Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, July 19th, 2025
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
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Bible Commentaries
Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament Robertson's Word Pictures
Copyright Statement
The Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament. Copyright © Broadman Press 1932,33, Renewal 1960. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Broadman Press (Southern Baptist Sunday School Board)
The Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament. Copyright © Broadman Press 1932,33, Renewal 1960. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Broadman Press (Southern Baptist Sunday School Board)
Bibliographical Information
Robertson, A.T. "Commentary on Hebrews 7". "Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament". https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/rwp/hebrews-7.html. Broadman Press 1932,33. Renewal 1960.
Robertson, A.T. "Commentary on Hebrews 7". "Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament". https://studylight.org/
Whole Bible (51)New Testament (19)Individual Books (14)
Verse 1
This Melchizedek (Î¿Ï ÏÎ¿Ï Î¿ ÎελÏιÏεδεκ). 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 Genesis 14:18-20; Genesis 14:110 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 Hebrews 7:1-3 "a little sermon" on Hebrews 6:20. It is "for ever" (ÎµÎ¹Ï Ïον αιÏνα) 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 ÏÏ Î½Î±Î½ÏηÏαÏ) is here applied to Melchizedek from Genesis 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 ÏÏ Î½Î±Î½ÏαÏ) see Luke 9:37.
Slaughter (κοÏηÏ). Old word for cutting (κοÏÏÏ, 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 (ιεÏÎµÏ Ï ÏÎ¿Ï Î¸ÎµÎ¿Ï ÏÎ¿Ï Ï ÏιÏÏÎ¿Ï ). He is called "priest" and note ÏÎ¿Ï Ï ÏιÏÏÎ¿Ï 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 (Mark 5:7; Luke 8:28).
Verse 2
A tenth (δεκαÏην). It was common to offer a tenth of the spoils to the gods. So Abraham recognized Melchizedek as a priest of God.
Divided (εμεÏιÏεν). First aorist active of μεÏιζÏ, from μεÏÎ¿Ï (portion), to separate into parts. From this point till near the end of verse Hebrews 7:3 (the Son of God) is a long parenthesis with Î¿Ï ÏÎ¿Ï of verse Hebrews 7:1 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. Hebrews 1:8) and Salem (peace).
Verse 3
Without father, without mother, without genealogy (αÏαÏÏÏ, αμηÏÏÏ, αγενεαλογηÏοÏ). Alliteration like Romans 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 (αÏÏμοιÏμενοÏ). Perfect passive participle of αÏομοιοÏ, 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 (ÏÏ Ï Î¹Ï ÏÎ¿Ï Î¸ÎµÎ¿Ï ). Associative instrumental case of Ï Î¹Î¿Ï.
Abideth a priest (μενε ιεÏÎµÏ Ï). 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 (ÎµÎ¹Ï Ïο διηνεκεÏ). Old phrase (for the continuity) like ÎµÎ¹Ï Ïον αιÏνα, in N.T. only in Hebrews (Hebrews 7:3; Hebrews 10:1; Hebrews 10:14; Hebrews 10:21).
Verse 4
How great (ÏηλικοÏ). Geometrical magnitude in contrast to arithmetical (ÏοÏοÏ), here only in N.T., "how distinguished." He received tithes from Abraham (verses Hebrews 7:4-6) and he blessed Abraham (Hebrews 7:6) and even Levi is included (verses Hebrews 7:8-10).
Out of the chief spoils (εκ ÏÏν ακÏοθινιÏν). Old word from ακÏοÏ, top, and θιÏ, a heap (the top of the pile).
Patriarch (ÏαÏÏιαÏÏηÏ). LXX word (ÏαÏÏια, tribe, αÏÏÏ, to rule) transferred to N.T. (Acts 2:29).
Verse 5
The priest's office (Ïην ιεÏαÏειαν). LXX and Koine word from ιεÏÎµÏ Ï, in N.T. only here and Luke 1:9.
To take tithes (αÏοδεκαÏοιν). Present active infinitive (in -οιν, not -Î¿Ï Î½, as the best MSS. give it) of αÏοδεκαÏÎ¿Ï a LXX word (αÏο, δεκαÏοÏ), to take a tenth from (αÏο).
