Hebrews 7:8 kjv

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

Hebrews 7:8 nkjv

Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.

Hebrews 7:8 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.

Hebrews 7:8 esv

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.

Hebrews 7:8 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.

Hebrews 7 verses

Hebrews 7 8 Meaning

This verse highlights a profound contrast in the priesthoods, pivotal to the book of Hebrews' argument for the superiority of Christ. It states that on earth, tithes are received by mortal Levitical priests who are subject to death. In contrast, "there" (referring to the spiritual or heavenly realm of Melchizedek/Christ), tithes were received by one "of whom it is testified that he lives," emphasizing the eternal and unceasing nature of Christ's priesthood, foreshadowed by Melchizedek. This distinction underpins the obsolescence of the old covenant and the permanence of the new.

Hebrews 7 8 Context

Hebrews Chapter 7 forms a central part of the epistle's extensive argument demonstrating the superiority of Jesus Christ as the High Priest of a new covenant, specifically by comparing Him to Melchizedek and contrasting Him with the Levitical priesthood. The chapter starts by introducing Melchizedek (from Gen 14), emphasizing his unique features like being "without father or mother" (Heb 7:3) and "priest of God Most High." The author argues that Melchizedek was greater than Abraham, evidenced by Abraham paying tithes to him (Heb 7:4-7). Since the Levitical priests descended from Abraham, they too are implicitly "lesser" than Melchizedek.

Verse 8 continues this line of argument by contrasting the recipients of tithes. On one hand, the Levitical priests who receive tithes are "men who die," signifying the temporary and changeable nature of the Old Covenant system. On the other hand, Melchizedek, whose priesthood foreshadows Christ's, is portrayed as perpetually living ("of whom it is testified that he lives"), establishing a spiritual precedent for an eternal, unchangeable priesthood. This contrast serves to convince the Jewish Christian audience, who might be tempted to revert to the familiar Old Covenant traditions, that the New Covenant established by Christ's superior, permanent, and living priesthood is indeed far better. The historical context involves a community wavering in faith, possibly facing persecution, and being drawn back to Judaism. The epistle highlights the deficiencies and temporary nature of the Law, the temple, and the Levitical priesthood, to underscore Christ's perfection and the eternal efficacy of His work.

Hebrews 7 8 Word analysis

• And here (ἐνταῦθα - entautha):
  • Meaning: "in this place," "here."
  • Significance: Refers to the earthly realm, specifically the context of the Mosaic Law and the Levitical priesthood in the physical temple system. It grounds the comparison in the tangible, current experience of the readers regarding their Jewish heritage.
• men who die (ἀποθνήσκοντες - apothnēskontes):
  • Meaning: "dying ones," "those who are dying," "mortal men."
  • Significance: This describes the Levitical priests. Their mortality necessitates a succession of priests (Heb 7:23). It underscores the temporary, fragile, and imperfect nature of their priesthood and the covenant they administered, incapable of providing lasting salvation or perfecting the worshipper.
• receive tithes (δεκάτας λαμβάνουσιν - dekatas lambanousin):
  • Meaning: "they take/receive tenths/tithes."
  • Significance: Under the Mosaic Law, the Levites received tithes as their inheritance for their service in the Tabernacle/Temple (Num 18:21). The act of receiving tithes denotes superiority over the tither (Heb 7:7). This phrase here connects the verse directly to the tithing system familiar to the Jewish audience, highlighting the priestly function.
• but there (ἔκεί - ekei):
  • Meaning: "in that place," "there."
  • Significance: In contrast to "here" (the earthly, Levitical sphere), "there" refers to a transcendent, spiritual, or symbolic realm where Melchizedek operates—a realm of permanent validity, distinct from the transient Levitical order. It points to a higher, heavenly reality.
• he receives them (λαμβάνει - lambanei):
  • Meaning: "he takes/receives."
  • Significance: This refers to Melchizedek receiving tithes from Abraham (Gen 14:20). The author then applies the principle of Melchizedek's eternality to Christ. The singular "he" reinforces the unique and singular nature of this superior priesthood, unlike the many successive Levitical priests.
• of whom it is testified (μαρτυρούμενος - martyroumenos):
  • Meaning: "being testified of," "witnessed to," "having testimony."
  • Significance: This directly references Psalm 110:4 ("You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek"). It means there is prophetic witness in Scripture affirming this enduring aspect of Melchizedek's priesthood. The authority of God's revealed Word validates Melchizedek's (and thus Christ's) permanent priesthood.
• that he lives (ζῇ - zē):
  • Meaning: "he lives," "he is alive."
  • Significance: This is the crucial point of contrast. While Levitical priests die, Melchizedek is presented without a recorded beginning or end of life (Heb 7:3), typifying Christ's eternal and resurrected life. It signifies an unbroken, continuous, and effective priesthood that does not require succession, providing a stark contrast to the mortal and thus interruptible Levitical service. This eternality is the bedrock of Christ's superior capacity to save forever.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And here men who die receive tithes": This phrase immediately establishes the limited, perishable nature of the Levitical priesthood and its function. It grounds the Old Covenant ministry in human mortality and its earthly temporal existence, subject to natural limitations. This points to the weakness inherent in the Law.
• "but there he receives them, of whom it is testified that he lives": This powerfully contrasts the mortal, earthly recipients with the single, superior recipient from a spiritual realm whose very existence is defined by enduring life. The emphasis shifts from physical death to eternal existence, establishing the theological argument for Christ's permanent and unchangeable high priesthood (Heb 7:24), unlike the many transient Levitical priests. This part points to the strength and eternality of the New Covenant priesthood.

