Hebrews 7:8

Hebrews 7:8

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

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

b. NIV: 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.

c. YLT: and here, indeed, men who die do receive tithes, and there he, who is testified to that he was living,

d. Amplified Bible: Furthermore, here [in the Levitical priesthood] tithes are received by men who are subject to death; but in that case [concerning Melchizedek], they are received by one of whom it is testified that he lives on [perpetually].

e. Worrell Translation: And here, indeed men who die receive tithes; but there, one received them who receives witness that he lives.

1.”And here men that die receive tithes…”

a. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. here [5602 * hode] [Strong: from an adverb form of 3592; in this same spot, i.e. here or hither:--here, hither, (in) this place, there.]

c. [3303 * men] [Strong: a primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with 1161 (this one, the former, etc.):--even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily. Often compounded with other particles in an intensive or asseverative sense.]

d. men [444 * Anthropos] [Strong: from 435 and ops (the countenance; from 3700); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.]

e. that die [599 *  apothnesko] [Strong: from 575 and 2348; to die off (literally or figuratively):--be dead, death, die, lie a-dying, be slain (X with).]

f. receive [2983 * lambano] [Strong: a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively (properly objective or active, to get hold of; whereas 1209 is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while 138 is more violent, to seize or remove)):--accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up).]

g. tithes [1181 * dekate] [Strong: feminine of 1182; a tenth, i.e. as a percentage or (technically) tithe:--tenth (part), tithe.]

1). When Paul wrote Hebrews, tithing was a practice that Jews had obeyed for over a thousand years, but it also continued to be practiced by Messianic Jews, Jews who had accepted Jesus as the Messiah.

a). Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

b). Acts 21:20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

2). The present tense used in this verse and in a number of other verses associated with temple worship (Hebrews 8:4; 9:4; 10:1; 13:10), probably means the temple had not yet been destroyed.  The temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. Paul was martyred probably in the middle to late 60’s of the first century. This would explain in part, the wording of the beginning of verse 8.

2. “…but there he receiveth them of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.”

a. but [1161 * de] [Strong: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. there [1563 * ekei] [Strong: of uncertain affinity; there; by extension, thither:--there, thither(-ward), (to) yonder (place).]

c. it is witnessed [3140 * martureo] [Strong: from 3144; to be a witness, i.e. testify (literally or figuratively):--charge, give (evidence), bear record, have (obtain, of) good (honest) report, be well reported of, testify, give (have) testimony, (be, bear, give, obtain) witness.]

d. that [3754 * hoti] [Strong: neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.]

e. he liveth [2198 * zao] [Strong: a primary verb; to live (literally or figuratively):--life(-time), (a-)live(-ly), quick.]

1). The writer (probably Paul) is contrasting the receiving of tithes, “here” and “there”. “Here” of course meaning here on earth by Levites in the temple and probably congregations of Messianic Jews and Gentiles, and “there” referring to heaven. The “he” in this verse is no doubt referring to Jesus. The Amplified writes that the “he” is Melchizedek. I personally believe that although Melchizedek is in the passage, he is only there to point to Christ Jesus. I believe the “he” in heaven is Christ.

a). Hebrews 7:13, 14 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

2). When we pay tithes and offerings, the Lord Jesus receives them in heaven and offers them to the Father.

a). Hebrews 8:1-3 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the Majesty in the heavens.

8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

8:3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat to also to offer.

a). This is primarily referring to Jesus offering his blood on the Mercy Seat in heaven.

(1) Hebrews 9:11-14 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, but a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood e entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

b). But it is also referring to the other spiritual sacrifices we offer to Jesus and he in turn offers them to the Father.

(1) Our tithes and offerings: Hebrews 7:8

(2) Our confession, the words of our mouth: Hebrews 3:1.

(3) Our praise: Hebrews 13:15.

(4) Our obedience to his will: Romans 12:1, 2.

c). While I do not believe the Body of Christ is under the Old Covenant tithe, at the same time, if the Jews could give 23% of their total income just in tithe every year[the adding of all three tithes every three years], under the Old Covenant, can’t we who are under a better Covenant give at least 10%.