And truly 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 brothers, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
who.
Hebrews 5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
Exodus 28:1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
Numbers 16:10,11 And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also? …
to take.
Leviticus 27:30-33 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD…
Numbers 18:26-32 Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe…
2 Chronicles 31:4-6 Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD…
come.
Hebrews 7:10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
Genesis 35:11 And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;
Genesis 46:26 All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were threescore and six;
to collect a tenth from the people
The collection of a tenth, or tithe, was a requirement under the Mosaic Law, as seen in Leviticus 27:30-33 and Numbers 18:21-24. The tithe was intended to support the Levites, who had no inheritance of land like the other tribes, as their role was to serve God and the community in religious matters. This practice underscores the principle of giving back to God a portion of what He has provided, a concept that continues in various forms in Christian teachings today.
that is, from their brothers
The phrase "from their brothers" emphasizes the familial and covenantal relationship among the Israelites. All the tribes, including Levi, were descendants of Abraham, and thus shared a common heritage and responsibility. This familial language highlights the unity and mutual support expected within the covenant community, where the Levites served on behalf of their fellow Israelites.
though they too are descended from Abraham
This phrase points to the shared ancestry of the Levites and the rest of the Israelites, all being descendants of Abraham. It underscores the idea that the Levites, despite their special role, are not inherently superior but are part of the same covenant family. This connection to Abraham is significant, as it ties the Levitical priesthood to the broader narrative of God's promises to Abraham, including the promise of blessing to all nations, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
• The phrase points back to the commands God gave through Moses (Exodus 24:3; Deuteronomy 5:1).
• The authority is divine, not human; obedience to these statutes was non-negotiable (Psalm 19:7).
• In Hebrews, the author highlights the temporary, preparatory nature of the Mosaic Law while still affirming its God-given status (Hebrews 7:11).
• Levi’s tribe was set apart to serve at the tabernacle and later the temple (Numbers 3:5-10; 8:14-19).
• Only Aaron’s descendants handled sacrifices, but all Levites assisted; their calling was hereditary, illustrating God’s sovereign choice (Malachi 2:4-7).
• This hereditary priesthood contrasts with Jesus’ priesthood after Melchizedek, which is based on an oath, not lineage (Hebrews 7:21).
• A “tenth” (tithe) belonged to the Lord and was given to the Levites for their ministry (Leviticus 27:30-33; Numbers 18:21, 24).
• The tithe provided practical support—food, housing, and resources—so priests could focus on worship duties (2 Chronicles 31:4-5; Nehemiah 13:10-12).
• Jesus affirmed the principle of tithing while stressing weightier matters of the law (Matthew 23:23).
• Those who tithed were fellow Israelites—family in the covenant (Deuteronomy 14:28-29).
• The arrangement underscored mutual responsibility: the people supplied the Levites, and the Levites represented the people before God (Acts 4:32; Galatians 6:6).
• This family language heightens the humility required of priests; they served relatives, not strangers (1 Timothy 5:17-18).
• Levites shared the same patriarch as the rest of Israel (Genesis 12:1-3; 17:7).
• Their privileged role did not make them spiritually superior; they needed atonement like everyone else (Hebrews 7:27).
• This shared lineage prepares the argument that an even greater priest—Jesus, also Abraham’s offspring through Judah—supersedes the Levitical system (Hebrews 7:14; Romans 4:16).
Hebrews 7:5 reminds readers that God’s Law assigned the Levites, Abraham’s own descendants, to collect tithes from fellow Israelites. This divinely ordained system supplied the priesthood and highlighted the interconnected family of faith. Yet the verse also sets the stage for showing its limitations: priests who shared Abraham’s blood still required provision and sacrifice, pointing to the need for a perfect, eternal Priest—Jesus Christ—whose superior ministry fulfills and surpasses the Levitical order.
(5) They that are of the sons.--Rather, those of the sons of Levi that receive, &c. There is an apparent difficulty here. The priests, it is urged, did not receive tithes from the people; the tithe was paid to the Levites, and but the tenth part of this tithe fell to the lot of the priests. Two considerations seem entirely to remove this difficulty. (1) The question is not one of emolument, but of position. The authority to exact tithes was in strictness vested in the priests, the supreme guardians of the laws relating to all religious duties and observances, and the Levites were but their assistants. That the priests received for their own use but a part of the tribute paid by the nation is a matter of no moment here. (2) The Levites themselves paid tithes to the priests, who therefore stood alone in receiving tithes but paying none. It is the positive ordinance of the law, and nothing but this, that raises brethren above brethren, and gives to the priest this claim upon men who would otherwise be on an equality with himself through common descent from Abraham.Verses 5-7. - And they indeed of the song of Levi who receive the office of priesthood have commandment to receive tithes of the people according to the Law, that is, of their brethren, though these have come out of the loins of Abraham: but he whose genealogy is not counted from them hath received tithes of Abraham. As much as to say, "Let it not be said that the tithing of Abraham by Melchizedek implies no higher priestly prerogative than the tithing of Abraham's descendants by the sons of Aaron; for there is this difference: They, in virtue only of a special ordinance of the Law, not of original right, were allowed to tithe their brethren, though descended from the same great ancestor; he, though not of them or of the race at all, in virtue of his own inherent dignity, tithes the whole race as represented in its patriarch." (We observe how, in place of the aorist ἔδωκε, used when the mere historical incident was referred to, we have here the perfect δεδεκάτωκε (as also εὐλόγηκε in what follows, and δεδεκάτωται in ver. 9), denoting a completed act, of which the effects and significance remain; Melchizedek, who represents the priesthood after his order, being viewed in permanent relation to Abraham, who represents the chosen race.) And hath blessed him that hath (i.e. the holder of) the promises. But, without all controversy, the less is blessed of the better. The superiority evidenced by bestowal of blessing no less than by receiving of tithe having been thus noticed, the contrast with the Levitical priesthood is continued in the following verses.