Christian Standard Bible
Hebrews 7:2
2and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means king of righteousness, then also, king of Salem, meaning king of peace.
Hebrews 7:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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 International Version (NIV)and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)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 King James Version (NKJV)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,”
Context of Hebrews 7:2
1For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham and blessed him as he returned from defeating the kings, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means king of righteousness, then also, king of Salem, meaning king of peace. 3Without father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. 4Now consider how great this man was: even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the plunder to him.
Read all of Hebrews 7Hebrews 7:2 word by word
ᾧ καὶ δεκάτην ἀπὸ πάντων ἐμέρισεν Ἀβραάμ, πρῶτον μὲν ἑρμηνευόμενος βασιλεὺς δικαιοσύνης ἔπειτα δὲ καὶ βασιλεὺς Σαλήμ, ὅ ἐστιν βασιλεὺς εἰρήνης,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- To whomὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- alsoκαίkai · andG2532
- AbrahamἈβραάμAbraam · AbrahamG11
- gaveμερίζωmerizō · to divideG3307
- a tenth partδεκάτηdekatē · tenthG1181
- ofἀπόapo · away fromG575
- allπᾶςpas · allG3956
- firstπρῶτονprōton · firstG4412
- ·μένmen · on the other handG3303
- being by interpretationἑρμηνεύωhermēneuō · to interpretG2059
- Kingβασιλεύςbasileus · kingG935
- of righteousnessδικαιοσύνηdikaiosunē · righteousnessG1343
- andδέde · thenG1161
- after thatἔπειταepeita · thenG1899
- of SalemΣαλήμSalēm · SalemG4532
- isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- of peaceεἰρήνηeirēnē · peaceG1515
Cross-references for Hebrews 7:2
- Genesis 28:22This stone that I have set up as a marker will be God’s house, and I will give to you a tenth of all that you give me.”
- Leviticus 27:32Every tenth animal from the herd or flock, which passes under the shepherd’s rod, will be holy to the Lord.
- Numbers 18:21“Look, I have given the Levites every tenth in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the work of the tent of meeting.
- 1 Samuel 8:15He can take a tenth of your grain and your vineyards and give them to his officials and servants.
- 2 Samuel 8:15So David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people.
- 2 Samuel 23:3The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, “The one who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,
- 1 Kings 4:24for he had dominion over everything west of the Euphrates from Tiphsah to Gaza and over all the kings west of the Euphrates. He had peace on all his surrounding borders.
- 1 Chronicles 22:9But a son will be born to you; he will be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies, for his name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel during his reign.
- Psalms 45:4in your splendor ride triumphantly in the cause of truth, humility, and justice. May your right hand show your awe-inspiring acts.
- Psalms 72:1God, give your justice to the king and your righteousness to the king’s son.
- Psalms 85:10Faithful love and truth will join together; righteousness and peace will embrace.
- Isaiah 9:6For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
- Isaiah 32:1Indeed, a king will reign righteously, and rulers will rule justly.
- Isaiah 45:22Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is no other.
- Jeremiah 23:5“Look, the days are coming” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “when I will raise up a Righteous Branch for David. He will reign wisely as king and administer justice and righteousness in the land.
- Jeremiah 33:15In those days and at that time I will cause a Righteous Branch to sprout up for David, and he will administer justice and righteousness in the land.
Commentaries on Hebrews 7:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Gave 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…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2To 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…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2Abraham gave a tenth to the Lord by giving it to Melchizedek, his priest. This act foreshadows the giving of tithes under the law (Leviticus 27:30, 32) and is important in the author's argument (Hebrews 7:4). Melchi- (Hebrew melek) means king. -zedek (Hebrew tsedeq) means justice or righteousness. Salem (Hebrew shalom) means peace. Rabbis often highlighted the theological meaning of a biblical figure's name by linking it to other Hebrew terms.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. gave--Greek, "apportioned"; assigned as his portion. tenth ... of all--namely, the booty taken. The tithes given are closely associated with the priesthood: the mediating priest received them as a pledge of the giver's whole property being God's; and as he conveyed God's gifts to man (He 7:1, "blessed him"), so also man's gifts to God. Melchisedec is a sample of how God preserves, amidst general apostasy, an elect remnant. The meeting of Melchisedec…Read the comment
Topics related to Hebrews 7:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Hebrews 7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
Christian Standard Bible — © 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
Commentaries