A.T. Robertson Commentary Hebrews 7
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Hebrews 7
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Hebrews 7
"For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him," — Hebrews 7:1 (ASV)
This Melchizedek (ουτος ο Μελχισεδεκ). The one already mentioned several times with whose priesthood that of Christ is compared and which is older and of a higher type than that of Aaron. See Ge 14:18-20; Psalms 110 for the only account of Melchizedek in the Old Testament. It is a daring thing to put Melchizedek above Aaron, but the author does it. Moffatt calls verses 1-3 "a little sermon" on 6:20. It is "for ever" (εις τον αιωνα) that he explains. Melchizedek is the only one in his line and stands alone in the record in Genesis. The interpretation is rabbinical in method, but well adapted to Jewish readers. The description is taken verbatim from Genesis except that "who met" (ο συναντησας) is here applied to Melchizedek from Ge 14:17 instead of to the King of Sodom. They both met Abraham as a matter of fact. For this verb (first aorist active participle of συνανταω) see Lu 9:37.
Slaughter (κοπης). Old word for cutting (κοπτω, to cut), here only in N.T. These kings were Amraphel, Arioch, Chedorlaomer, Tidal. Amraphel is usually taken to be Khammurabi.
Priest of God Most High (ιερευς του θεου του υψιστου). He is called "priest" and note του υψιστου applied to God as the Canaanites, Phoenicians, Hebrews did. It is used also of Zeus and the Maccabean priest-kings. The demons apply it to God (Luke 8:28).
"to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is King of peace;" — Hebrews 7:2 (ASV)
A tenth (δεκατην). It was common to offer a tenth of the spoils to the gods. So Abraham recognized Melchizedek as a priest of God.
Divided (εμερισεν). First aorist active of μεριζω, from μερος (portion), to separate into parts. From this point till near the end of verse 3 (the Son of God) is a long parenthesis with ουτος of verse 1 as the subject of μενε (abideth) as the Revised Version punctuates it. Philo had made popular the kind of exegesis used here. The author gives in Greek the meaning of the Hebrew words Melchizedek (King of righteousness, cf. 1:8) and Salem (peace).
"without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God), abideth a priest continually." — Hebrews 7:3 (ASV)
Without father, without mother, without genealogy (απατωρ, αμητωρ, αγενεαλογητος). Alliteration like Ro 1:30, the first two old words, the third coined by the author (found nowhere else) and meaning simply "devoid of any genealogy." The argument is that from silence, made much of by Philo, but not to be pressed. The record in Genesis tells nothing of any genealogy. Melchizedek stands alone. He is not to be understood as a miraculous being without birth or death. Melchizedek has been made more mysterious than he is by reading into this interpretation what is not there.
Made like (αφωμοιωμενος). Perfect passive participle of αφομοιοω, old verb, to produce a facsimile or copy, only here in N.T. The likeness is in the picture drawn in Genesis, not in the man himself. Such artificial interpretation does not amount to proof, but only serves as a parallel or illustration.
Unto the Son of God (τω υιω του θεου). Associative instrumental case of υιος.
Abideth a priest (μενε ιερευς). According to the record in Genesis, the only one in his line just as Jesus stands alone, but with the difference that Jesus continues priest in fact in heaven.
Continually (εις το διηνεκες). Old phrase (for the continuity) like εις τον αιωνα, in N.T. only in Hebrews (7:3; 10:1,14,21).
"Now consider how great this man was, unto whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the chief spoils." — Hebrews 7:4 (ASV)
How great (πηλικος). Geometrical magnitude in contrast to arithmetical (ποσος), here only in N.T., "how distinguished." He received tithes from Abraham (verses 4-) and he blessed Abraham and even Levi is included (verses 8-10).
Out of the chief spoils (εκ των ακροθινιων). Old word from ακρος, top, and θις, a heap (the top of the pile).
Patriarch (πατριαρχης). LXX word (πατρια, tribe, αρχω, to rule) transferred to N.T. (Acts 2:29).
"And they indeed of the sons of Levi that receive the priest`s office have commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though these have come out of the loins of Abraham:" — Hebrews 7:5 (ASV)
The priest's office (την ιερατειαν). LXX and Koine word from ιερευς, in N.T. only here and Lu 1:9.
To take tithes (αποδεκατοιν). Present active infinitive (in -οιν, not -ουν, as the best MSS. give it) of αποδεκατοω a LXX word (απο, δεκατοω), to take a tenth from (απο).
Brethren (αδελφους). Accusative case in apposition with λαον (people) unaffected by the explanatory phrase τουτ' εστιν (that is).
Though come out (καιπερ εξεληλυθοτας). Concessive participle (cf. 5:8) with καιπερ (perfect active of εξερχομα).
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