v is first fruits, or arms, clothes, the first fruits of spoils : axpodivlov, the first fruits of Qivsg, and dives are heaps of wheat or barley; or any first fruits whatever." — 6 ^arpidp^s, the patriarch) He highly praises Abraham, that Melchisedec may be made the greater. The patriarch is even greater than a king, as being the progenitor of kings.
5. Tbv Xabv, the people) An abbreviated expression, to be re solved into a subject and predicate consisting each of two members. The priests (and Levites) tithe (the Levites and) the people} Num. xviii. 21, 26; Neh. x. 38. So the style of Paul admits, Rom. v. 16, note. — xstra rbv VO/AOV) according to or in the law, ch. ix. 19. — adsh<pov$, brethren) with whom, they are of the same natural condition. To these, however, are preferred the Levites; to these latter, the priests ; to these again, Abraham : to Abra ham is preferred Melchisedec.
6. 'Eg a,v<ruv)from them, as he was more ancient even than they.
— xai, and) This verse has two propositions, of which the expla nation precedes the first, follows the second : Chiasmus. And at the same time this second point — the superiority of Melchisedec to Abraham — namely, the blessing, is conveniently connected with the former point concerning tithes, because its description is afterwards completed. — rbv $%ovra, who had) This both increases Abraham's dignity, and intimates that even the posterity, who had been then already promised to Abraham, would yield the superiority to Melchisedec. — rac, JcrayyeX/aj, the promises) plural. Where Christ is the subject, it is called the promise : promises refer to other things. Already GOD had twice promised to Abraham, Gen. xii. 2, xiii. 15, before the blessing of Melchisedec.
— e\j\6ryq%s, blessed) The blessing which the priests pronounced on the people, is also by implication contained in the Protasis con cerning the Levitical priests.
7. EuXoys/ra/, receives the blessing) namely, if the blessing be given, for instance, with sacerdotal authority.
8. Maprvpovpsvos) He of whom it is witnessed (Who was honoured with the testimony). — 6V/ £5j, that He liveth) The death of Melchisedec is not mentioned in the Old Testament. That circumstance is positively expressed by the term, life, for the sake of the Apodosis, respecting Christ.
9. 'fis *vos e/Ve/v) When, in the explanation of any subject