What Does Hebrews 7:13 Mean in the King James?

For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
Hebrews 7:13 · KJV
The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

Priestly belonging can come through a tribe whose members have no service at the altar.

The one named here shares in another tribe, whose members have no service at the altar. The verse reveals priestly standing through a lineage with no claim to altar attendance.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that priestly access must come only through the tribe already authorized to serve at the altar.

μετέσχηκεν

meteschēken

GROWS FROM

ἔχω

echō

to have, hold, or possess

Both Greek verbs rendered “pertaineth” and “gave attendance” grow from ⁨ἔχω⁩ (echō, to have or hold): ⁨μετέχω⁩ (metechō, to share in) and ⁨προσέχω⁩ (prosechō, to attend to or turn toward). The verse sets shared belonging beside directed service: he belongs to a tribe whose members do not attend the altar.

ALSO GROWS

metechō: to share in, partake

μετέχω

This is the verb behind “pertaineth”; it frames his tribal belonging as sharing in a lineage.

prosechō: to attend to, turn toward

προσέχω

This is the verb behind “gave attendance”; the same root links belonging to the distinct act of serving at the altar.

katechō: to hold fast, retain

κατέχω

This branch shows the wider range of ⁨ἔχω⁩: holding something, sharing in it, or directing oneself toward it.

Priestly authority can come through a lineage outside the tribe assigned to altar service.

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
Genesis 14:18 · KJVThe verse names a priest whose standing is not tied to the tribe assigned to serve at the altar.
The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Psalm 110:4 · KJVThe verse presents enduring priesthood through the order of Melchizedek.
For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Hebrews 7:14 · KJVJudah is named as the tribe from which the Lord comes, though Moses assigns it no priestly service.
For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Hebrews 7:14 · KJV

The same Greek word ⁨φυλή⁩ (phylē, tribe) appears in both verses. Verse 14 names Judah and shows which tribe verse 13 calls “another,” bringing that unexpected lineage into view.

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Hebrews 7:13 KJV Meaning