As you know, this whole chapter speaks about Melchisedec, king of Salem & priest of God, of whom there was no record of his birth, his family or end of life. He is portrayed as a type to which Jesus is ascribed: an eternal Priest. Then the chapter goes on to speak of tithes that he received from Abraham. And this showed that by his position, Melchisedec was greater than Abraham even though he was not from the tribe of Levi, & would not normally be in a position to receive tithes. But Abraham recognized him to be of a greater position than he & so gave him a tenth of his spoils.
So verse 7, "And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better." And this means that this position shows without dispute that the less (Abraham) was blessed by the better (Melchisedec) & not the other way around as one could assume.
Verse 8, "And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth." So the Hebrews writer states that the 'men who die' (i.e. of the Levitical priesthood) are authorized to receive tithes, but in the priesthood of Melchisedec (i.e. not from Levi), he could receive tithes, & of him it is declared that he lives 'eternally' (as presumed). So a special case here of a non-Levitical priest receiving tithes also showed the Priesthood of Jesus, also not of Levi.
So the focus of these verses is not Melchisedec, but on Jesus Who is seen as his type, coming in the "order of Melchisedec". When Jesus came, the law pertaining to the priesthood changed; as the priests served at the Tabernacle/Temple, this Priest (Jesus) came to serve the people & give His Life for them. Even though the Levitical priesthood continued, it served no further purpose anymore before God as Jesus came as both Priest & Offering. Those other priests eventually died, but our Great High Priest lives on eternally.
Daughter of the Most High - In Reply on Mark 1 - 3 years ago
Amen!!!Glory to God for your response! I do not get it much, as though I am new to this, but I love the observation that you made! So basically, you're saying that Abraham not being greater than Melsc... Right? And related that to Jesus as being the priest and offering instead of the ones back then, right?
It's gratifying to read of your interest in this subject; the whole Book of Hebrews is so very special as it shows us the beauty of Christ Jesus & His superiority over the prophets, angels, Moses & in His (Jesus') Priesthood. Keep reading the Word of God & keep enquiring into its richness - it is God's Message for you to build you up & encourage you.
So, in this respect of what the Hebrews writer has given, Abraham is seen as not greater than Melchisedec. And this was shown by the fact that Abraham gave Melchisedec a tenth of the spoils of war, when in fact such an act would be reserved to giving them to the priests. Yet, there was no official priesthood then, as Levi (from whom the priesthood came) was not born, but in the olden days, the kings also sometimes served as priests. In this instance, Melchisedec was a king in Canaan & even though not having any heritage to a godly line, was still a man of God, we understand, whom God had blessed & endowed to specially serve his people. Abraham's coming to him after the war, prompted Melchisedec to give Abraham & his troop food & in return Abraham paid tithes to him. Genesis 14:18. So in this respect, Abraham, though the Father of many nations, was lesser in status to Melchisedec, who pointed to a greater King & Priest.
And because there was no record of Melchisedec's family heritage, nor of his birth & death, the Hebrews writer uses him to show that Jesus comes as his type, rather than from the Levitical priesthood. Even though Melchisedec was a man who still had a history, the knowledge we have of him, shows Jesus as his type: not from a line of priests; no descendants in his office as Priest; no commencement or close of his office as Priest. What is said of Jesus: He "hath an unchangeable priesthood" ( Hebrews 7:24), & because of this & His Perfection & Holiness, Jesus is able "to save (all people) to the uttermost that come to God by Him" (verse 25). That is, this Priest Jesus also became the Offering for mankind.
So verse 7, "And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better." And this means that this position shows without dispute that the less (Abraham) was blessed by the better (Melchisedec) & not the other way around as one could assume.
Verse 8, "And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth." So the Hebrews writer states that the 'men who die' (i.e. of the Levitical priesthood) are authorized to receive tithes, but in the priesthood of Melchisedec (i.e. not from Levi), he could receive tithes, & of him it is declared that he lives 'eternally' (as presumed). So a special case here of a non-Levitical priest receiving tithes also showed the Priesthood of Jesus, also not of Levi.
So the focus of these verses is not Melchisedec, but on Jesus Who is seen as his type, coming in the "order of Melchisedec". When Jesus came, the law pertaining to the priesthood changed; as the priests served at the Tabernacle/Temple, this Priest (Jesus) came to serve the people & give His Life for them. Even though the Levitical priesthood continued, it served no further purpose anymore before God as Jesus came as both Priest & Offering. Those other priests eventually died, but our Great High Priest lives on eternally.
So, in this respect of what the Hebrews writer has given, Abraham is seen as not greater than Melchisedec. And this was shown by the fact that Abraham gave Melchisedec a tenth of the spoils of war, when in fact such an act would be reserved to giving them to the priests. Yet, there was no official priesthood then, as Levi (from whom the priesthood came) was not born, but in the olden days, the kings also sometimes served as priests. In this instance, Melchisedec was a king in Canaan & even though not having any heritage to a godly line, was still a man of God, we understand, whom God had blessed & endowed to specially serve his people. Abraham's coming to him after the war, prompted Melchisedec to give Abraham & his troop food & in return Abraham paid tithes to him. Genesis 14:18. So in this respect, Abraham, though the Father of many nations, was lesser in status to Melchisedec, who pointed to a greater King & Priest.
And because there was no record of Melchisedec's family heritage, nor of his birth & death, the Hebrews writer uses him to show that Jesus comes as his type, rather than from the Levitical priesthood. Even though Melchisedec was a man who still had a history, the knowledge we have of him, shows Jesus as his type: not from a line of priests; no descendants in his office as Priest; no commencement or close of his office as Priest. What is said of Jesus: He "hath an unchangeable priesthood" ( Hebrews 7:24), & because of this & His Perfection & Holiness, Jesus is able "to save (all people) to the uttermost that come to God by Him" (verse 25). That is, this Priest Jesus also became the Offering for mankind.
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