Hebrews 7:10

10 Because he was still in his father's body when Melchizedek came to him.

Hebrews 7:10 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 7:10

For he was yet in the loins of his father
Abraham; namely, Levi and his whole posterity; which is to be understood seminally, just as all mankind were in the loins of Adam, when he sinned and fell, and so they sinned and fell in him; and so Levi was in Abraham's loins,

when Melchisedec met him;
which, as it proves Melchizedek to be greater than Levi, and much more Jesus Christ, who is a priest of his order, which is the grand thing the apostle has in view; so it serves to illustrate several points of doctrine, in which either of the public heads, Adam and Christ, are concerned, with respect to their seed and offspring; such as personal election in Christ, an eternal donation of all blessings of grace to the elect in him, eternal justification in him, the doctrine of original sin, and the saints' crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and session in Christ, and together with him.

Hebrews 7:10 In-Context

8 Now at the present time, men over whom death has power take the tenth; but then it was taken by one of whom it is witnessed that he is living.

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

10 Because he was still in his father's body when Melchizedek came to him.

11 Now if it was possible for things to be made complete through the priests of the house of Levi (for the law was given to the people in connection with them), what need was there for another priest who was of the order of Melchizedek and not of the order of Aaron?

12 Because if the priests are changed, it is necessary to make a change in the law.