Hebrews 7:9

Hebrews 7:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
• English Standard Version (ESV)One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham,
• New King James Version (NKJV)Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak,
• New Living Translation (NLT)In addition, we might even say that these Levites—the ones who collect the tithe—paid a tithe to Melchizedek when their ancestor Abraham paid a tithe to him.

Context of Hebrews 7:9

7And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor. 11If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?

Hebrews 7:9 word by word

καὶ ὡς ἔπος εἰπεῖν· δι᾽ Ἀβραὰμ καὶ Λευὶ ὁ δεκάτας λαμβάνων δεδεκάτωται.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• I may so sayλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• ·ἔποςepos · a wordG2031
• LeviΛευΐLeui · LeviG3017
• who receivethλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
• tithesδεκάτηdekatē · tenthG1181
• payed tithesδεκατόωdekatoō · to titheG1183
• inδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• AbrahamἈβραάμAbraam · AbrahamG11
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588

Cross-references for Hebrews 7:9

• Hebrews 7:4Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!
• Genesis 14:20And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
• Romans 5:12Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—

Commentaries on Hebrews 7:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9And as I may so say - ̔ · And so to speak a word. This form of speech, which is very frequent among the purest Greek writers, is generally used to soften some harsh expression, or to limit the meaning when the proposition might otherwise appear to be too general. It answers fully to our so to speak - as one would say - I had almost said - in a certain sense. Many examples of its use by Aristotle, Philo, Lucian, Josephus, Demosthenes, Aeschines, and…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9And as I may so say - So to speak - ̔ ̓́ ̓͂ hōs epos eipeinFor numerous examples in the classic writers of this expression, see Wetstein in loc. It is used precisely as it is with us when we say “so to speak,” or “if I may be allowed the expression.” It is employed when what is said is not strictly and literally true, but when it amounts to the same thing, or when about the same idea is conveyed. “It is a “softening down” of an expression which a writer…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-10Verses 4-10 That High Priest who should afterward appear, of whom Melchizedec was a type, must be much superior to the Levitical priests. Observe Abraham's great dignity and happiness; that he had the promises. That man is rich and happy indeed, who has the promises, both of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This honour have all those who receive the Lord Jesus. Let us go forth in our spiritual conflicts, trusting in his word and…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9-10And so to speak: The author knows that saying the Levites paid a tithe to Melchizedek is not literally true, since Levi was not born yet. Abraham represented all his descendants when he paid his tithe to Melchizedek. Levi was connected to Abraham because he came from Abraham's lineage. All of Abraham's descendants were united with him. So, his action could be seen as their action.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. as I may so say--to preclude what he is about to say being taken in the mere literal sense; I may say that, virtually, Levi, in the person of his father Abraham, acknowledged Melchisedec's superiority, and paid tithes to him. who receiveth tithes--(Compare He 7:5). in Abraham--Greek, "by means of (by the hand of) Abraham"; through Abraham. "Paid tithes," literally, "hath been tithed," that is, been taken tithes of.Read the comment

Topics related to Hebrews 7:9

• Abraham
• Melchizedek
• Priest
• Succession
• Tithes
• Types

In the dictionaries

• Abraham
• Levi
• Abraham, Abram
• Levi, Levite
• Matthew, Levi
• Attendance
• Harmless
• Law
• Melchizedek
• Separate

Commentaries on Hebrews 7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings