4. The superiority of the Melchisedec priesthood to the Levitical.
Consider (Gewpeire). Only here in Hebrews and °P. Except this passage, confined to the Synoptic Gospels, Acts,
and Johannine writings. See on L. x. 18; J. i. 18.
How great (anAicos). Only here and Gal. vi. 11.
Cx. VIL] THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 457
The patriarch (0 wrarpidpyns). Only here and in Acts.
The tenth (dexdrnv). Properly an adjective, but used as a noun for tithe. Only in Hebrews, as is the kindred verb Sexatobp to impose or take tithes. ’Arrodexatotv to exact tithes, Heb. vii. 5. Comp. Matt. xxiii. 23; L. xi. 42.
Of the spoils (é« tov axpoOiwviwv). The noun N. T.?°, from axpov topmost point, and 0% a heap. The top of the pile: the “pick” of the spoil.
5. If Melchisedec was greater than Abraham, he was greater than Abraham’s descendants, including the tribe of Levi.
They that are of the sons of Levi who receive, etc. (of éx Tav vidv Aevel AawBavortes). Those out of the sons of Levi who become priests. Not those who receive the priest- hood from the sons of Levi. Not all Levites were priests, but only those of the house of Aaron.
The office of the priesthood (77v ‘epariav). Only here and L. i. 9.
A commandment (évroAjv). A special injunction. See on Jas. ii. 8; Eph. ii. 15.
To take tithes (amodexaroiv). See on ver. 4.
That is of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham. ‘The people, the brethren of the Levites, are descended from their common ancestor, Abra- ham, yet the Levites exact tithes from them.
6. But he whose descent is not counted from them (6 88 wr yeveadoyovpevos €€ avtav). Lit. he who is not gene- alogically derived from them: Melchisedec. The verb N. T.°,
458 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. ([Cu. VIL
Received tithes of Abraham. Melchisedec, who has no part in the Levitical genealogy, and therefore no legal right to exact tithes, took tithes from the patriarch himself. Hence he was greater than Abraham. The right of the Levitical priest to receive tithes was only a legal right, conferred by special statute, and therefore implied no intrinsic superiority to his brethren; but Melchisedec, though having no legal right, received tithes from Abraham as a voluntary gift, which implied Abraham’s recognition of his personal greatness.
And hath blessed him that had the promises. Mel- chisedec accepted the position accorded to him by Abraham’s gift of tithes by bestowing on Abraham his blessing, and Abraham recognised his superiority by accepting his blessing. He who had received the divine promises might have been supposed to be above being blessed by any man. The sig- nificance of this acceptance is brought out in the next verse.
T. Without all contradiction (ywpls waons avtidoyias). Asserting a principle which no one thinks of questioning: it is the less who is blessed, and the greater who blesses.
8. Here (dde). In the Levitical economy.
Men. that die receive tithes. The emphasis is on a7ro6- vnoxovtes dying. ‘The Levites are dying men, who pass away in due course, and are succeeded by others.
But there (éxei dé). In the case of Melchisedec.
(He receiveth them of whom) it is witnessed that he liveth (uaprupovpuevos ore &p). The Greek is very condensed : being attested that he liveth. The A. V. fills it out correctly. Melchisedec does not appear in Scripture as one who dies, and whose office passes to another. See on abideth continu- ally, ver. 8.
9. Levi himself, in the person of Abraham, was tithed by Melchisedec.
Cu. VIL] THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 459
As | may say (@s ézros eimeiv). = 80 to speak. N. T.°. °LXX. . Introducing an unusual statement, or one which may appear paradoxical or startling to the reader, as this statement certainly is, to a modern reader at least.
In Abraham (6? ’ASpadpu). Lit. through Abraham.