Hebrews 7:9

We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

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.

KJV

And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

ASV

And, so to say, through Abraham even Levi, who receiveth tithes, hath paid tithes;

BBE

And we may say that in Abraham, even Levi, who has a right to take the tenth part, gave it;

Original Greek

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καὶ kai And G2532 ὡς hōs so G5613 ἔπος epos a word G2031 εἰπεῖν eipein to speak G2036 δι di᾽ through G1223 Ἀβραὰμ Abraam Abraham G11 καὶ kai also G2532 Λευὶ Leui Levi G3017 ὁ ho the [one] G3588 δεκάτας dekatas tithes G1182 λαμβάνων lambanōn receiving G2983 δεδεκάτωται dedekatōtai has paid the tithe G1183

The early church

How? "For he was yet in his loins when Melchisedec met him," i.e. Levi was in him, although he was not yet born. And he said not the Levites but Levi. Hast thou seen the superiority? Hast thou seen how great is the interval between Abraham and Melchisedec, who bears the type of our High Priest? And he shows that the superiority had been caused by authority, not necessity. For the one paid the tithe, which indicates the priest: the other gave the blessing, which indicates the superior. This superiority passes on also to the descendants. In a marvelous and triumphant way he cast out the Jewish system. On this account he said, "Ye are become dull," because he wished to lay these foundations, that they might not start away. Such is the wisdom of Paul, first preparing them well, he so leads them into what he wishes. For the human race is hard to persuade, and needs much attention, even more than plants. Since in that case there is only the nature of material bodies, and earth, which yields to the hands of the husbandmen: but in this there is will, which is liable to many alterations, and now prefers this, now that. For it quickly turns to evil.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Hebrews

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 4–10

That High Priest who should afterward appear, of whom Melchizedec was a type, must be much superior to the Levitical priests. Observe Abraham's great dignity and happiness; that he had the promises. That man is rich and happy indeed, who has the promises, both of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This honour have all those who receive the Lord Jesus. Let us go forth in our spiritual conflicts, trusting in his word and strength, ascribing our victories to his grace, and desiring to be met and blessed by him in all our ways.

Read Matthew Henry on Hebrews 7 →

Cross-references

3

People & places

AbrahamLevi

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.