Brethren (αδελÏÎ¿Ï Ï). Accusative case in apposition with λαον (people) unaffected by the explanatory phrase ÏÎ¿Ï Ï' εÏÏιν (that is).
Though come out (καιÏÎµÏ ÎµÎ¾ÎµÎ»Î·Î»Ï Î¸Î¿ÏαÏ). Concessive participle (cf. Hebrews 5:8) with καιÏÎµÏ (perfect active of εξεÏÏομα).
Verse 6
He whose genealogy is not counted (ο μη Î³ÎµÎ½ÎµÎ±Î»Î¿Î³Î¿Ï Î¼ÎµÎ½Î¿Ï). Articular participle with negative μη (usual with participles) of the old verb Î³ÎµÎ½ÎµÎ±Î»Î¿Î³ÎµÏ trace ancestry (cf. verse Hebrews 7:3)
Hath taken tithes (δεδεκαÏÏκεν). Perfect active indicative of δεκαÏοÏ, standing on record in Genesis.
Hath blessed (ÎµÏ Î»Î¿Î³Î·ÎºÎµÎ½). Perfect active indicative of ÎµÏ Î»Î¿Î³ÎµÏ, likewise standing on record. Note the frequent perfect tenses in Hebrews.
Him that hath the promises (Ïον εÏονÏα ÏÎ±Ï ÎµÏαγγελιαÏ). Cf. Hebrews 6:12; Hebrews 6:13-15 for allusion to the repeated promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:3; Genesis 12:7; Genesis 13:14; Genesis 15:5; Genesis 17:5; Genesis 22:16-18).
Verse 7
Dispute (ανÏιλογιαÏ). Ablative case with ÏÏÏιÏ. For the word see Hebrews 6:16. The writer makes a parenthetical generalization and uses the article and neuter adjective (Ïο ελαÏÏον, the less, Ï Ïο ÏÎ¿Ï ÎºÏειÏÏονοÏ, by the better), a regular Greek idiom.
Verse 8
Here (Ïδε). In the Levitical system.
There (εκε). In the case of Melchizedek.
Of whom it is witnessed (μαÏÏÏ ÏÎ¿Ï Î¼ÎµÎ½Î¿Ï). "Being witnessed," present passive participle of μαÏÏÏ ÏÎµÏ (personal construction, not impersonal).
That he lives (Î¿Ï Î¶Î·). Present active indicative of ζαÏ). The Genesis record tells nothing of his death.
Verse 9
So to say (ÏÏ ÎµÏÎ¿Ï ÎµÎ¹Ïειν). An old idiom, here only in the N.T., common in Philo, used to limit a startling statement, an infinitive for conceived result with ÏÏ.
Hath paid tithes (δεδεκαÏÏÏα). Perfect passive indicative of δεκαÏοÏ, "has been tithed." This could only be true of Levi "so to speak."
Verse 10
In the loins of his father (εν Ïη οÏÏÏ ÏÎ¿Ï ÏαÏÏοÏ). Levi was not yet born. The reference is to Abraham, the forefather (ÏαÏÏοÏ) of Levi. This is a rabbinical imaginative refinement appealing to Jews.
Verse 11
Perfection (ÏελειÏÏιÏ). Abstract substantive of ÏελειοÏ. More the act than the quality or state (ÏελειοÏηÏ, Hebrews 6:1). The condition is of the second class, "if there were perfection, etc." The Levitical priesthood failed to give men "a perfectly adequate relation to God" (Moffatt).
Priesthood (ιεÏοÏÏ Î½Î·Ï). Old word, in N.T. only here, verses Hebrews 7:12; Hebrews 7:24. Cf. ιεÏεÏια in verse Hebrews 7:5. The adjective ÎÎµÏ ÎµÎ¹Ïικη occurs in Philo.
Received the law (νενομοθεÏηÏα). Perfect passive indicative of νομοθεÏεÏ, old compound to enact law (νομοÏ, Ïιθημ), to furnish with law (as here), only other N.T. example in Hebrews 8:6.
What further need was there? (ÏÎ¹Ï ÎµÏ ÏÏεια;). No copula expressed, but it would normally be ην αν, not just ην: "What need still would there be?"
Another priest (εÏεÏον ιεÏεα). Of a different line (εÏεÏον), not just one more (αλλον). Accusative of general reference with the infinitive ανιÏÏαÏθα (present middle of ανιÏÏημ intransitive).
And not to be reckoned (κα Î¿Ï Î»ÎµÎ³ÎµÏθα). The negative Î¿Ï belongs rather to the descriptive clause than just to the infinitive.
Verse 12
The priesthood being changed (μεÏαÏÎ¹Î¸ÎµÎ¼ÎµÎ½Î·Ï ÏÎ·Ï Î¹ÎµÏοÏÏ Î½Î·Ï). Genitive absolute with present passive participle of μεÏαÏιθημ, old word to transfer (Galatians 1:6).
A change (μεÏαθεÏιÏ). Old substantive from μεÏαÏιθημ. In N.T. only in Heb. (Hebrews 7:12; Hebrews 11:5; Hebrews 12:27). God's choice of another kind of priesthood for his Son, left the Levitical line off to one side, forever discounted, passed by "the order of Aaron" (Ïην Ïαξιν ÎαÏÏν).
Verse 13
Belongeth to another tribe (ÏÏ Î»Î·Ï ÎµÏεÏÎ±Ï Î¼ÎµÏεÏÏηκεν). See Hebrews 2:14 for μεÏεÏÏ, perfect active indicative here. A different (εÏεÏαÏ) tribe.
Hath given attendance at (ÏÏοÏεÏÏηκεν). Perfect active indicative (watch perfects in Hebrews, not "for" aorists) of ÏÏοÏεÏÏ, old verb, here with either Î½Î¿Ï Î½ (mind) or self (ÎµÎ±Ï Ïον) understood with dative case (ÏÏ Î¸Ï ÏιαÏÏηÏιÏ, the altar, for which word see Matthew 5:23; Luke 1:11).
Verse 14
It is evident (ÏÏοδηλον). Old compound adjective (ÏÏο, δηλοÏ), openly manifest to all, in N.T. only here and 1 Timothy 5:24.
Hath sprung (αναÏεÏαλκεν). Perfect active indicative of αναÏελλÏ, old compound to rise up like the sun (Matthew 5:45).
Verse 15
Yet more abundantly evident (ÏεÏιÏÏοÏεÏον ÎµÏ ÎºÎ±Ïαδηλον). Only N.T. instance of the old compound adjective καÏÎ±Î´Î·Î»Î¿Ï thoroughly clear with ÎµÏ (still) added and the comparative ÏεÏιÏÏοÏεÏον (more abundantly) piling Ossa on Pelion like Philippians 1:23.
Likeness (ομοιοÏηÏα). See Hebrews 4:15, only N.T. examples. Cf. the verb in verse Hebrews 7:3.
Ariseth another priest (ανιÏÏαÏα ιεÏÎµÏ Ï ÎµÏεÏοÏ). As said in verse Hebrews 7:11, now assumed in condition of first class.
Verse 16
Carnal (ÏαÏκινηÏ). "Fleshen" as in 1 Corinthians 3:1, not ÏαÏÎºÎ¹ÎºÎ·Ï (fleshlike, 1 Corinthians 3:3). The Levitical priests became so merely by birth.
Of an endless life (ζÏÎ·Ï Î±ÎºÎ±ÏÎ±Î»Ï ÏÎ¿Ï ). Late compound (alpha privative and verbal adjective from καÏÎ±Î»Ï Ï, to dissolve, as in 2 Corinthians 4:1), indissoluble. Jesus as priest lives on forever. He is Life.
Verse 17
It is witnessed (μαÏÏÏ ÏειÏα). Present passive indicative of μαÏÏÏ ÏεÏ. The author aptly quotes again Psalms 110:4.
