Hebrews 7:8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.

◄ Hebrews 7:8 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.

English Standard Version
In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives.

New American Standard Bible
In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on.

King James Bible
And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In the one case, men who will die receive tenths, but in the other case, Scripture testifies that he lives.

International Standard Version
Mortal men collect tithes, but we are informed by Scripture that Melchizedek keeps on living.

American Standard Version
And here men that die receive tithes; but there one, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And here indeed, men that die, receive thithes: but there he hath witness, that he liveth.

Darby Bible Translation
And here dying men receive tithes; but there one of whom the witness is that he lives;

Young's Literal Translation
and here, indeed, men who die do receive tithes, and there he, who is testified to that he was living,

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

7:4-10 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 strength, ascribing our victories to his grace, and desiring to be met and blessed by him in all our ways.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

8. Second point of superiority: Melchisedec's is an enduring, the Levitical a transitory, priesthood. As the law was a parenthesis between Abraham's dispensation of promise of grace, and its enduring fulfilment at Christ's coming (Ro 5:20, Greek, "The law entered as something adscititious and by the way"): so the Levitical priesthood was parenthetical and temporary, between Melchisedec's typically enduring priesthood, and its antitypical realization in our ever continuing High Priest, Christ.

here—in the Levitical priesthood.

there—in the priesthood after the order of Melchisedec. In order to bring out the typical parallel more strongly, Paul substitutes, "He of whom it is witnessed that he liveth," for the more untypical, "He who is made like to Him that liveth." Melchisedec "liveth" merely in his official capacity, his priesthood being continued in Christ. Christ, on the other hand, is, in His own person, "ever living after the power of an endless life" (Heb 7:16, 25). Melchisedec's death not being recorded, is expressed by the positive term "liveth," for the sake of bringing into prominence the antitype, Christ, of whom alone it is strictly and perfectly true, "that He liveth."