Hebrews 7:9

9 We might even say that Levi, who receives a tenth, also paid it when Abraham paid Melchizedek a tenth.

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 Now everyone knows that the more important person blesses the less important person.

8 Priests receive a tenth, even though they are only men who live and then die. But Melchizedek, who received a tenth from Abraham, continues living, as the Scripture says.

9 We might even say that Levi, who receives a tenth, also paid it when Abraham paid Melchizedek a tenth.

10 Levi was not yet born, but he was in the body of his ancestor when Melchizedek met Abraham.

11 The people were given the lawn based on a system of priests from the tribe of Levi, but they could not be made perfect through that system. So there was a need for another priest to come, a priest like Melchizedek, not Aaron.