Hebrews 7 8 Bonus section

• The rhetorical "here... but there" structure (Greek: entautha... ekei) emphasizes the spatial and qualitative shift from the temporal, earthly shadow to the eternal, heavenly reality. It's a contrast between the perishable and the imperishable, a recurring theme in the New Testament to describe the shift from the Old to the New Covenant.
• The reference to Melchizedek as "living" is not about whether the historical Melchizedek physically died (he undoubtedly did, as all humans do), but rather how he is presented in Scripture (Genesis 14, Psalm 110) without a record of birth or death. This allows the author of Hebrews to use him as a perfect type (typos) for Christ's unique, everlasting priesthood, which is literally and spiritually eternal.
• This verse underpins the understanding that Christ's Priesthood does not operate within the framework of human succession or limitations, making it superior to any earthly priestly lineage. His living status makes His sacrifice permanently valid and His intercession perpetually active.

Hebrews 7 8 Commentary

Hebrews 7:8 is a succinct and potent verse that encapsulates the author's central theological argument for the superiority of Christ's priesthood. The argument hinges on the observation that while Levitical priests are mortal and constantly succeeded by others due to death, Melchizedek, portrayed as having no record of death (Heb 7:3), signifies an unchangeable and everlasting priesthood. The author leverages the custom of tithing to underscore this point: the very act of tithing reveals a hierarchy where the greater blesses or receives from the lesser.

The critical insight here is that the Levitical priests, recipients of tithes "here" on earth, were undeniably "men who die." This physical reality of their mortality inherently limits their capacity to provide a permanent solution for sin or a continuous mediation between God and humanity. Their priesthood, though divinely ordained for its time, was therefore transient and indicative of an incomplete covenant.

In striking contrast, "there" – in the higher, spiritual sphere symbolized by Melchizedek – tithes were received by one "of whom it is testified that he lives." This testimony directly alludes to Psalm 110:4, prophetically declaring an everlasting priesthood "after the order of Melchizedek." This implies an unbroken, death-defying, and eternally effective priestly ministry. For the readers, this points conclusively to Jesus Christ, who conquered death and now lives forever, making His priesthood permanent, perfect, and eternally efficacious. This unceasing life empowers His constant intercession and ability to save "to the uttermost" (Heb 7:25), offering what the mortal Levitical priests never could.

Essentially, the verse uses the mundane reality of tithe collection to illustrate a profound spiritual truth: a ministry founded on human mortality is inherently inferior and temporary compared to a ministry founded on an indestructible, divine life.