John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And here men that die receive tithes , etc.,] The priests and Levites were not only men, and mortal men, subject to death, but they did die, and so did not continue, by reason of death, ( Hebrews 7:24) but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth ; which is to be understood of Melchizedek; who is not opposed to men, as if he was not a man, nor to mortal men, but to men that die; nor is he said to be immortal, but to live: and this may respect the silence of the Scripture concerning him, which gives no account of his death; and may be interpreted of the perpetuity of his priesthood, and of his living in his antitype Christ; and the testimony concerning him is in ( <19B004> Psalm 110:4).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 4-10 - That High Priest who should afterward appear, of whom Melchizedec was type, must be much superior to the Levitical priests. Observe Abraham' great dignity and happiness; that he had the promises. That man is ric and happy indeed, who has the promises, both of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This honour have all those who receiv the Lord Jesus. Let us go forth in our spiritual conflicts, trusting in his word and strength, ascribing our victories to his grace, an desiring to be met and blessed by him in all our ways.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ ωδε 5602 ADV μεν 3303 PRT δεκατας 1181 A-APF αποθνησκοντες 599 5723 V-PAP-NPM ανθρωποι 444 N-NPM λαμβανουσιν 2983 5719 V-PAI-3P εκει 1563 ADV δε 1161 CONJ μαρτυρουμενος 3140 5746 V-PPP-NSM οτι 3754 CONJ ζη 2198 5719 V-PAI-3S
Vincent's NT Word Studies
8. Here (wde). In the Levitical economy.Men that die receive tithes. The emphasis is on ajpoqnhskontev dying. The Levites are dying men, who pass away in due course, and are succeeded by others.
But there (ekei de). In the case of Melchisedec.
(He receiveth them of whom) it is witnessed that he liveth (marturoumenov oti zh). The Greek is very condensed: being attested that he liveth. The A.V. fills it out correctly. Melchisedec does not appear in Scripture as one who dies, and whose office passes to another. See on abideth continually, ver. 3.
