Hebrews 7:4-10
4: Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.
5: And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham.
6: But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.
7: But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.
8: In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on.
9: And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes,
10: for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
Continuing his discussion on Melchizedek, Paul said to consider how great this man was to whom Abraham—the father of the Jews—gave a tithe from the best of the spoils. This was long before the institution of tithing through the Levitical priesthood. The priests under the Law of Moses were from the tribe of Levi—the great grandson of Abraham. It was over 400 years after Abraham met Melchizedek before the Law was given and the Levitical priesthood established. Aaron, a descendent of Levi was the first high priest of the Levitical priesthood.
Under the Law, only the Levites performed the duties of the priesthood, so God gave them all the tithe of Israel for their inheritance in exchange for their service (Numbers 18:21). They received no land for their inheritance like the other tribes did. Paul pointed out that even though the Levites—descendants of the patriarch Abraham—would be the ones to collect tithes from their brethren years later, they were not as great as the timeless priest that Abraham gave tithes to, the one with no Levitical genealogy.
The greater one—Melchizedek—blessed the lesser one—Abraham. This blessing represents a divine blessing, which we know was given to Abraham by God already; but it was also a sign that the priesthood of Melchizedek was a foreshadowing of the priesthood of Christ, and superior to the Levitical priesthood.
Under the Levitical priesthood, tithes were given to mortal men—the Levites. But under the priesthood of Melchizedek, tithes are given to one who represents He who lives eternally—Christ. The mortal pays tithes, and is subject to, the immortal. Making even the mortal Levites subject to the Priest who lives forever—Jesus Christ. This makes the New Testament—the new covenant and gospel of Christ—greater than the Law of Moses.
Paul is made this point to the Hebrews so they could understand that this was God’s plan all along—to bring Christ—an eternal High Priest—to be the savior of all people. His plan all along was for all nations to receive the gift of salvation. He did this by showing how the Old Testament Scripture weaves so beautifully together with the gospel of Christ.
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Continuing his discussion on Melchizedek, Paul said to consider how great this man was to whom Abraham—the father of the Jews—gave a tithe from the best of the spoils. This was long before the institution of tithing through the Levitical priesthood. The priests under the Law of Moses were from the tribe of Levi—the great grandson of Abraham. It was over 400 years after Abraham met Melchizedek before the Law was given and the Levitical priesthood established. Aaron, a descendent of Levi was the first high priest of the Levitical priesthood.
Under the Law, only the Levites performed the duties of the priesthood, so God gave them all the tithe of Israel for their inheritance in exchange for their service (Numbers 18:21). They received no land for their inheritance like the other tribes did. Paul pointed out that even though the Levites—descendants of the patriarch Abraham—would be the ones to collect tithes from their brethren years later, they were not as great as the timeless priest that Abraham gave tithes to, the one with no Levitical genealogy.
The greater one—Melchizedek—blessed the lesser one—Abraham. This blessing represents a divine blessing, which we know was given to Abraham by God already; but it was also a sign that the priesthood of Melchizedek was a foreshadowing of the priesthood of Christ, and superior to the Levitical priesthood.
Under the Levitical priesthood, tithes were given to mortal men—the Levites. But under the priesthood of Melchizedek, tithes are given to one who represents He who lives eternally—Christ. The mortal pays tithes, and is subject to, the immortal. Making even the mortal Levites subject to the Priest who lives forever—Jesus Christ. This makes the New Testament—the new covenant and gospel of Christ—greater than the Law of Moses.
Paul is made this point to the Hebrews so they could understand that this was God’s plan all along—to bring Christ—an eternal High Priest—to be the savior of all people. His plan all along was for all nations to receive the gift of salvation. He did this by showing how the Old Testament Scripture weaves so beautifully together with the gospel of Christ.
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