Exposition of Hebrews 6-10, Exegesis of chapter 7 · Exegesis of verses 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 – Exegesis of verses 6, 7
VER. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
IN the five following Verses the Apostle pursues and Concludes that part of his Argument from the Consideration of Melchisedec, which concerned the Greatness and Glory of him who was Represented by him, and his Preeminence above the Levitical Priests. For if Melchisedec who was but a Type of him, was in his own Person in so many Instances more Excellent than they; how much more must he be esteemed to be above them, who was Represented by him. For he whom another is appointed to represent, must be more Glorious than he by whom he is represented. This part of his Argument the Apostle concludes in these Verses, and thence proceeds unto another great Inference and Deduction from what he had taught concerning this Melchisedec. And this was that which strook unto the heart of that Controversie which he had in hand, namely, that the Levitical Priesthood must necessarily cease upon the Introduction of that better Priesthood which was fore-signified by that of Melchisedec. And these things, whatsoever sence we now have of them, were those on which the Salvation or Damnation of these Hebrews did absolutely depend. For unless they were prevailed on to forgoe that Priesthood which was now abolished, and to betake themselves alone unto that more Excellent which was then Introduced, they must unavoidably perish; as accordingly on this very account it fell out with the Generality of that People, their Posterity persisting in the same Unbelief unto this day. And that which God made the Crisis of the Life and Death of that Church and People, ought to be diligently weighed and considered by us. It may be some find not themselves much concerned in this Laborious acurate Dispute of the Apostle, wherein so much occurrs about Pedigrees, Priests, and Tithes, which they think belongs not unto them. But let them remember, that in that great Day of taking down the whole Fabrick of Mosaical Worship, and the Abolition of the Covenant of Sinai, the Life and Death of that Ancient Church, the Posterity of Abraham the Friend of God, to whom unto this Season an inclosure was made of all Spiritual Priviledges, (Rom. 9. 4.) depended upon their receiving or rejecting of the Truth here contended for. And God in like manner doth often-times single out especial Truths for the Trial of the Faith and Obedience of the Church in especial Seasons. And when he doth so, there is ever after an especial Veneration due unto them. But to return.
Upon the Supposition that the Levitical Priests did receive Tithes, as well as Melchisedec, wherein they were equal; and that they received Tithes of their Brethren the Posterity of Abraham, which was their especial Prerogative and Dignity; he yet proveth by four Arguments that the Greatness he had assigned unto Melchisedec and his Preeminence above them, was no more than was due unto him. And the first of these is taken from the Consideration of his Person of whom he received Tithes, ver. 6. The Second from the Action of Benediction which accompanied his receiving of Tithes, ver. 7. The Third from the Condition and state of his own Person compared with all those who received Tithes according to the Law, ver. 8. And the Fourth from that which determines the whole Question, namely, that Levi himself, and so consequently all the whole Race of Priests that sprang from his Loyns, did thus pay Tithes unto him.
VER. 6, 7.
foreign.
The Aethiopick Translation omits those words, foreign. He takes up the Name Abraham in the fore-going Verse, who came forth out of the Loyns of Abraham; and adds unto them what follows in this, who received the Promise; possibly deceived by a maimed transcript of the Original.
foreign. Syr. foreign —He who is not written in their Genealogies; properly enough; for the Apostle speaks of the Genealogies that were Written and on Record in the Book of Genesis, wherein there is none of Melchisedec. And it is the Writing by Divine Inspiration that his Argument is founded on. Answ. Genealogisatus, Genealogised. Is cujus genus non recensetur ex illis; Whose Stock is not reckoned from them; or as Beza, Ad illos non refertur. Vul. Lat. Cujus Generatio non annumeratur in eis; That is as the Rhemists, He whose Generation is not Numbred among them. Nor whose Descent is not counted from them; putting Pedigree in the Margin. foreign, is, is cujus ortus, generatio, nativitas recensetur; whose Original, Nativity, Stock, Race, is reckoned up or Recorded.
foreign, from them, from among them; Vul. Lat. in eis, for, inter eos, among them, whose Generation is not Numbred among them. The meaning is, he was not of their Stock or Race; he sprang not of them, nor arose from among them.
foreign, decimas tulit, sumpsit, exegit, accepit, decimavit; foreign, is decimo, or decimam partem excerpo; to take out the Tenth part, foreign; Plut. in Camillo; ex spoliis hostium decimas excerpere, foreign with an Accusative case as here, is to receive Tithes of any; and foreign, in the same construction, is of the same signification, ver. 5. foreign. But absolutely it signifies to pay Tithes, or to give Tithes, not to receive them, Luke 18. 12. foreign, I Tithe all that I possess; that is, give Tithe out of it.