch of the patriarchs, and father of the faithful. The Syriac translates it Rish Abahatha, "head of the fathers." The character and conduct of Abraham place him, as a man, deservedly at the head of the human race.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
consider--not merely see, but weigh with attentive contemplation, the fact. even--"to whom (as his superior) Abraham even paid tithe (went so far as to pay tithe) of (consisting of, literally, 'from') the best of the spoils (literally, 'the top of the heap"; whether of corn, the first-fruits of which, taken from the top, used to be consecrated to God; or of spoils, from the top of which the general used to take some portion for consecration to God, or for his own use)." He paid "tithes of ALL," and those tithes were taken out of the topmost and best portion of the whole spoils. the patriarch--in the Greek emphatically standing at the end of the whole sentence: And this payer of tithe being no less a personage than "the patriarch," the first forefather and head of our Jewish race and nation See on Heb 7:3, on Melchisedec's superiority as specially consecrated king-priest, above the other patriarch-priests.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Now consider how great this man was,.... Melchizedek, of whom so many great and wonderful things are said in the preceding verses: and as follows, unto whom the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils; of Abraham's giving tithes to him; see Gill on Heb 7:2 and Melchizedek's greatness is aggravated, not only from this act of Abraham's, but from Abraham's being a "patriarch", who did it; he was the patriarch of patriarchs, as the sons of Jacob are called, Act 7:8 he is the patriarch of the whole Jewish nation, and of many nations, and of all believers, the friend of God, and heir of the world; how great then must Melchizedek be, to whom he paid tithes? and how much greater must Christ, the antitype of Melchizedek, be?
Tyndale Open Study Notes
7:4 The point of this section (7:1-10) is to have the readers consider . . . how great this Melchizedek was by comparing him to the descendants of Levi. Melchizedek was so great that Abraham gave him a tenth of the spoils of battle (Gen 14:20).