Verse 18
A disannulling (αθεÏηÏιÏ). Late word from αθεÏÎµÏ (alpha privative and Ïιθημ), to set aside (Mark 6:26), in N.T. only here and Hebrews 9:26. Common in the papyri in a legal sense of making void. Involved in μεÏαθεÏÎ¹Ï (change in verse Hebrews 7:12).
Foregoing (ÏÏÎ¿Î±Î³Î¿Ï ÏηÏ). Present active participle of ÏÏοαγÏ, to go before (1 Timothy 1:18).
Because of its weakness (δια Ïο Î±Ï ÏÎ·Ï Î±ÏθενεÏ). Neuter abstract adjective with article for quality as in verse Hebrews 7:7 with δια and accusative case for reason.
Unprofitableness (ανÏÏελεÏ). Old compound (alpha privative and οÏελοÏ) useless, and neuter singular like αÏθενεÏ. In N.T. only here and Titus 3:9.
Verse 19
Made nothing perfect (Î¿Ï Î´ÎµÎ½ εÏελειÏÏεν). Another parenthesis. First aorist active indicative of ÏελειοÏ. See verse Hebrews 7:11. And yet law is necessary.
A bringing in thereupon (εÏειÏαγÏγη). An old double compound (εÏ, additional, ειÏαγÏγη, bringing in from ειÏαγÏ). Here only in N.T. Used by Josephus (Ant. XI. 6, 2) for the introduction of a new wife in place of the repudiated one.
Of a better hope (κÏειÏÏÎ¿Î½Î¿Ï ÎµÎ»ÏιδοÏ). This better hope (Hebrews 6:18-20) does bring us near to God (εγγιζομεν ÏÏ Î¸ÎµÏ) as we come close to God's throne through Christ (Hebrews 4:16).
Verse 20
Without the taking of an oath (ÏÏÏÎ¹Ï Î¿ÏκÏμοÏιαÏ). As in Psalms 110:4.
Verse 21
Have been made (ειÏιν γεγονοÏεÏ). Periphrastic perfect active indicative of γινομα (perfect active participle of γινομα) and then ειÏιν. The parenthesis runs from ο μεν Î³Î±Ï (for they) to ÎµÎ¹Ï Ïον αιÏνα (for ever, end of verse Hebrews 7:21).
But he with an oath (ο δε μεÏα οÏκÏμοÏιαÏ). Positive statement in place of the negative one in verse Hebrews 7:20.
Verse 22
By so much also (καÏα ÏοÏÎ¿Ï Ïο κα). Correlative demonstrative corresponding to καθ' οÏον (the relative clause) in verse Hebrews 7:20.
The surety (ÎµÎ³Î³Ï Î¿Ï). Vulgate sponsor. Old word, here only in the N.T., adjective (one pledged, betrothed), from ÎµÎ³Î³Ï Î·, a pledge, here used as substantive like ÎµÎ³Î³Ï Î·ÏηÏ, one who gives a pledge or guarantee. There may be a play on the word ÎµÎ³Î³Î¹Î¶Ï in verse Hebrews 7:19. ÎÎ³Î³Ï Î±Ï is to give a pledge, ÎµÎ³Î³Ï Î±Î»Î¹Î¶Ï, to put a pledge in the hollow of the hand. It is not clear whether the author means that Jesus is God's pledge to man, or man's to God, or both. He is both in fact, as the Mediator (ο μεÏιÏηÏ, Hebrews 8:6) between God and man (Son of God and Son of man).
Verse 23
Many in number (ÏλειονεÏ). Comparative predicate adjective, "more than one," in succession, not simultaneously.
Because they are hindered (δια Ïο κÏÎ»Ï ÎµÏθα). Articular infinitive (present passive) with δια and the accusative case, "because of the being hindered."
By death (θαναÏÏ). Instrumental case.
From continuing (ÏαÏαμενειν). Present active infinitive of the compound (remain beside) as in Philippians 1:25 and in the ablative case.
Verse 24
Because he abideth (δια Ïο μενειν Î±Ï Ïον). Same idiom as in verse Hebrews 7:23, "because of the abiding as to him" (accusative of general reference, Î±Ï Ïον).
