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The NET Bible®

Hebrews 7:2

To him also Abraham apportioned a tithe of everything . His name first means king of righteousness, then king of Salem , that is, king of peace.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Abraham;   Melchizedek;   Priest;   Succession;   Tithes;   Types;   Scofield Reference Index - Sacrifice;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Types of Christ;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Melchizedek;   Priest;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Abraham;   Melchizedek;   Priest;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Fulfillment;   Priest, Christ as;   Worship;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Covenant;   Offices of Christ;   Preaching;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Salem;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Heaven;   Hebrews, the Epistle to the;   Jerusalem;   Melchizedek;   Patriarchs;   Salem;   Tithes;   Zechariah, the Book of;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Christ, Christology;   Hebrews;   Salem;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Hebrews, Epistle to;   Melchizedek;   Quotations;   Tithes;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Hebrews Epistle to the;   Interpretation;   Mediator;   Melchizedek;   Peace;   Priest (2);   Righteous, Righteousness;   Righteousness;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Melchisedec, Melchizedek ;   Salem ;   Tithes;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Shulamite;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Paul;   Salem;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Sa'lem;   Tithe;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Armour;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Jerusalem;   Melchizedek;   Prophecy;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Melchizedek;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Hebrews, Epistle to the;   King, Christ as;   Melchizedek;   Priest, High;   Salem (1);  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means king of righteousness, then also, king of Salem, meaning king of peace.
King James Version (1611)
To whom also Abraham gaue a tenth part of all: first being by interpretation king of righteousnesse, and after that also king of Salem, which is, king of peace.
King James Version
To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
English Standard Version
and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.
New American Standard Bible
to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace.
New Century Version
and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything he had brought back from the battle. First, Melchizedek's name means "king of goodness," and he is king of Salem, which means "king of peace."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace.
Legacy Standard Bible
to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace.
Berean Standard Bible
and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means "king of righteousness." Then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace."
Contemporary English Version
Then Abraham gave him a tenth of everything he had. The meaning of the name Melchizedek is "King of Justice." But since Salem means "peace," he is also "King of Peace."
Complete Jewish Bible
also Avraham gave him a tenth of everything . Now first of all, by translation of his name, he is "king of righteousness"; and then he is also king of Shalem , which means "king of peace."
Darby Translation
to whom Abraham gave also the tenth portion of all; first being interpreted King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is King of peace;
Easy-to-Read Version
Then Abraham gave him a tenth of everything he had. The name Melchizedek, king of Salem, has two meanings. First, Melchizedek means "king of justice." And "king of Salem" means "king of peace."
Geneva Bible (1587)
To whom also Abraham gaue the tithe of all things: who first is by interpretation King of righteousnes: after that, he is also King of Salem, that is, King of peace,
George Lamsa Translation
And to whom A''bra-ham also set aside a tenth part from the choice things he had with him. His name is interpreted King of righteousness, and again, King of Salem, which means King of peace.
Good News Translation
and Abraham gave him one tenth of all he had taken. (The first meaning of Melchizedek's name is "King of Righteousness"; and because he was king of Salem, his name also means "King of Peace.")
Lexham English Bible
to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth of everything—in the first place, his name is translated "king of righteousness," and then also "king of Salem," that is, "king of peace";
Literal Translation
to whom also Abraham "divided a tenth from all" (first being interpreted, king of righteousness; and then also king of Salem, which is, king of peace, Gen. 14:17-20
Amplified Bible
and Abraham gave him a tenth of all [the spoil]. He is, first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, which means king of peace.
American Standard Version
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;
Bible in Basic English
And to whom Abraham gave a tenth part of everything which he had, being first named King of righteousness, and then in addition, King of Salem, that is to say, King of peace;
Hebrew Names Version
to whom also Avraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, King of righteousness, and then also King of Shalem, which is King of shalom;
International Standard Version
To him Abraham gave a tenth of everything.Genesis 14:18-20">[fn] In the first place, his name means "king of righteousness," and then he is also king of Salem, that is, "king of peace."
Etheridge Translation
And to him Abraham separated the tenth from every thing which he had with him. Now his name, being expounded, (is,) the King of Righteousness; and again, MalekSholem, which is, King of peace:
Murdock Translation
And to him Abraham imparted tithes of all that he had with him. Moreover his name is interpreted king of righteousness; and again [fn] King of Salem, that is King of Peace.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
To whom also Abraham gaue tythe of all thynges, first being called by interpretatio king of righteousnes, & after yt also, kyng of Salem, which is, kyng of peace.
English Revised Version
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;
World English Bible
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;
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all the spoils; being by interpretation, first king of righteousness, and then king of Salem also, which is king of peace;
Weymouth's New Testament
to whom also Abraham presented a tenth part of all--being first, as his name signifies, King of righteousness, and secondly King of Salem, that is, King of peace:
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
to whom also Abraham departide tithis of alle thingis; first he is seid king of riytwisnesse, and aftirward kyng of Salem, that is to seie, king of pees,
Update Bible Version
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;
Webster's Bible Translation
To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
New King James Version
to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated "king of righteousness," and then also king of Salem, meaning "king of peace,"
New Living Translation
Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means "king of justice," and king of Salem means "king of peace."
New Life Bible
Abraham gave Melchizedek one-tenth part of all he had. Melchizedek's name means king of what is right. Salem means peace. So he is king of peace.
New Revised Standard
and to him Abraham apportioned "one-tenth of everything." His name, in the first place, means "king of righteousness"; next he is also king of Salem, that is, "king of peace."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
To whom even a tenth of all Abraham apportioned, first, indeed, when translated, King of Righteousness, but, after that, King of Salem also, which is King of Peace, -
Douay-Rheims Bible
To whom also Abraham divided the tithes of all: who first indeed by interpretation is king of justice: and then also king of Salem, that is, king of peace:
Revised Standard Version
and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
to whom also Abraham gave tythes of all thynges) fyrst is by interpretacion kynge of rightewesnes: after yt he is kynge of Sale yt is to saye kynge of peace
Young's Literal Translation
to whom also a tenth of all did Abraham divide, (first, indeed, being interpreted, `King of righteousness,' and then also, King of Salem, which is, King of Peace,)
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
vnto whom Abraham also gaue tithes of all the goodes) first is by interpretacion kynge of righteousnes: after that is he kynge of Salem also (that is to saye, kynge of peace)
Mace New Testament (1729)
to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of the whole booty: first, being by the signification of his name king of justice, and in fact king of Salem, which is, king of peace;
Simplified Cowboy Version
Abraham was so moved by the blessing that he gave Mel ten percent of all the plunder he'd taken from the outlaw rulers. The very name, Melchizedek, means "king of justice" and Salem means "king of peace."

