Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 7:13
For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
13. pertaineth ] Lit., “hath had part in.”
of which no man gave attendance at the altar ] Sacerdotal privileges were exclusively assigned to the tribe of Levi (Deu 10:8; Num 3:5-8). The attempt of King Uzziah, who was of the tribe of Judah, to assume priestly functions, had been terribly punished (2Ch 26:3-19).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
For he of whom these things are spoken – The Lord Jesus, the Messiah, to whom they had reference. The things here spoken of pertain to his office as priest; his being of the order of Melchizedek. The apostle here assumes it as a point concerning which there could be no dispute, that these things referred to the Lord Jesus. Those whom he addressed would not be disposed to call this in question, and his argument had conducted him to this conclusion.
Pertaineth to another tribe – To the tribe of Judah; Heb 7:14.
Of which no man gave attendance at the altar – The priestly office pertained only to the tribe of Levi. No one of the tribe of Judah had any part in the performance of the duties of that office. This was settled by the Jewish Law.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 13. For he of whom these things are spoken] That is, Jesus the Messiah, spoken of in Ps 110:4, who came, not from the tribe of Levi, but from the tribe of Judah, of which tribe no priest ever ministered at a Jewish altar, nor could minister according to the law.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe: that this priesthood was so altered, he proves by Christs being of another tribe than Levi. This is a periphrasis, describing the priest after Melchisedecs order. Of whom was this said in Psa 110:4, but of Christ, God-man, the royal High Priest of God? Mat 21:42. He, as to his human nature, descended of the tribe of Judah, and not of Levi; and so the Aaronical priesthood was ended by him, Heb 2:14; Gen 49:10.
Of which no man gave attendance at the altar; of which tribe none was at priest, whose work was to attend the altar, and offer sacrifice; if any of another tribe pretended to, or would usurp it, God either smote them, as Uzziah, 2Ch 26:18, or destroyed them, as those rebels, Num 16:1-3,28-35; neither was the priesthood hereby made tribual, or continued in any such tribe as in Levi, but confined to our Lord only, not because he descended of Judah, but extraordinarily selected of God out of it to discharge it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
13. Confirming the truth that achange is made of the law (Heb7:12), by another fact showing the distinctness of the newpriesthood from the Aaronic.
these things (Ps110:4).
pertainethGreek,“hath partaken of” (the perfect tense implies thecontinuance still of His manhood).
another“adifferent tribe” from that of Levi.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For he of whom these things are spoken,…. In Ps 110:4 and in the type of him Melchizedek, in the preceding verses; for not Melchizedek is here meant, but the Lord Jesus Christ, as appears by what follows; the antitype of Melchizedek, the Lord our righteousness, the Prince of peace, the priest of God, that lives for ever, without father, without mother, c.
pertaineth to another tribe the tribe of Judah, and not the tribe of Levi:
of which no man gave attendance at the altar; either of burnt offering or of incense; that is, no man waited there, or took upon him and exercised the priest’s office that was of the tribe of Judah: no man might lawfully do it; Uzziah, indeed, thrust himself into the priest’s office, who was of that tribe, and went into the temple and burnt incense upon the altar of incense; but then he had no right to do it, and was punished for it.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Belongeth to another tribe ( ). See 2:14 for , perfect active indicative here. A different () tribe.
Hath given attendance at (). Perfect active indicative (watch perfects in Hebrews, not “for” aorists) of , old verb, here with either (mind) or self () understood with dative case ( , the altar, for which word see Matt 5:23; Luke 1:11).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
As the law prescribed that the priesthood should be of the order of Aaron, a new priesthood, not of that order, must set aside the law. Pertaineth to another tribe [ ] . Lit. hath partaken of another tribe. Not only another, but a different tribe; one not specially set apart to sacerdotal service.
