God’s Word Translation
Hebrews 7:2
2Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything he had captured. In the first place, Melchizedek’s name means king of God’s approval. He is also called king of Salem (which means 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
1Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of the Most High God. He met Abraham and blessed him when Abraham was returning from defeating the kings. Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything he had captured. In the first place, Melchizedek’s name means king of God’s approval. He is also called king of Salem (which means king of peace). 3No one knows anything about Melchizedek’s father, mother, or ancestors. No one knows when he was born or when he died. Like the Son of God, Melchizedek continues to be a priest forever. 4You can see how important Melchizedek was. Abraham gave him a tenth of what he had captured, even though Abraham was the father of the chosen people.
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 the house of God, and I will surely give you a tenth of everything you give me.”
- Leviticus 27:32Every tenth head of cattle or sheep that you counted is holy and belongs to the Lord.
- Numbers 18:21“I am giving the Levites one-tenth of every Israelite’s income. This is in return for the work they do at the tent of meeting.
- 1 Samuel 8:15He will take a tenth of your grain and wine and give it to his aids and officials.
- 2 Samuel 8:15So David ruled all Israel. He did what was fair and right for all his people.
- 2 Samuel 23:3The God of Israel spoke to them. The rock of Israel told me, ‘The one who rules humans with justice rules with the fear of God.
- 1 Kings 4:24He controlled all the territory west of the Euphrates River from Tiphsah to Gaza and all of its kings. So he lived in peace with all the neighboring countries.
- 1 Chronicles 22:9You will have a son who will be a peaceful man. I will give him peace from all the enemies around him. His name will be Solomon [Peace], and in his time I will give Israel peace and quiet.
- Psalms 45:4Ride on victoriously in your majesty for the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness. Let your right hand teach you awe-inspiring things.
- Psalms 72:1O God, give the king your justice and the king’s son your righteousness
- Psalms 85:10Mercy and truth have met. Righteousness and peace have kissed.
- Isaiah 9:6A child will be born for us. A son will be given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. He will be named: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Isaiah 32:1A king will rule with fairness, and officials will rule with justice.
- Isaiah 45:22Turn to me and be saved, all who live at the ends of the earth, because I am God, and there is no other.
- Jeremiah 23:5“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will grow a righteous branch for David. He will be a king who will rule wisely. He will do what is fair and right in the land.
- Jeremiah 33:15In those days and at that time, I will cause a righteous branch to spring up for David. He will do what is fair and right 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
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