Hebrews 7:10

Hebrews 7:10 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
• English Standard Version (ESV)for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.
• New King James Version (NKJV)for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
• New Living Translation (NLT)For although Levi wasn’t born yet, the seed from which he came was in Abraham’s body when Melchizedek collected the tithe from him.

Context of Hebrews 7:10

8In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 9One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor. 11If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also.

Hebrews 7:10 word by word

ἔτι γὰρ ἐν τῇ ὀσφύϊ τοῦ πατρὸς ἦν ὅτε συνήντησεν αὐτῷ Μελχισέδεκ.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• he wasεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• yetἔτιeti · stillG2089
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the loinsὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the loinsὀσφῦςosphus · loinsG3751
• of his fatherπατήρpatēr · fatherG3962
• whenὅτεhote ho te hē te tō te · whenG3753
• MelchisedecΜελχισεδέκMelchisedek · MelchizedekG3198
• metσυναντάωsunantaō · to meetG4876
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846

Cross-references for Hebrews 7:10

• Hebrews 7:5Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham.
• Genesis 35:11And God said to him, “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants.
• Genesis 46:26All those who went to Egypt with Jacob—those who were his direct descendants, not counting his sons’ wives—numbered sixty-six persons.
• 1 Kings 8:19Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, your own flesh and blood—he is the one who will build the temple for my Name.’

Commentaries on Hebrews 7:10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10For he was yet in the loins of his father - That is, Levi was seminally included in Abraham, his forefather.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 10For he was yet in the loins of his father - Abraham is here called the father of Levi, by a common use of the word, referring to a more remote ancestor than the literal father. The meaning of the apostle is, that he was even then, in a certain sense, in the loins of Abraham, when Melchizedek met him; or it was all the same as if he were there, and had then an existence. The relation which subsisted between him and Abraham, in the circumstances of the…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-10Verses 4-10 That High Priest who should afterward appear, of whom Melchizedec was a type, must be much superior to the Levitical priests. Observe Abraham's great dignity and happiness; that he had the promises. That man is rich and happy indeed, who has the promises, both of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This honour have all those who receive the Lord Jesus. Let us go forth in our spiritual conflicts, trusting in his word and…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9-10And so to speak: The author knows that saying the Levites paid a tithe to Melchizedek is not literally true, since Levi was not born yet. Abraham represented all his descendants when he paid his tithe to Melchizedek. Levi was connected to Abraham because he came from Abraham's lineage. All of Abraham's descendants were united with him. So, his action could be seen as their action.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1010. in the loins of his father--that is, forefather Abraham. Christ did not, in this sense, pay tithes in Abraham, for He never was in the loins of an earthly father [Alford]. Though, in respect to His mother, He was "of the fruit of (David's, and so of) Abraham's loins," yet, being supernaturally, without human father, conceived, as He is above the natural law of birth, so is he above the law of tithes. Only those born in the natural way, and so in sin…Read the comment

Topics related to Hebrews 7:10

• Abraham
• Melchizedek
• Priest
• Succession
• Types

In the dictionaries

• Attendance
• Harmless
• Melchizedek
• Separate
• Adam in the New Testament
• Christ, Offices of
• Congregation
• Faithful; Faithfulness
• Hebrews, Epistle to the
• Jashobeam

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