Unchangeable (αÏαÏαβαÏον). Predicate adjective in the accusative (feminine of compound adjective like masculine), late double compound verbal adjective in Plutarch and papyri, from alpha privative and ÏαÏαβαινÏ, valid or inviolate. The same idea in verse Hebrews 7:3. God placed Christ in this priesthood and no one else can step into it. See verse Hebrews 7:11 for ιεÏÏÏÏ Î½Î·.
Verse 25
Wherefore (οθεν). Since he alone holds this priesthood.
To the uttermost (ÎµÎ¹Ï Ïο ÏανÏελεÏ). Old idiom, in N.T. only here and Luke 13:10. Vulgate renders it in perpetuum (temporal idea) or like ÏανÏοÏε. This is possible, but the common meaning is completely, utterly.
Draw near (ÏÏοÏεÏÏÎ¿Î¼ÎµÎ½Î¿Ï Ï). Present middle participle of ÏÏοÏεÏÏομα, the verb used in Hebrews 4:16 which see.
To make intercession (ÎµÎ¹Ï Ïο ενÏÏ Î³Ïανειν). Purpose clause with ÎµÎ¹Ï and the articular present active infinitive of ενÏÏ Î³ÏÎ±Î½Ï for which verb see Romans 8:34. "His intercession has red blood in it, unlike Philo's conception" (Moffatt).
Verse 26
Became us (ημιν εÏÏεÏεν). Imperfect active indicative of ÏÏεÏÏ as in Hebrews 2:10, only there it was applied to God while here to us. "Such" (ÏÎ¿Î¹Î¿Ï ÏοÏ) refers to the Melchizedek character of Jesus as high priest and in particular to his power to help and save (Hebrews 2:17) as just explained in Hebrews 7:24 Moffatt notes that "it is generally misleading to parse a rhapsody" but the adjectives that follow picture in outline the qualities of the high priest needed by us.
Holy (οÏιοÏ). Saintly, pious, as already noted. Cf. Acts 2:24; Acts 13:35.
Guileless (ακακοÏ). Without malice, innocent. In N.T. only here and Romans 16:18.
Undefiled (αμιανÏοÏ). Untainted, stainless. In the papyri. Not merely ritual purity (Leviticus 21:10-15), but real ethical cleanness.
Separated from sinners (κεÏÏÏιÏÎ¼ÎµÎ½Î¿Ï Î±Ïο ÏÏν αμαÏÏÏλÏν). Perfect passive participle. Probably referring to Christ's exaltation (Hebrews 9:28).
Made higher than the heavens (Ï ÏηλοÏεÏÎ¿Ï ÏÏν Î¿Ï ÏανÏν γενομενοÏ). "Having become higher than the heavens." Ablative case (Î¿Ï ÏανÏν) after the comparative adjective (Ï ÏηλοÏεÏοÏ).
Verse 27
First (ÏÏοÏεÏον). Regular adverb for comparison between two, though ÏÏÏÏον often occurs also (John 1:41), with εÏειÏα (then) following.
For the sins (Ïον). Only the article in the Greek with repetition of Ï ÏÎµÏ or of αμαÏÏιÏν.
When he offered up himself (ÎµÎ±Ï Ïον ανενεγκαÏ). First aorist active participle of αναÏεÏÏ, to offer up. See same idea in Hebrews 9:14 where ÎµÎ±Ï Ïον ÏÏοÏηνεγκεν is used. Old verb for sacrifice to place on the altar (1 Peter 2:5; 1 Peter 2:24).
Verse 28
After the law (μεÏα Ïον νομον). As shown in verses Hebrews 7:11-19, and with an oath (Psalms 110:4).
Son (Ï Î¹Î¿Î½). As in Psalms 2:7; Hebrews 1:2 linked with Psalms 110:4.
Perfected (ÏεÏελειÏμενον). Perfect passive participle of ÏελειοÏ. The process (Hebrews 2:10) was now complete. Imperfect and sinful as we are we demand a permanent high priest who is sinless and perfectly equipped by divine appointment and human experience (Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 5:1-10) to meet our needs, and with the perfect offering of himself as sacrifice.