Hebrews 7:9

And as I may so say, Leui also who receiueth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. Hebrews 7:9 (KJV)

Hebrews 7:9 is part of a larger passage in the book of Hebrews that discusses the superiority of the priesthood of Melchizedek over the Levitical priesthood. In this verse, the author of Hebrews makes a point about the significance of Melchizedek’s priesthood by referring to the practice of tithing. “And here men that die receive tithes, but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, paid tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him” (Hebrews 7:8‑10, KJV). The author contrasts the earthly priests who receive tithes (referring to the Levitical priests) with the mysterious figure of Melchizedek, who is described as one who lives. The author then draws attention to the fact that Levi, who would later become the ancestor of the Levitical priesthood, paid tithes to Melchizedek through his ancestor Abraham. The significance is emphasized by pointing out that Levi, the ancestor of the Levitical priesthood, would later belong to a priestly line that received tithes, whereas Abraham, before the establishment of that line, paid tithes to Melchizedek. This argument establishes the superiority of Melchizedek’s priesthood over the Levitical priesthood since even the ancestor of the Levites, Levi, acknowledged Melchizedek’s authority and priesthood by paying tithes to him through Abraham. The priesthood of Melchizedek, without any ancestral limitations or beginning or end of days, foreshadows the eternal and perfect priesthood of Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews develops this comparison to demonstrate that Jesus Christ, being from the order of Melchizedek (as later discussed in Hebrews 7:11‑28), holds a superior and eternal priesthood compared to the Levitical priesthood.