New King James Version
Hebrews 7:2
2to 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,”
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 Living Translation (NLT)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.”
Context of Hebrews 7:2
1For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 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,” 3without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. 4Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.
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 28:22And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”
- Leviticus 27:32And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the Lord.
- Numbers 18:21“Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting.
- 1 Samuel 8:15He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage, and give it to his officers and servants.
- 2 Samuel 8:15So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered judgment and justice to all his people.
- 2 Samuel 23:3The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God.
- 1 Kings 4:24For he had dominion over all the region on this side of the River from Tiphsah even to Gaza, namely over all the kings on this side of the River; and he had peace on every side all around him.
- 1 Chronicles 22:9Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies all around. His name shall be Solomon, for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.
- Psalms 45:4And in Your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility, and righteousness; And Your right hand shall teach You awesome things.
- Psalms 72:1Give the king Your judgments, O God, And Your righteousness to the king’s Son.
- Psalms 85:10Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.
- Isaiah 9:6For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Isaiah 32:1Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, And princes will rule with justice.
- Isaiah 45:22“Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.
- Jeremiah 23:5“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
- Jeremiah 33:15‘In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David A Branch of righteousness; He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries