Hebrews 7:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →The Levitical priests are commanded by law to collect tithes from their fellow Israelites, who are their own kinsmen descended from Abraham.
What Does Hebrews 7:5 Mean?
The writer sets up a comparison with the familiar system of the law. The sons of Levi who hold the priestly office are authorized to receive tithes from the people. Yet those who give and those who receive are all brothers, all children of Abraham, standing on level ground by birth.
The arrangement is real and God-given, but it works within one family. Levi collects from his own relatives by commandment, not by any natural superiority. This sets the stage for the contrast to come, where Melchizedek, an outsider to that family, receives a tithe from Abraham himself, signaling a greatness that the law's own structure cannot account for.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hebrews 7:5
What does Hebrews 7:5 mean?
The Levitical priests are commanded by law to collect tithes from their fellow Israelites, who are their own kinsmen descended from Abraham.