Of which no man gave attendance at the altar [ ] . Prosecein originally to bring to; bring the mind to; attend to. See on ch. Heb 2:1. qusiasthrion altar, o Class. Strictly an altar for the sacrifice of victims; but used of the altar of incense, Luk 1:11; Rev 8:3; comp. Exo 30:1. See on Act 17:23. It was also used of the enclosure in which the altar stood. See Ignat. Eph. v; Trall. Act 7 See Lightfoot’s interesting note, Ignatius and Polycarp, Vol 2 p. 43.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “For he of whom these things are spoken,” (eph’ hon gar lelti tauta) “For he with respect to whom these things are said,” that is Jesus Christ, who sanctified to the purifying of the soul, while the Levitical law priests sanctified only to the purifying of the flesh. Those obediently offering those law ministrations were delivered from temporal death.
2) “Pertaineth to another tribe,” (phules heteras metescheken) “Has partaken of another tribe,” of the tribe of Judah, not of the tribe of Levi, Luk 1:31-33; Luk 2:4; Luk 7:14.
3) “Of which no man gave attendance at the altar,” (aph’ hes oudeis prosescheken to thusiasteris) “From (among) which tribe (of Judah) no one (not one) has devoted himself to the altar-service,” No one had ever been attached to the altar or sacrifice service from the tribe of Judah, from which Jesus sprang; It was restricted by the law to Levites only, Num 3:5-8; Deu 10:8.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
13. For he of whom these things are spoken, or, said, (121) etc. As the Apostle was speaking to them who confessed Jesus the Son of Mary to be the Christ, he proves that an end was put to the ancient priesthood, because the new Priest, who had been set in the place of the old, was of another tribe, and not of Levi; for according to the Law the honor of the priesthood was to continue, by a special privilege, in that tribe. But he says that it was evident that Christ was born of the tribe of Judah, for it was then a fact commonly known. As then they acknowledged that he was the Christ, it was also necessary that they should be persuaded that he was the son of David; for he who had been promised could derive his origin from no other.
(121) Calvin renders “for ”, γὰρ, “doubtless — certe,” and Stuart, “now;” but it may better be rendered here, “for,” as a reason is given for a change in “the law” respecting the priesthood. The γὰρ in the former verse may be rendered “indeed,” or “wherefore” as by Macknight. In the 11 th verse, the Apostle proves the imperfection or defectiveness of the Levitical priesthood, by the promise of another priest after the order of Melchisedec for Christ was not of the tribe specified by the Law. — Ed
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(13) In Heb. 7:11 the other priest is spoken of as not connected with Aaron; Heb. 7:12 is interposed to show the serious significance of such a fact; here the assertion of Heb. 7:11 is substantiatednot, however, from the words of the Psalm, but from their fulfilment in Jesus.
Pertaineth.Literally, hath partaken of: the same word is used in Heb. 2:14, He also . . . . took part of the same.
Another tribe, of which no man gave . . .Better, a different tribe, from which no man hath given attendance at the altar. In comparison with Levi every tribe was not merely another, but essentially, in regard to the subject before us, a different tribe.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
13. And this accords with fact.
For he Christ.
These things In the psalmist.
Another tribe Than Levi.
No man altar Discharged priestly functions.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no man has given attendance at the altar.’
And this is demonstrated by the fact that that High Priest of Whom these things are said, our Lord Himself, is from a different tribe than Levi, a tribe from which no man has given attendance at the altar (has directly offered sacrifices), nor has the right to under the Law. If then He became High Priest the Law must in some way have been superseded, it must be under a different Law, a prior Law, a different way of managing things, a different ‘household economy’, a different stewardship, for under the old He could not be a priest. Indeed even the altar must have been superseded (compare Heb 13:10).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Heb 7:13. For he of whom these things are spoken Namely, the Christ, who was to be of the order of Melchisedec. This is another reason why the law was to be changed; for the priesthood being designed,not to be in the tribe of Levi, to which the law of Moses had absolutely and entirely fixed it, the change of the priesthood to one of another tribe must necessarily make a change in the law. Now Christ being the person all along designed to be this new priest, and he descending from Judah, the law itself, which confines its precepts to priests of the family of Abraham, must of consequence be changed.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Heb 7:13 . ] With regard to whom . Comp. Mar 9:12-13 ; Rom 4:9 .
] contains, like the of Heb 7:11 , a direct allusion to the declaration of God, Psa 110:4 . Wrongly Paulus: that which I have said heretofore.
] has part in another tribe ( i.e. in a tribe different from that of Levi), namely, as member thereof.
] descended from which , or belonging to the number of its members .
] no one , namely, according to the ordinance of the law, attends at the altar, i.e. performs the priestly functions.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
Heb 7:13-14 . First proof of Heb 7:12 . Levitical priesthood and Mosaic law have lost their validity. For Christ, to whom the utterance of God, Psa 110:4 , refers, belongs in point of fact to another tribe, which, according to Mosaic ordinance, has nothing to do with the administration of the priesthood.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
Ver. 13. Pertaineth to another tribe ] That of Judah,Heb 7:14Heb 7:14 , which therefore is first reckoned, Rev 7:5 , among those that were sealed; as of those that came by Rachel, Nepthalim hath the first place; because in that tribe Christ dwelt, viz. at Capernaum; Ut utrobique superemineat Christi proerogativa.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
13 .] Confirmation of the position that a change is made in the law, by another fact indicative of a change in the priesthood . For He with reference to whom (cf. reff.: and , Plato, Legg. ii. p. 667 D) these things (viz. the promise in Psa 110 .: not, these which I am now saying) are said, is member of ( hath taken part in : the perfect implying the enduring of His humanity) a different tribe (from that of Levi, which has been already sufficiently indicated in the preceding context), of which (sprung from which, coming from which, see reff.) no one hath (ever, to this day) given attention (applied himself, see ch. Heb 2:1 , note; and reff. So Demosth. p. 10. 25, : Xen. Mem. iv. 1. 2, : Polyn. p. 415, ) to the altar (i. e. as a general and normal practice, had any thing to do with the service of the priesthood).
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Heb 7:13 . This enormous change is in fact being made. . “For He with reference to whom this [110th Psa 4 ] is said hath partaken of another tribe from which no man hath given attendance at the altar”. Here for the first time definitely in this chapter the writer introduces the fulfilment of the Psalm. It was spoken of the Messiah, and He did not belong to the tribe of Levi, but , has thrown in his lot with, or become a member of ( cf. Heb 2:14 ) a tribe of a different kind from the Levitical (ver. Heb 11:11-12 ) being characterised by this, that from it issuing from which, not , [as in Heb 7:14 ] no one has given attendance at the altar. [ Cf. 1Ti 4:13 ; Act 20:28 ; Hdt., ix. 33, ; Thuc., i. 15, ; and the equivalent in 1Co 9:13 , .] It is doubtful whether the perfect can bear the meaning put upon it by Vaughan: “a striking suggestion of the identity of Christ in heaven with Christ upon earth”. So too Weiss. It might seem preferable to refer it with Burton (88) to the class of perfects which in the N.T. have an aorist sense, , , . So Weizscker “gehrte”; the Vulgate, however, has “de alia tribu est,” and cf. of Heb 7:14 . But the perfects are best accounted for as referring to the statement of the previous verse. This great change is being made, for he of whom the 110th Psalm was spoken has actually become a member of another tribe. The result reaches to the change of priesthood.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
of = on. Greek. epi. App-104.
pertaineth. Greek. metecho. See Heb 2:14.
no man = no one. Greek. oudeis.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
13.] Confirmation of the position that a change is made in the law, by another fact indicative of a change in the priesthood. For He with reference to whom (cf. reff.: and , Plato, Legg. ii. p. 667 D) these things (viz. the promise in Psalms 110.: not, these which I am now saying) are said, is member of (hath taken part in: the perfect implying the enduring of His humanity) a different tribe (from that of Levi, which has been already sufficiently indicated in the preceding context), of which (sprung from which, coming from which, see reff.) no one hath (ever, to this day) given attention (applied himself, see ch. Heb 2:1, note; and reff. So Demosth. p. 10. 25, : Xen. Mem. iv. 1. 2, : Polyn. p. 415, ) to the altar (i. e. as a general and normal practice, had any thing to do with the service of the priesthood).
