Revised Standard Version‘s “For” can have one of three functions:
(a) To link 7.1-3 with 6.20. However, this is done quite adequately by the word This.
(b) To make the whole of 7.1-3 a conclusion following from 6.19-20, that is, “all this is true because Melchizedek is like the Son of God.” This is unlikely, and in any case can only be brought out if 7.1-3 is translated as a single sentence.
(c) Jerusalem Bible interprets the word translated “For” to introduce a conclusion to be drawn from Genesis 14, and so begins “you remember that Melchizedek…” (with verse 4 beginning “Now think how great this man must have been…”); compare Knox “It was this Melchisedech.” This is possible, but it is probably an overinterpretation. The Greek conjunction is common and not emphasized.

Function (a) is best, in which case “For” may be omitted, as in Good News Translation.

The Hebrew word for Salem (Gen 14.18) is used also in Psalm 76. Salem is probably an old word for Jerusalem. However, there is no point here in using the more familiar name, since the writer of Hebrews is not interested in identifying the place but in noting that Salem means Peace (verse 2). It may, however, be important to identify the fact that Salem was a city rather than a country, and therefore one may translate This Melchizedek was king of Salem as “This person Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem.”

Whatever the title the Most High God may have meant before it was used in biblical writings, there is no suggestion that, for the writer of Hebrews, God is only the highest among many gods. Such an idea should be avoided in translation. Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible, and Translator’s New Testament have “God Most High”; French translations have “the very high God”; and Bijbel in Gewone Taal, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “God the all-highest.” In some languages it may be possible to say, for example, “God who is supreme” or “God who is very great,” but for the writer it is already a traditional expression and carries no special emphasis.

A priest of the Most High God will often have to be expressed as “a priest who served the Most High God” or “… God who is above all.” In some instances the Most High God may be rendered as “God over whom there is no one” or “God than whom there is no one greater.”

Rather than the extended expression from the battle in which he defeated the four kings, it may be more appropriate to translate “from having defeated the four kings.” This may be combined with the first part of the same sentence as “As Abraham was returning after having defeated the four kings.”

In English the use of the phrase the four kings with the article the would suggest that these four kings are already known to the readers. This would be true for the first readers of Hebrews, but for most present-day readers it may be better to say “after having defeated four kings.”

A literal rendering of As Abraham was coming back from the battle in which he defeated the four kings might suggest that Abraham single-handedly defeated four kings. It may therefore be necessary to say “in which he and his followers defeated four kings.” And since the four kings were not alone, it may be better to say “defeated the armies of four kings” or “… four kings and their army.” A marginal reference to Genesis 14.17-20 may be added, as in Good News Translation.

In this context the expression blessed him may be rendered as “prayed to God on behalf of him.” It is important to indicate that whatever Melchizedek did or said carried certain supernatural sanctions or powers. Sometimes this may be done by rendering blessed him as “used words which brought God’s favor upon Abraham.”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Letter of the Hebrews. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .