Hebrews 7:8

8 Moreover, in the case of the cohanim, the tenth is received by men who die; while in the case of Malki-Tzedek, it is received by someone who is testified to be still alive.

Hebrews 7:8 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 7:8

And here men that die receive tithes,
&c,] The priests and Levites were not only men, and mortal men, subject to death, but they did die, and so did not continue, by reason of death, ( Hebrews 7:24 )

but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth;
which is to be understood of Melchizedek; who is not opposed to men, as if he was not a man, nor to mortal men, but to men that die; nor is he said to be immortal, but to live: and this may respect the silence of the Scripture concerning him, which gives no account of his death; and may be interpreted of the perpetuity of his priesthood, and of his living in his antitype Christ; and the testimony concerning him is in ( Psalms 110:4 ) .

Hebrews 7:8 In-Context

6 But Malki-Tzedek, even though he was not descended from Levi, took a tenth from Avraham. Also, he blessed Avraham, the man who received God's promises;

7 and it is beyond all dispute that the one who blesses has higher status than the one who receives the blessing.

8 Moreover, in the case of the cohanim, the tenth is received by men who die; while in the case of Malki-Tzedek, it is received by someone who is testified to be still alive.

9 One might go even further and say that Levi, who himself receives tenths, paid a tenth through Avraham;

10 inasmuch as he was still in his ancestor Avraham's body when Malki-Tzedek met him.