Hebrews 7:1–10

Melchizedek the Priest

7 This Melchizedek was king of Salemf and priest of God Most High.g He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him,h 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy,i without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God,j he remains a priest forever.

4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarchk Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!l 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the peoplem—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessedn him who had the promises.o 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.p 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.