Yehudim in Moshiach 7:1-10

Orthodox Jewish Bible

7 For this MALKITZEDEK MELECH SHALEM KOHEN L’EL ELYON, the one "having met Avraham Avinu ACHAREI SHUVO ("after returning") from the slaughter of "the kings and having blessed him", BERESHIS 14:17-20)

² With whom also "AVRAHAM avinu apportioned MA’ASER MIKOL (a tithe of everything." As for his Name, it is rendered "King of Tzedek (Righteousness)" and then also "Melech of SHALOM."

³ Without Av, without Em, without Yichus, having neither a techillah (beginning) leyamim (to days) of him nor a Ketz HaChayyim, but resembling HaBen HaElohim, he remains a “kohen perpetually,” (Ps 110:4).

⁴ Now consider how great among the Gedolim this one was to whom also Avraham Avinu gave from his booty a ma’aser (tithe).

⁵ And the ones of the Bnei Levi have received the Kehunah (Priesthood) and they have a mitzvah to collect the ma’aser (tithe) from the Am Brit, and they have this mitzvah according to the Torah, that is, to collect from their achim, though these also are descended from the loins of Avraham Avinu.

⁶ But, this man, though not tracing his descent from them, has received ma’aser (tithe) from Avraham Avinu and has given a bracha to the one having the havtachot (promises).

⁷ Now it is beyond all argument that the greater gives a bracha to the lesser.

⁸ Notice, in one case, ma’aser are received by mortal men; in the other case, ma’aser are received by one of whom we have solemn eidus (testimony) that hu Chai ("he lives!").

⁹ One could even go so far as to say that even Levi, who receives ma’aser, has paid ma’aser through Avraham Avinu,

¹⁰ For Levi was still in the loins of his ancestor Avraham when Malki-Tzedek met Avraham Avinu.