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Heb 7:13. ) He, respecting whom these things are spoken by the Psalmist.-, belonged to, had part in) We have the same verb, ch. Heb 2:14.- , at the altar) Le vitical.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
, , .
, in quem. In quo, Vulg. Lat. , Syr.; for he concerning whom these things are spoken. For he on whom these things are said, Rhem., improperly. . Vulg., de alia tribu est; Rhem., is of another tribe: omitting the especial force of the word , though the substance of the sense be retained. Syr., , was born of another tribe. Particeps fuit, did derive his genealogy from, and so had his especial relation unto, another tribe. , ministravit, attendit. Vulg., praesto fuit. The Ethiopic, And if any one will say so, (or as one may say,) he placeth another tribe, because they kept not the altar; mistaking both the meaning of the design and sense of the apostles words.
Heb 7:13. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth unto another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
The causal conjunction, , doth not only intimate a pursuit of the foregoing argument, and the confirmation of the supposition whereon it was built, but also an entrance upon the express application of the whole precedent discourse unto the person of Jesus Christ, the true and only high priest of the church. In the words there is,
1. The subject to be further treated on described, : that is, , de quo, he concerning whom; quem designaverunt haec, ad quem haec pertinent, he who is designed in all these things, he unto whom they do all belong, he with respect unto whom , these things; that is, all that hath been spoken concerning Melchisedec and his priesthood, all things that do naturally follow and ensue thereon. For although sundry of them were spoken firstly and immediately concerning other persons and things, yet they all belong ultimately and perfectly unto Christ alone, whom they did represent and make way for. And we may observe hence,
Obs. 1. That it is our duty, in studying of the Scripture, to inquire diligently after the things which are spoken concerning Jesus Christ, and what is taught of him in them. This doth our apostle find out in all that was spoken concerning Melchisedec and the Levitical priesthood. This he himself gives in charge, Joh 5:39, Search the Scriptures: they are they which testify of me. Our principal aim in searching the Scriptures ought to be, that we may find out what they say and what they testify concerning Christ. And this was the practice of the prophets of old, with respect unto all the revelations which they received, 1Pe 1:10-12. Let the pains, and industry, and skill of men, in the reading and interpreting of the Scriptures, be what they will, without this design they will never rightly be understood, nor duly improved. For as those things which concern his person, office, and grace, with the mysteries of the wisdom of God in them all, are the principal subject of them; so all other things which are taught and revealed in them are never apprehended, unto any good end or purpose, unless their relation unto him and dependence upon him be rightly understood. Some are charged that they esteem no preaching but that which is concerning the person of Christ; which how false an accusation it is, their preaching and writings do discover. But this they say, indeed, (that is, some do so,) that seeing it is the design of God to gather all things into a head in Christ, that preaching is to little purpose which doth not more or less expressly evidence the relation of all truths and duties unto him.
2. It is added, , he pertaineth unto another tribe. To confirm his argument concerning the changing or abolition of the priesthood, the apostle supposeth the distribution of the people into tribes, according unto the number of the sons of Jacob. And as these tribes had a common interest in the church, so some of them had peculiar privileges granted and confirmed unto them by law. So the priesthood was granted, confined, and confirmed unto the tribe of Levi, and unto the family of Aaron in that tribe. And it was so confined thereunto, as that all the rest of the tribes were for ever excluded from any interest therein, and all that belonged unto them incapacitated therefor. But unto one of the tribes so excluded from an interest in the legal priesthood did He belong of whom these things are spoken. And this I look upon as the principal reason of the distinction of that people into their tribes; namely, that God thereby might provide for their instruction as to the continuance of the legal worship among them; which could be no longer continued than the priesthood was reserved unto that one tribe whereunto it was originally granted,
. See the meaning of the word in our exposition on Heb 2:14. His share, lot, and interest, lay in another tribe.
