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Melchizedek and Abraham
Hebrews 7:1–10 explains why Melchizedek is important in this letter. The writer uses Abraham’s actions, Melchizedek’s titles, and the ideas of tithes and blessing to argue that Melchizedek’s priesthood is greater than the Levitical priesthood.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This teaching passage focuses on what is said about Melchizedek and Abraham. It names Melchizedek as king and priest, notes that Abraham gave him a tenth and received his blessing, and then compares that with the way priests from Levi receive tithes according to the law.
Hebrews 7:1–10Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Melchizedek is presented as greater than Abraham, and so greater than the Levitical priesthood that came through Abraham.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Melchizedek blesses AbrahamThe passage begins by naming Melchizedek as king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him.
Explanation
The passage begins by naming Melchizedek as king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him. These details present Melchizedek as both royal and priestly, and they draw attention to his action toward Abraham: he gave Abraham a blessing.
02His name and description matterAbraham gave Melchizedek a tenth part of all. The writer explains Melchizedek’s name as “king of righteousness” and Salem as “king of peace”.
Explanation
Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth part of all. The writer explains Melchizedek’s name as “king of righteousness” and Salem as “king of peace”. He is also described as without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, and as made like the Son of God, remaining a priest continually.
03Abraham’s gift shows Melchizedek’s greatnessThe readers are told to consider how great Melchizedek was, because even Abraham the patriarch gave him a tenth from the best plunder.
Explanation
The readers are told to consider how great Melchizedek was, because even Abraham the patriarch gave him a tenth from the best plunder. The comparison then moves to Levi’s sons, who receive tithes from their brothers according to the law, even though those brothers also come from Abraham.
04Tithes and blessing build the argumentMelchizedek, whose genealogy is not counted from Levi, accepted tithes from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.
Explanation
Melchizedek, whose genealogy is not counted from Levi, accepted tithes from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. The writer says the lesser is blessed by the greater. Hebrews 7:8 adds that “here” mortal people receive tithes, but “there” the one receiving them is testified to live, strengthening the contrast in Melchizedek’s favour. So the writer can say that even Levi paid tithes through Abraham.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What details in the passage show that the writer wants us to think carefully about Melchizedek’s greatness?
Look for Abraham giving a tenth, Melchizedek blessing Abraham, and the direct instruction to “consider how great this man was”.
02How does the passage use blessing to compare Melchizedek and Abraham?
Follow the statement that Melchizedek blessed Abraham and then the rule that the lesser is blessed by the greater.
03Why does the writer say Levi also paid tithes through Abraham?
Notice the argument that Levi was still in the body of his father when Melchizedek met Abraham.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Hebrews 7:1–10
1For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
2to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, “king of righteousness”, and then also “king of Salem”, which means “king of peace”,
3without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God), remains a priest continually.
4Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth out of the best plunder.
5They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham,
6but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises.
7But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.
8Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives.
9We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,
10for he was yet in the body of his father when Melchizedek met him.