The Meaning of Hebrews 7:5 Explained

Hebrews 7:5

KJV: And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

YLT: and those, indeed, out of the sons of Levi receiving the priesthood, a command have to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, their brethren, even though they came forth out of the loins of Abraham;

Darby: And they indeed from among the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is from their brethren, though these are come out of the loins of Abraham:

ASV: And they indeed of the sons of Levi that receive the priest's office have commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though these have come out of the loins of Abraham:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  verily  they that are of  the sons  of Levi,  who  receive  the office of the priesthood,  have  a commandment  to take tithes  of the people  according to  the law,  that is,  of their  brethren,  though  they come  out of  the loins  of Abraham: 

What does Hebrews 7:5 Mean?

Context Summary

Hebrews 7:1-10 - A Priesthood Superior To Aaron' S
Melchizedek was probably a literal king and priest in Salem. The blue smoke of his sacrifices rose morning and evening on the hill. Amid the turbulent lawlessness of those wild days, his realm was peace. Like him, Jesus meets us when flushed with success or wearied with some great effort, and therefore peculiarly liable to temptation. Notice the order! It is invariable! First righteousness, then peace, Zechariah 9:9.
The silences of Scripture are significant. In the case of this ancient priesthood no mention is made of parenthood. This was a matter of comparative indifference. So with our Lord. It is true that He did not come of the priestly family of Aaron, but this is quite unimportant. The one thing for us to notice is that Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, thus confessing him to be the greater. Levi was, so to speak, included in his grandfather's act, so that the Hebrew priesthood, which sprang from Levi, was confessedly inferior to Melchizedek's. If, then, Melchizedek is a type of Christ, we are taught that Christ's priesthood is evidently and eternally superior to all other priesthoods whatsoever. [source]

Chapter Summary: Hebrews 7

1  Christ Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek;
11  and so far more excellent than the priests of Aaron's order

Greek Commentary for Hebrews 7:5

The priest‘s office [την ιερατειαν]
lxx and Koiné word from ιερευς — hiereus in N.T. only here and Luke 1:9. To take tithes Present active infinitive (in -οιν — oin not -ουν — oun as the best MSS. give it) of αποδεκατοω — apodekatoō a lxx word Brethren (λαον — adelphous). Accusative case in apposition with τουτ εστιν — laon (people) unaffected by the explanatory phrase καιπερ εχεληλυτοτας — tout' estin (that is). Though come out (καιπερ — kaiper exelēluthotas). Concessive participle (cf. Hebrews 5:8) with εχερχομαι — kaiper (perfect active of exerchomai). [source]
To take tithes [αποδεκατοιν]
Present active infinitive (in -οιν — oin not -ουν — oun as the best MSS. give it) of αποδεκατοω — apodekatoō a lxx word Brethren (λαον — adelphous). Accusative case in apposition with τουτ εστιν — laon (people) unaffected by the explanatory phrase καιπερ εχεληλυτοτας — tout' estin (that is). Though come out (καιπερ — kaiper exelēluthotas). Concessive participle (cf. Hebrews 5:8) with εχερχομαι — kaiper (perfect active of exerchomai). [source]
[]
d If Melchisedec was greater than Abraham, he was greater than Abraham's descendants, including the tribe of Levi. [source]
They that are of the sons of Levi who receive, etc. [οἱ ἐκ τῶν υἱῶν Λευεὶ λαμβάνοντες]
Those out of the sons of Levi who become priests. Not those who receive the priesthood from the sons of Levi. Not all Levites were priests, but only those of the house of Aaron. [source]
The office of the priesthood [τὴν ἱερατίαν]
Only here and Luke 1:9. [source]
A commandment [ἐντολὴν]
A special injunction. See on James 2:8; see on Ephesians 2:15. [source]
To take tithes [ἀποδεκατοῖν]
See on Hebrews 7:4. [source]
That is of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham []
The people, the brethren of the Levites, are descended from their common ancestor, Abraham, yet the Levites exact tithes from them. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Hebrews 7:5

