Bible Strands
Hebrews 7:4
Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The author addresses the readers to reflect on Melchizedek’s status immediately after describing his priestly nature without genealogy or lineage.
The words — Θεωρεῖτε (Theōreite) means "do consider," and δεκατήν (dekatēn) means "a tenth," anchoring the argument in observable action rather than abstract theology.
The thread — Genesis 14:20 records Abram giving the tenth to Melchizedek, while Hebrews 7:5 contrasts this with the Levitical law requiring tithes from Abraham’s own descendants.
Why it lands — It demands recognition that Abraham, the founding patriarch, submitted to Melchizedek’s superior priestly authority by paying him a tithe.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
Cross-references
- Genesis 14:20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.
- Acts 2:29 Brothers, I can tell you with confidence that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
- Genesis 12:2 I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
- Genesis 17:5 No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.
- Acts 7:8 Then God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day. And Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.
- Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
- Romans 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.
- Romans 4:17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist.
- James 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.