And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
Parallel translations
- WEB We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,
- BSB And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham.
- ESV One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham,
- NKJV Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak,
- NASB And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, has paid tithes,
- NLT In addition, we might even say that these Levites—the ones who collect the tithe—paid a tithe to Melchizedek when their ancestor Abraham paid a tithe to him.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
In a sense, Levi himself, who later receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham. Levi's priesthood is shown to be subordinate to Melchizedek.
Overview
The writer reasons that since Levi was descended from Abraham, when Abraham tithed to Melchizedek, Levi did so representatively. This argument, framed as 'we can say,' demonstrates the subordination of the Levitical priesthood to Melchizedek's order. It reinforces the supremacy of the priesthood Christ holds.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Rom 5:12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
- Gen 14:20And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
- Heb 7:4Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Hebrews is sustained worship of Christ: better than angels, Moses, and the priests; the great High Priest after Melchizedek who by one sacrifice perfects forever those he saves.
How Hebrews 7:9 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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