Hebrews 7 · Verse 4

Hebrews 7:4

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

Hebrews 7:4 in other translations

BSBConsider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.
WEBNow consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth out of the best plunder.
ASVNow consider how great this man was, unto whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the chief spoils.
YLTAnd see how great this one is, to whom also a tenth Abraham the patriarch did give out of the best of the spoils,
DARBYNow consider how great this personage was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth out of the spoils.
BBENow see how great this man was, to whom our father Abraham gave a tenth part of what he had got in the fight.
WebsterNow consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

What does Hebrews 7:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. 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 He 7:3, on Melchisedec's superiority as specially consecrated king-priest, above the other patriarch-priests.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 4 Now consider how great this man was. The object of the apostle was to exalt the rank and dignity of Melchizedek. The Jews had a profound veneration for Abraham; and if it could be shown that Melchizedek was superior to Abraham, then it would be easy to demonstrate the superiority of Christ, as a priest, to all who descended from Abraham. Accordingly he argues, that he to whom even the patriarch Abraham showed so much respect, must have had an exalted rank. Abraham, according to the views of the East, the illustrious ancestor of the Jewish nation, was regarded as superior to any of his posterity, and of course was to be considered as of higher rank and dignity than the Levitical priests, who were descended from him.

Even the patriarch Abraham. One so great as he is acknowledged to have been. On the word patriarch, Acts 2:29. It occurs only in Acts 2:29, 7:8,9, and in this place.

Gave the tenth of the spoils. Heb 7:2. The argument here is, that Abraham acknowledged the superiority of Melchizedek by thus devoting the usual part of the spoils of war, or of what was possessed, to God by his hands, as the priest of the Most High. Instead of making a direct consecration by himself, he brought them to him as a minister of religion, and recognised in him one who had a higher official standing in the matter of religion than himself. The Greek word rendered spoils--ακροθινιον--means, literally, the top of the heap, from ακρον, top, and θιν, heap. The Greeks were accustomed, after a battle, to collect the spoils together, and throw them into a pile, and then, before they were distributed, to take off a portion from the top, and devote it to the gods, Xen. Cyro. vii. 6, 36; Herod. i. 86, 90; viii. 121, 122; Dion. Hal. ii. In like manner it was customary to place the harvest in a heap; and, as the first thing, to take off a portion from the top to consecrate as a thank-offering to God. The word then came to denote the first-fruits which were offered to God, and then the best of the spoils of battle. It has that sense here, and denotes the spoils or plunder which Abraham had taken of the discomfited kings.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Hebrews 7:4-10
That High Priest who should afterward appear, of whom Melchizedec was a type, must be much superior to the Levitical priests. Observe Abraham's great dignity and happiness; that he had the promises. That man is rich and happy indeed, who has the promises, both of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This honour have all those who receive the Lord Jesus. Let us go forth in our spiritual conflicts, trusting in his word and strength, ascribing our victories to his grace, and desiring to be met and blessed by him in all our ways.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Hebrews 7:4 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΘεωρεῖτεTheōreitedo considerG2334
δὲdenowG1161
πηλίκοςpēlikoshow greatG4080
οὗτος,houtosthis one [was],G3778
ᾧhōto whomG3739
καὶkaievenG2532
δεκάτηνdekatēna tenthG1182
ἈβραὰμAbraamAbrahamG11
ἔδωκενedōkengaveG1325
ἐκekout ofG1537
τῶνtōntheG3588
ἀκροθινίωνakrothiniōnbest spoilsG205
ὁhotheG3588
πατριάρχης.patriarchēspatriarch.G3966

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Hebrews 7:4

  • Genesis 14:20

    And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

  • Acts 2:29

    Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

  • Genesis 17:5-6

    Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

  • Genesis 12:2

    And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

  • Acts 7:8-9

    And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

  • Galatians 3:28-29

    There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

  • James 2:23

    And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

  • Romans 4:17-18

    (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

  • Romans 4:11-13

    And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the patriarch.
Ac 2:29; 7:8,9
Abraham.
Ge 12:2; 17:5,6; Ro 4:11-13,17,18; Ga 3:28,29; Jas 2:23
gave.
Ge 14:20

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Hebrews 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.

  • Hebrews 7:4

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

  • Hebrews 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:

Read all of Hebrews 7

Hebrews 7:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mirad pues cuán grande fué éste, al cual aun Abraham el patriarca dió diezmos de los despojos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Mais considérez combien grand était celui à qui même Abraham donna une dîme du butin, lui le patriarche.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Schauet aber, wie groß dieser war, welchem selbst Abraham, der Patriarch, den Zehnten von der Beute gab.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Intuemini autem quantus sit hic, cui et decimas dedit de præcipuis Abraham patriarcha.