Hebrews 7:9

9 And Levi too--if I may so speak--pays tithes through Abraham:

Hebrews 7:9 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 7:9

And as l may so say
With truth, and with great propriety and pertinence:

Levi also who receiveth tithes;
or the Levites, who receive tithes according to the law of Moses from the people of Israel:

paid tithes in Abraham;
that is, to Melchizedek; and therefore Melchizedek must be greater than they, and his priesthood a more excellent one than theirs; since they who receive tithes from others gave tithes to him.

Hebrews 7:9 In-Context

7 And beyond all dispute it is always the inferior who is blessed by the superior.

8 Moreover here frail mortal men receive tithes: there one receives them about whom there is evidence that he is alive.

9 And Levi too--if I may so speak--pays tithes through Abraham:

10 for Levi was yet in the loins of his forefather when Melchizedek met Abraham.

11 Now if the crowning blessing was attainable by means of the Levitical priesthood--for as resting on this foundation the people received the Law, to which they are still subject-- what further need was there for a Priest of a different kind to be raised up belonging to the order of Melchizedek instead of being said to belong to the order of Aaron?