8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
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.
8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives.
8 Or look at it this way: We pay our tithes to priests who die, but Abraham paid tithes to a priest who, the Scripture says, "lives."
8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.
8 The priests who collect tithes are men who die, so Melchizedek is greater than they are, because we are told that he lives on.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Hebrews 7:8
Commentary on Hebrews 7:4-10
(Read Hebrews 7:4-10)
That High Priest who should afterward appear, of whom Melchizedec was a type, must be much superior to the Levitical priests. Observe Abraham's great dignity and happiness; that he had the promises. That man is rich 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 receive the Lord Jesus. Let us go forth in our spiritual conflicts, trusting in his word and strength, ascribing our victories to his grace, and desiring to be met and blessed by him in all our ways.