Levi Still in His Father Hebrews 7:10

“Levi”, according to the writer of Hebrews, “received tithes” of all the other tribes of Israel, however, he also “paid tithes” in “Abraham” . In chapter seven and verse ten of Hebrews the writer shares about how “Levi” “was yet in the loins of his father” where we read:

For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

The verse begins, “For he was yet in the loins of his father,...”. The writer began with the word, “For he was” which means “because, even, indeed, seeing then, no doubt and therefore Levi was”, “yet in the loins” or “still in the place where the Hebrews thought was the generative power” “of his father” which means “Levi's generator or male ancestor”. The writer referred to “Levi” who was not yet born in this example.

The verse goes on to say, “when Melchisedec met him”. The writer continued, “when Melchisedec” or “at the time the king of righteousness who was the king of Salem and priest of the most high God who lived in the days of Abraham” “met him” which means “befell or happened before Abraham”. The writer's reference time was when “Melchisedec” met “Abraham” after he defeated the foes of Sodom and Gomorrah.

When we meditate upon these words in Hebrews, we see how “Levi” was not even born when “Abraham” met “Melchisedec”. Tithes were received by “Levi” later by the commandment of God, however, “Abraham” paid tithes to “Melchisedec” and in effect, paid for “Levi” as well. This idea shows the superiority of Jesus who was revealed in the Old Testament as “Melchisedec” or as a “theophany”. When we realize how wonderful Jesus Christ is, we can do no better than to receive Him as our “great high priest” who is greater than all who came before Him.

Next time the writer questions “if therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood” “what further need was there that another priest should rise”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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