Hebrews 7:8

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 in Other Translations

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

8 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.

8 The priests who collect tithes are men who die, so Melchizedek is greater than they are, because we are told that he lives on.

8 Or look at it this way: We pay our tithes to priests who die, but Abraham paid tithes to a priest who, the Scripture says, "lives."

8 In the one case, men who will die receive tithes; but in the other case, [Scripture] testifies that he lives.

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 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.

7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater.

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.

9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham,

10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

Cross References

• 1. Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 6:20