Contextual Overview

1 Now this Melchizedek , king of Salem , priest of the most high God , met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him . 2 To him also Abraham apportioned a tithe of everything . His name first means king of righteousness, then king of Salem , that is, king of peace. 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, he has neither beginning of days nor end of life but is like the son of God, and he remains a priest for all time. 4 But see how great he must be, if Abraham the patriarch gave him a tithe of his plunder. 5 And those of the sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have authorization according to the law to collect a tithe from the people, that is, from their fellow countrymen, although they too are descendants of Abraham. 6 But Melchizedek who does not share their ancestry collected a tithe from Abraham and blessed the one who possessed the promise. 7 Now without dispute the inferior is blessed by the superior, 8 and in one case tithes are received by mortal men, while in the other by him who is affirmed to be alive. 9 And it could be said that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid a tithe through Abraham. 10 For he was still in his ancestor Abraham's loins when Melchizedek met him.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

a tenth: Genesis 28:22, Leviticus 27:32, Numbers 18:21, 1 Samuel 8:15, 1 Samuel 8:17

King of righteousness: 2 Samuel 8:15, 2 Samuel 23:3, 1 Kings 4:24, 1 Kings 4:25, 1 Chronicles 22:9, Psalms 45:4-7, Psalms 72:1-3, Psalms 72:7, Psalms 85:10, Psalms 85:11, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 9:7, Isaiah 32:1, Isaiah 32:2, Isaiah 45:22-25, Jeremiah 23:5, Jeremiah 23:6, Jeremiah 33:15, Jeremiah 33:16, Micah 5:5, Luke 2:14, Romans 3:26, Romans 5:1, Romans 5:2, Ephesians 2:14-18

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:18 - king Psalms 76:2 - Salem Song of Solomon 6:13 - Shulamite Isaiah 42:6 - called Ezekiel 37:25 - and my Zechariah 4:14 - These John 14:27 - Peace I leave John 16:33 - in me John 20:19 - Peace Acts 2:30 - knowing Acts 10:36 - preaching 2 Thessalonians 3:16 - the Lord of 1 John 2:29 - he is 1 John 3:7 - even Revelation 19:11 - and in

Cross-References

Genesis 7:1
The Lord said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, for I consider you godly among this generation.
Genesis 7:8
Pairs of clean animals, of unclean animals, of birds, and of everything that creeps along the ground,
Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month—on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst open and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.
Genesis 7:15
Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life came into the ark to Noah.
Genesis 7:19
The waters completely inundated the earth so that even all the high mountains under the entire sky were covered.
Genesis 7:21
And all living things that moved on the earth died, including the birds, domestic animals, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all humankind.
Genesis 8:20
Noah built an altar to the Lord . He then took some of every kind of clean animal and clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
Leviticus 10:10
as well as to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean,
Ezekiel 44:23
Moreover, they will teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the ceremonially unclean and the clean.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all,.... Or tithes, as in Genesis 14:20. Philo the Jew b renders the Hebrew phrase, מעשר מכל, just as the apostle does δεκατην απο παντων, "a tenth part of all", or "out of all"; not of all that he brought back, as Lot's goods, or the king of Sodom's, or any others; only of the spoils of the enemy, as in Hebrews 7:4 which is no proof of any obligation on men to pay tithes now to any order of men; for this was a voluntary act, and not what any law obliged to; it was done but once, and not constantly, or every year; it was out of the spoils of the enemy, and not out of his own substance, or of the increase of the earth; nor was it for the maintenance of Melchizedek, as a priest, who also was a king, and was richly provided for; but to testify his gratitude to God, for the victory obtained, and his reverence of, and subjection to the priest of God.

