Hebrews 7:5

3 Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.

4 Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.

Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.

6 But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.

7 And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.
KJV
And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
WEB
They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham,
ASV
And they indeed of the sons of Levi that receive the priest`s office have commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though these have come out of the loins of Abraham:
DARBY
And they indeed from among the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is from their brethren, though these are come out of the loins of Abraham:
BLB
And indeed, those out from the sons of Levi receiving the priesthood have a commandment to take a tenth from the people, according to the law—that is, from their brothers, though having come forth out of the loin of Abraham.
ÅB
Og mens de av Levis barn som får prestedømmet, har et bud om å ta tiende etter loven av folket, det er av sine brødre, skjønt disse er kommet av Abrahams lend,
OTB
Etterkommerne av Levi som mottar prestedømmet har et bud i Loven om å samle inn en tidel fra folket, det vil si fra sine med-israelitter, selv om de også stammer fra Abraham.
B1930
Og mens de av Levis barn som får prestedømmet, har et bud om å ta tiende efter loven av folket, det er av sine brødre, skjønt disse er kommet av Abrahams lend,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Leviticus 27:30–33

    Thus any tithe from the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.

    Read in context
  • 2 Chronicles 31:4–6

    Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to make a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 16:10–11

    He has brought you near, you and all your fellow Levites, but you are seeking the priesthood as well.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 18:21–32

    Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 17:3–10

    and write Aaron’s name on the staff of Levi, because there must be one staff for the head of each tribe.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 8:19

    Nevertheless, you are not the one to build it; but your son, your own offspring, will build the house for My Name.’

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 7:10

    For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.

    Read in context
  • Nehemiah 13:10

    I also learned that because the portions for the Levites had not been given to them, all the Levites and singers responsible for performing the service had gone back to their own fields.

    Read in context