[a]Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the Patriarch Abraham gave the tithe of the spoils.

For verily they which are the children of Levi, which receive the office of the Priesthood, have a (A)commandment to take, according to the Law, tithes of the people (that is, of their brethren) though they [b]came out of the loins of Abraham.

But he whose kindred is not counted among them, received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

And [c]without all contradiction the less is blessed of the greater.

And here men that die, receive tithes: but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed, that he liveth.

[d]And to say as the thing is, Levi also which receiveth tithes, payeth tithes in Abraham.

10 For he was yet in the loins of his father Abraham, when Melchizedek met him.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 7:4 Another figure: Melchizedek in consideration of his Priesthood was above Abraham, for he took tenths of him, and blessed him as a Priest: Such an one indeed is Christ, upon whom dependeth even Abraham’s sanctification, and all the believers, and whom all men ought to worship and reverence as the author of all.
  2. Hebrews 7:5 Were begotten by Abraham.
  3. Hebrews 7:7 He speaketh of the public blessing which the Priests used.
  4. Hebrews 7:9 A double amplification: The first, that Melchizedek took the tenths, as one immortal (to wit, in respect, that he is the figure of Christ, for his death is in no place made mention of, and David setteth him forth as an everlasting Priest) but the Levitical Priests, as mortal men, for they succeed one another: the second, that Levi himself was tithed in Abraham by Melchizedek. Therefore the Priesthood of Melchizedek (that is, Christ’s who is pronounced to be an everlasting Priest according to his order) is more excellent than the Levitical.

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