3. He describes in general this other tribe whereof he was, by its legal exclusion from all the service of the altar: Of which no man gave attendance at the altar. What tribe that was in particular he declares in the next verse, showing not only of what tribe he was, but also what it was necessary he should be. Another tribe, , whereof; from which none that was genealogized attended at the altar;that is, had right so to do, or was not forbidden by the law so to do. God doth not reckon that to be done in his service which he hath not appointed, much less which he hath forbidden. What other inroads were made on the sacerdotal office we know not; but one of the tribe here intended by the apostle, whereof none was to attend at the altar, did draw nigh to offer incense; for which he was rebuked by the high priest, and punished of God, 2Ch 26:16-21. And God exercised the greater severity herein, that the church might understand, that when he introduced and allowed of a priest of another tribe, that old priesthood must of necessity cease and be abolished. No man gave attendance; that is, had right so to do.
That expression, , attended, waited on the altar, may be a synecdochical description of the whole priestly office from the principal work and duty belonging thereunto. But I suppose the apostle may not only include the priests, unto whom the immediate work of sacrificing at the altar did belong, but all those who attended the services of it, though they could neither burn incense nor offer sacrifice; that is, all the Levites in their courses. For he so excludes the tribe whereof he speaks from the least relation unto the sacerdotal work or office. None of them ever did or might draw near nor minister at the altar, in any sacred services whatsoever. See 1Co 9:13.
This entrance doth the apostle make into the confirmation of his assertion, that the priesthood was changed, and therewithal the law. For it appears that there was to be a priest who had no right by the law so to be, seeing he was of that tribe which the law utterly excluded from any interest in the sacred services of the altar, and much more those which were peculiar unto the Aaronical priests. Thus,
Obs. 2. All mens rights, duties, and privileges, in sacred things, are fixed and limited by divine institution. And,
Obs. 3. Seeing Christ himself had no right to minister at the material altar, the re-introduction of such altars is inconsistent with the perpetual continuance of his priesthood.
Fuente: An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews
of which: Num 16:40, Num 17:5, 2Ch 26:16-21
Reciprocal: Joe 1:13 – ye ministers
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Heb 7:13. These things refers to the statements about another priest who was to bring a change in the law. That priest belonged to another tribe, which had nothing to do with the altar service.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Heb 7:13. The writer now proves the completeness of the change of the priesthood.
For he of whom (not to whom, Dr. J. Brown and others, the preposition being used to denote that to which a word or thing refers) these things (the words in Psalms 110) are said (see the end of Heb 7:11) hath partaken of (better than pertaineth), hath become a member of, a different tribe (the words describe an already existing fact, and intimate that he had joined the tribe), of which tribe no man hath ever (the full force of the corrected text) given attendance (the word means to bestow labour or attention upon anything, see 1Ti 4:13) at the altar.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
In the foregoing verses, our apostle had asserted the change of the Priesthood, and there with the changing of the law. In these verses he proves it by the translation of the Priesthood, and therewith the changing of the law. In these verses he proves it by the translation of the Priesthood to another tribe; namely, from Levi to Judah. The Levitical Priesthood was confined to one certain tribe, that of Levi, and to one certain family, that of Aaron:
Whence it follows, that the tribe being changed, and God having instituted a Priest of another tribe, the Priesthood must be changed also. Now it being evident, that Christ sprang not of the Tribe of Levi, but out of Judah, the apostle from the changing of the tribe, strongly infers the change of the Priesthood.
Note here, 1. How it was a fruit of the manifold wisdom of God, and a very great mercy and favour to give the law, but a far greater to take it away.
2. If under the law, the whole worship of God did so depend on the Priesthood, that that failing, the whole worship was to cease, as being no more acceptable to God, how much more will all worship under the New Testament be rejected by him, if there be not a due regard therein to our Lord Jesus Christ, as the great and only High Priest of his church.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Verse 13
He of whom these things are spoken; that is, he who is the subject of this comparison with Melchisedec.–Another tribe; the tribe of Judah.–Gave attendance, &c.; served as priest. The priests were all of the tribe of Levi.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
7:13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man {f} gave attendance at the altar.
(f) Had anything to do with the altar.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Further confirmation of this change is the prophecy that Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah, not from the priestly tribe of Levi (Gen 49:10; Mic 5:2; Isa 11:1).