Charles Ellicott Commentary


Charles Ellicott Commentary
"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)
Gave a tenth part—Literally, divided a tenth. This point is fully discussed in Hebrews 7:4-9.
King of righteousness—Josephus notes the significance of this name: “The first founder of Jerusalem was a chief of the Canaanites, who in our tongue is called Righteous King; for indeed such he was.” Philo also interprets King of Salem as “King of Peace.”
The special interest of these titles for the writer lies in the application to Jesus the Messiah (Isaiah 9:6–7; Isaiah 32:1; Jeremiah 23:5–6; Zechariah 9:9; Ephesians 2:14). On this, as obvious to every Christian reader, he does not further dwell.