Hebrews 7:9
7 And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.
8 In the case of the Levites, mortal men collect the tenth; but in the case of Melchizedek, it is affirmed that he lives on.
And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham.
10 For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.
11 Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?
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
- 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.
- WEB
- We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,
- ASV
- And, so to say, through Abraham even Levi, who receiveth tithes, hath paid tithes;
- DARBY
- and, so to speak, through Abraham, Levi also, who received tithes, has been made to pay tithes.
- BLB
- and so to say a word, even Levi, the one receiving the tenths, has paid the tenth through Abraham.
- ÅB
- Og om jeg så må si: Ved Abraham er endog Levi, som tar tiende, blitt lagt i tiende;
- OTB
- Så å si, gjennom Abraham har til og med Levi, som mottar tiender, betalt tiender,
- B1930
- Og om jeg så må si: Ved Abraham er endog Levi, som tar tiende, blitt lagt i tiende;
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.
Read in contextGenesis 14:20
and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.
Read in contextHebrews 7:4
Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.
Read in context