Acts 7:45 In their turn [διαδεχαμενοι]
First aorist middle participle of διαδεχομαι — diadechomai to receive through another, to receive in sucession or in turn. Late Greek, only here in N.T. Deissmann (Bible Studies, p. 115) argues from a second century b.c. papyrus that διαδοχος — diadochos means rather deputy or court official than successor. With Joshua (μετα Ιησου — meta Iēsou). With Jesus, the Greek form of Joshua (contracted from Jehoshua, Matthew 1:21), as in Hebrews 4:8. When they entered on the possession of the nations Literally “in (or at the time of) the possession of the nations.” See note on Hebrews 7:5 for the only other N.T. instance of κατασχεσις — kataschesis Which (ων — hn). The nations, genitive by attraction to case of ετνων — ethnōn Thrust out First aorist active indicative of εχωτεω — exōtheō to push out, common verb, here, only in N.T. save some MSS. in Acts 27:39. [source]
Acts 7:45 When they entered on the possession of the nations [εν τηι κατασχεσει των ετνων]
Literally “in (or at the time of) the possession of the nations.” See note on Hebrews 7:5 for the only other N.T. instance of κατασχεσις — kataschesis Which (ων — hn). The nations, genitive by attraction to case of ετνων — ethnōn Thrust out First aorist active indicative of εχωτεω — exōtheō to push out, common verb, here, only in N.T. save some MSS. in Acts 27:39. [source]
Hebrews 7:4 The tenth [δεκάτην]
Properly an adjective, but used as a noun for tithe. Only in Hebrews, as is the kindred verb δεκατοῦν toimpose or take tithes. Ἀποδεκατοῖν toexact tithes, Hebrews 7:5. Comp. Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42. [source]
Hebrews 7:11 Priesthood [ἱερωσύνης]
Only in Hebrews. See Hebrews 7:12, Hebrews 7:14. It expresses the abstract notion of the priest's office; while ἱερατία Hebrews 7:5, expresses the priestly service. [source]
Hebrews 13:12 That he might sanctify the people [ἵνα ἁγιάσῃ τὸν λαόν]
Ἁγιάζειν tosanctify had a peculiar significance to Jews. It meant to set them apart as holy. Hence, the Israelites were called ἅγιοι , as separated from other nations and consecrated to God. Our writer extends the application of the word to Christians. For Christ's work he claims the same efficacy which the Jew claimed for the special call of God to Israel, and for the operation of the Jewish sacrificial system. The office of his atoning work is to sanctify; to make for himself a holy nation ( ἔθνος ἅγιον ), a people “prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17); a true Israel of God. Ὁ λαός thepeople, or λαός mypeople, occurs constantly in O.T. as a designation of Israel, and also in N.T. See, in this epistle, Hebrews 5:3; Hebrews 7:5, Hebrews 7:11, Hebrews 7:27; Hebrews 9:7, Hebrews 9:19. The N.T. extends the title to all who, under the new dispensation, occupy the position of Israel. See 1 Peter 2:10; Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:10; Hebrews 4:9; Hebrews 8:10; Hebrews 10:30; Hebrews 11:25. [source]
Hebrews 5:8 Though he was a Son [καιπερ ων υιος]
Concessive participle with καιπερ — kaiper regular Greek idiom as in Hebrews 7:5; Hebrews 12:17. Yet learned obedience Second aorist active indicative of μαντανω — manthanō Succinct and crisp statement of the humanity of Jesus in full harmony with Luke 2:40, Luke 2:52 and with Hebrews 2:10. By the things which he suffered There is a play on the two verbs (εματενεπατεν — emathen -πασχω — epathen), paronomasia. Second aorist active indicative of paschō He always did his Father‘s will (John 8:29), but he grew in experience as in wisdom and stature and in the power of sympathy with us. [source]
Hebrews 7:11 Perfection [τελειωσις]
Abstract substantive of τελειοω — teleioō More the act than the quality or state The condition is of the second class, “if there were perfection, etc.” The Levitical priesthood failed to give men “a perfectly adequate relation to God” (Moffatt). Priesthood Old word, in N.T. only here, Hebrews 7:12, Hebrews 7:24. Cf. ιερετια — hieretia in Hebrews 7:5. The adjective Λευειτικη — Leueitikē occurs in Philo. Received the law Perfect passive indicative of νομοτετεω — nomotheteō old compound to enact law No copula expressed, but it would normally be ην — ēn an not just ετερον ιερεα — ēn “What need still would there be?” Another priest (ετερον — heteron hierea). Of a different line (αλλον — heteron), not just one more (ανιστασται — allon). Accusative of general reference with the infinitive ανιστημι — anistasthai (present middle of και ου λεγεσται — anistēmi intransitive). And not to be reckoned (ου — kai ou legesthai). The negative ou belongs rather to the descriptive clause than just to the infinitive. [source]
Hebrews 7:11 Priesthood [ιεροσυνης]
Old word, in N.T. only here, Hebrews 7:12, Hebrews 7:24. Cf. ιερετια — hieretia in Hebrews 7:5. The adjective Λευειτικη — Leueitikē occurs in Philo. Received the law Perfect passive indicative of νομοτετεω — nomotheteō old compound to enact law No copula expressed, but it would normally be ην — ēn an not just ετερον ιερεα — ēn “What need still would there be?” Another priest (ετερον — heteron hierea). Of a different line (αλλον — heteron), not just one more (ανιστασται — allon). Accusative of general reference with the infinitive ανιστημι — anistasthai (present middle of και ου λεγεσται — anistēmi intransitive). And not to be reckoned (ου — kai ou legesthai). The negative ou belongs rather to the descriptive clause than just to the infinitive. [source]

