For this Melchisedec, 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 by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

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The Greatness of Melchizedek

For this Melchizedek—

King of Salem, priest of the Most High God,
who met Abraham and blessed him
as he returned from defeating the kings,
and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything;
first, his name means king of righteousness,
then also, king of Salem,
meaning king of peace;
without father, mother, or genealogy,
having neither beginning of days nor end of life,
but resembling the Son of God(A)

remains a priest forever.

Now consider how great this man was—even Abraham the patriarch(B) gave a tenth of the plunder to him!

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For gar this houtos · ho Melchizedek Melchisedek, king basileus of Salem Salēm, priest hiereus of the ho Most High hypsistos God theos, · ho · ho met synantaō Abraham Abraam returning hypostrephō from apo the ho defeat kopē of the ho kings basileus and kai blessed eulogeō him autos, and kai to him hos Abraham Abraam alloted merizō a tenth part dekatos of apo everything pas. Translated hermēneuō, his name means first prōton, “ king basileus of righteousness dikaiosynē,” then epeita · de it also kai means, “ king basileus of Salem Salēm,” that hos is eimi, “ king basileus of peace eirēnē.” He is without father apatōr, without mother amētōr, without genealogy agenealogētos, having echō neither mēte beginning archē of days hēmera nor mēte end telos of life zōē; but de like aphomoioō the ho Son hyios of ho God theos he continues menō a priest hiereus for eis all ho time diēnekēs.

But de see theōreō how great pēlikos this houtos man was to whom hos · kai the ho patriarch patriarchēs Abraham Abraam gave didōmi a tithe dekatos of ek the ho finest plunder akrothinion.

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Now Observe How Great This Melchizedek Is

For this Melchizedek[a], king of Salem, priest of the Most-High God, remains[b] a priest perpetually[c]— the one having met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and having blessed him; to whom also Abraham divided a tenth from everything; who is first ([his name] being translated), king of righteousness; and then also king of Salem, which is[d] king of peace; fatherless, motherless, genealogy-less, having[e] neither a beginning of days nor an end of life, but having been made-like[f] the Son of God. Now observe how great this one is to whom indeed Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth from the choicest-spoils:

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 7:1 The meaning of this man is explained by examining the two places he is mentioned in the OT, Gen 14:17-20 (in v 1-10) and Ps 110 (in v 11-28).
  2. Hebrews 7:1 remains a priest perpetually. In the Greek word order this phrase is at the end of v 3, placing emphasis on it.
  3. Hebrews 7:1 Or, continually, and in this sense, for all time, forever.
  4. Hebrews 7:2 That is, means.
  5. Hebrews 7:3 That is, in the OT record.
  6. Hebrews 7:3 Or, made-to-resemble, copied-from. He is made to appear as a prefigurement of Christ.