Hebrews 7:6
But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
3 of 15
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
γενεαλογούμενος
counted
G1075
γενεαλογούμενος
counted
Strong's:
G1075
Word #:
4 of 15
to reckon by generations, i.e., trace in genealogy
ἐξ
from
G1537
ἐξ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
5 of 15
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔχοντα
him that had
G2192
ἔχοντα
him that had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
12 of 15
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Romans 4:13For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.Hebrews 11:17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Historical Context
Melchizedek appears suddenly in Genesis 14 without genealogy, unusual in Genesis where lineages are meticulously recorded. This omission becomes theologically significant, pointing to Christ's priesthood that doesn't depend on human descent but on divine appointment.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is Christ's priesthood based on divine appointment rather than human lineage superior?
- How does Melchizedek's blessing of Abraham demonstrate the superiority of Christ's priesthood over Judaism?
Analysis & Commentary
Melchizedek, 'whose genealogy is not derived from them' (not a Levite), received tithes from Abraham and 'blessed him who had the promises.' Blessing implies superiority - the lesser is blessed by the greater (7:7). Abraham, who held God's covenant promises, was blessed by Melchizedek. This demonstrates Melchizedek's (and typologically Christ's) supreme priestly authority, independent of Levitical descent.