What do the individual words in Hebrews 7:5 mean?

And those indeed out from the sons of Levi the priestly office receiving a commandment have to take a tenth from the people according to the law that is from the brothers of them though having come out of the loin of Abraham
καὶ οἱ μὲν ἐκ τῶν υἱῶν Λευὶ τὴν ἱερατείαν λαμβάνοντες ἐντολὴν ἔχουσιν ἀποδεκατοῦν τὸν λαὸν κατὰ τὸν νόμον τοῦτ’ ἔστιν τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτῶν καίπερ ἐξεληλυθότας ἐκ τῆς ὀσφύος Ἀβραάμ

οἱ  those 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
μὲν  indeed 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: μέν  
Sense: truly, certainly, surely, indeed.
ἐκ  out  from 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐκ 
Sense: out of, from, by, away from.
υἱῶν  sons 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: υἱός  
Sense: a son.
Λευὶ  of  Levi 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Λευί  
Sense: the third son of the patriarch Jacob by his wife Leah, the founder of the tribe of Israelites which bears his name.
ἱερατείαν  priestly  office 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἱερατεία  
Sense: the priesthood, the office of a priest.
λαμβάνοντες  receiving 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: λαμβάνω  
Sense: to take.
ἐντολὴν  a  commandment 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐντολή  
Sense: an order, command, charge, precept, injunction.
ἀποδεκατοῦν  to  take  a  tenth 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: ἀποδεκατεύω 
Sense: to give, pay a tithe of anything.
τὸν  from  the 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
λαὸν  people 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: λαός  
Sense: a people, people group, tribe, nation, all those who are of the same stock and language.
κατὰ  according  to 
Parse: Preposition
Root: κατά 
Sense: down from, through out.
νόμον  law 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: νόμος  
Sense: anything established, anything received by usage, a custom, a law, a command.
τοῦτ’  that 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
τοὺς  from  the 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀδελφοὺς  brothers 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀδελφός  
Sense: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother.
αὐτῶν  of  them 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
καίπερ  though 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καίπερ  
Sense: although.
ἐξεληλυθότας  having  come 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἐξέρχομαι 
Sense: to go or come forth of.
ἐκ  out  of 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐκ 
Sense: out of, from, by, away from.
ὀσφύος  loin 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ὀσφῦς  
Sense: the hip (loin).
Ἀβραάμ  of  Abraham 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Ἀβραάμ  
Sense: the son of Terah and the founder of the Jewish nation.