First being by interpretation king of righteousness; or a "righteous king", as Melchizedek was; not the king of a righteous place, as Aben Ezra thought, a place wherein dwelt righteousness, or righteous persons; but it was his proper name, which so signifies, and in which he was a type of Christ; who is righteous, not only as God, and as man, and as Mediator, but particularly in the administration of his kingly office: his kingdom lies in righteousness, as well as peace; the subjects of it are righteous persons, and all his ways are just and true; his Gospel, by which he rules, is a declaration of righteousness; and he himself is the author of righteousness to all his people:

and after that also king of Salem, which is king of peace; and may respect his peaceable government; and is very applicable to Christ, the Prince of peace; whose kingdom is a kingdom of peace; his sceptre is a sceptre of peace; his royal proclamation is the Gospel of peace; and his subjects are the sons of peace; and he himself is the author of peace, not only between Jew and Gentile, but between God and his people; and he is the donor of peace, external, internal, and eternal. So Philo the Jew c interprets this name, "king of peace", just as the apostle does.

b De Congressu, p. 438. c Leg. Alleg. l. 2. p. 75.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all - That is, a tenth part of all the spoils which he had taken Genesis 14:20, thus acknowledging that in dignity of office Melchizedek was greatly his superior; Hebrews 7:4, Hebrews 7:6, Hebrews 7:8. This does not appear to have been on the part of Abraham so much designed as a present to Melchizedek personally, as an act of pious thankfulness to God. He doubtless recognized in Melchizedek one who was a minister of God, and to him as such he devoted the tenth of all which he had taken, as a proper acknowledgment of the goodness of God and of his claims. From this it is evident that the propriety of devoting a tenth part of what was possessed to God, was regarded as a duty before the appointment of the Levitical law. “Some” expression of this kind is obviously demanded, and piety seems early to have fixed on the “tenth” part as being no more than a proper proportion to consecrate to the service of religion. For the propriety of the use which the apostle makes of this fact, see the notes on Hebrews 7:4, Hebrews 7:6, Hebrews 7:8.

First being - The “first” idea in the interpretation of his name and office, etc. First being mentioned as king of righteousness, and then as king of peace.

King of righteousness - The literal translation of the name Melchizedek; see the notes on ver. 1. The “argument” implied in this by the remarks of the apostle is, that he bore a name which made him a proper emblem of the Messiah. There was a propriety that one in whose “order” the Messiah was to be found, should have such a name. It would be exactly descriptive of him, and it was “worthy of observation” that he of whose “order” it was said the Messiah would be, should have had such a name. Paul does not say that this name was given to him with any such reference; or that it was “designed” to be symbolical of what the Messiah would be, but that there was a “remarkable coincidence;” that it was a fact which was worth at least “a passing thought.” This is a kind of remark that might occur to anyone to make, and where the slight use which Paul makes of it would not be improper anywhere; but it cannot be denied that to one accustomed to the Jewish mode of reasoning - accustomed to dwell much on hidden meanings, and to trace out concealed analogies, it would be much more obvious and striking than it is with us.

We are to place ourselves in the situation of those to whom Paul wrote - trained up with Jewish feelings, and Jewish modes of thought, and to ask how this would strike “their” minds. And this is no more unreasonable than it would be in interpreting a Greek classic, or a work of a Hindu philosopher, that we should endeavor to place ourselves in the situation of the writer and of those for whom he wrote, and ascertain what ideas would be conveyed to them by certain expressions. It is not meant by these observations that there was really no intrinsic force in what Paul here said respecting the import of the “name.” There was force; and all the use which he makes of it is proper. His meaning appears to be merely that it was a fact worthy of remark, that the “name” had a meaning which corresponded so entirely with the character of him who was to be a high priest of the same “order.” “And after that.” He is mentioned after that with another appellation equally significant.

King of peace - A literal translation of the appellation “king of Salem;” Hebrews 7:1. The idea of Paul is, that it was “worthy of remark” that the appellation which he bore was appropriate to one whose ministry it was said the priesthood of the Messiah would resemble.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Hebrews 7:2. Gave a tenth part of all — It was an ancient custom, among all the nations of the earth, to consecrate a part or tenth of the spoils taken in war to the objects of their worship. Many examples of this kind occur. This however was not according to any provision in law, but merely ad libitum, and as a eucharistic offering to those to whom they imagined they owed the victory. But neither Abraham's decimation, nor theirs, had any thing to do, either with tithes as prescribed under the Mosaic dispensation, or as claimed under the Christian.


 
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