1181. dekaté

Lexical Summary

dekaté: Tithe, tenth

Original Word: δεκάτη
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: dekaté
Pronunciation: deh-KAH-tay
Phonetic Spelling: (dek-at'-ay)
KJV: tenth (part), tithe
NASB: tithes, tenth, tenth part
Word Origin: [feminine of G1182 (δέκατος - tenth)]

1. a tenth, i.e. as a percentage
2. (technically) a tithe

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

tenth, tithe.

Feminine of dekatos; a tenth, i.e. As a percentage or (technically) tithe -- tenth (part), tithe.

see GREEK dekatos

HELPS Word-studies

1181 dekátē – properly, a tenth (a tenth part), a tithe; (figuratively) "the first part" standing for the whole, i.e. entire consecration (totality).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from deka
Definition
a tenth part, a tithe
NASB Translation
tenth (1), tenth part (1), tithes (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1181: δεκάτῃ

δεκάτῃ, δεκάτης, ἡ (δέκατος), the tenth part of anything, a tithe; specially the tenth part of booty taken from the enemy: Hebrews 7:2, 4; the tithes of the fruits of the earth and of the flocks, which, by the law of Moses, were presented to the Levites in the congregation of Israel: Hebrews 7:8f (In Greek writings from (Simonides 133 Bgk.; Herodotus 2, 135); 4, 152 down; the Sept. for מַעֲשֵׂר.) (Cf. BB. DD. under the word .)

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Background

The principle of dedicating a tenth of one’s increase to God emerges early in the scriptural record. Genesis 14:20 recounts Abram presenting “a tenth of everything” to Melchizedek, establishing a voluntary act of worship before the Mosaic Law formalized tithing (Leviticus 27:30). Later, the tithe was divinely appointed to sustain the Levitical priesthood (Numbers 18:21) and to foster covenant faithfulness among the tribes (Deuteronomy 14:22-29; Malachi 3:8-10). This backdrop prepares the way for the concentrated New Testament treatment found in Hebrews 7, where Strong’s Greek 1181 appears.

Occurrences in Hebrews 7

Hebrews 7 employs the term four times to spotlight the tithe Abram gave Melchizedek and to argue for Christ’s superior priesthood:

• Hebrews 7:2 – “and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything”, highlighting Melchizedek’s unique status.
• Hebrews 7:4 – “Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!”, calling readers to contemplate Melchizedek’s exalted dignity.
• Hebrews 7:8 – “In the one case, mortal men receive tithes; but in the other case, it is testified that he lives on”, contrasting dying Levitical priests with the abiding priesthood typified in Melchizedek.
• Hebrews 7:9 – “And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tithes, paid the tithe through Abraham”, underscoring the subordination of the Levitical line to the Melchizedekian order.

Theological Significance

1. Foreshadowing Christ. Hebrews 7 treats Melchizedek as a type whose reception of Abram’s tenth prefigures the majesty and perpetuity of Jesus Christ’s priesthood. Because the patriarch honored Melchizedek, all his descendants, even Levi, are portrayed as submitting to a greater priestly authority embodied ultimately in Christ.
2. Superiority of the New Covenant. The author reasons that if the Levitical priesthood, which relied on tithes for sustenance, acknowledged a superior order, then the covenant inaugurated by Christ eclipses the provisions and limitations of the Mosaic Law.
3. Eternal Mediation. “It is testified that he lives on” (Hebrews 7:8) links the ongoing reception of the tithe to a living priest—fulfilled in the resurrected and ascended Lord who “always lives to intercede” (Hebrews 7:25).

Continuity and Discontinuity under the New Covenant

While Hebrews underscores the surpassing priesthood of Jesus, it neither mandates nor abolishes tithing in explicit legislative terms. Instead, it presents the tithe as an illustrative pledge of honor to a greater priest—inviting believers to embrace generous, cheerful stewardship (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). Voluntary, Spirit-led giving becomes the norm, yet the proportion of a tenth remains a time-tested benchmark for many Christians seeking disciplined devotion.

Historical Reception in the Church

• Early Church Fathers (e.g., Irenaeus, Tertullian) viewed Abram’s tithe as a prototype for Christian generosity.
• Medieval practice institutionalized tithes for clergy support and relief of the poor, sometimes veering into legalism.
• Reformation voices reaffirmed the tithe as a scriptural principle, though insisting on freedom of conscience.
• Modern evangelical missions rely on systematic giving—often patterned on the tenth—to fund gospel advance, echoing Hebrews 7’s message that resources entrusted to the Church testify to the living ministry of Christ.

Ministry and Discipleship Considerations

1. Worship: Like Abram, believers honor Christ’s lordship by dedicating firstfruits, acknowledging His ultimate ownership.
2. Witness: Faithful giving authenticates the gospel, demonstrating confidence in a priest-king who reigns eternally.
3. Support of Ministry: Just as tithes sustained Levitical service, systematic generosity undergirds teaching, pastoral care, and global evangelism today.
4. Formation: Practicing proportionate giving trains the heart away from materialism and toward reliance on God’s sufficiency.

Key Cross-References

Genesis 14:18-20; Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:21-24; Deuteronomy 14:22-29; 2 Chronicles 31:5-6; Nehemiah 10:35-39; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Hebrews 7:1-10; Hebrews 7:25.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 1181 depicts more than a fractional offering; it serves as a theological signpost directing readers from Abram’s ancient act of homage to the present, living ministry of Jesus Christ. Within Hebrews 7, the tithe validates the supremacy of the Melchizedekian—and therefore Christ’s—priesthood, motivating the Church to respond with wholehearted, grateful stewardship in every generation.

Forms and Transliterations

δεκάτα δέκατα δεκάταις δεκατας δεκάτας δεκάτη δέκατη δεκατην δεκάτην δεκάτης δέκατον δέκατος δεκάτου δεκάτω δεκάτων dekatas dekátas dekaten dekatēn dekáten dekátēn

Englishman's Concordance

Hebrews 7:2 Adj-AFS
GRK: ᾧ καὶ δεκάτην ἀπὸ πάντων
NAS: apportioned a tenth part of all
KJV: Abraham gave a tenth part of all;
INT: to whom also a tenth of all

Hebrews 7:4 Adj-AFS
GRK: ᾧ καὶ δεκάτην Ἀβραὰμ ἔδωκεν
NAS: gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.
KJV: Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
INT: to whom even a tenth Abraham gave

Hebrews 7:8 Adj-AFP
GRK: ὧδε μὲν δεκάτας ἀποθνήσκοντες ἄνθρωποι
NAS: receive tithes, but in that case
KJV: that die receive tithes; but there
INT: here indeed tithes dying men

Hebrews 7:9 Adj-AFP
GRK: Λευὶ ὁ δεκάτας λαμβάνων δεδεκάτωται
NAS: who received tithes, paid tithes,
KJV: who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in
INT: Levi who tithes receives has been tithed

Strong's Greek 1181
4 Occurrences

δεκάτας — 2 Occ.
δεκάτην — 2 Occ.