For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
For {G1063} he was {G2258} yet {G2089} in {G1722} the loins {G3751} of his father {G3962}, when {G3753} Melchisedec {G3198} met {G4876} him {G846}.
inasmuch as he was still in his ancestor Avraham’s body when Malki-Tzedek met him.
For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.
for he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him.
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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; -
Hebrews 7:5
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: -
1 Kings 8:19
Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.
Hebrews 7:10 stands as a pivotal verse in the Epistle to the Hebrews, serving as a crucial link in the author's argument for the superiority of Christ's priesthood over the Levitical system.
Context
This verse is part of a detailed theological exposition in Hebrews chapter 7, which contrasts the Aaronic/Levitical priesthood, based on the Law of Moses, with the priesthood of Jesus Christ, established "after the order of Melchisedec." The author draws heavily from the Old Testament account in Genesis 14:18-20, where Melchizedek, King of Salem and priest of the Most High God, met Abraham, received tithes from him, and blessed him. The core argument is that if Abraham, the patriarch from whom Levi (and thus the entire Levitical priesthood) descended, paid tithes to Melchizedek, then Levi himself, in a representative sense, also paid tithes to Melchizedek. This act signifies Melchizedek's superior standing, and by extension, the superior nature of Christ's priesthood which is likened to Melchizedek's.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "in the loins of his father" (Greek: ἐν τῇ ὀσφύϊ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, en tē osphyi tou patros autou) is a common biblical idiom, signifying direct lineal descent. It's a vivid way of expressing that Levi's entire existence and future lineage were implicitly contained within Abraham at that moment. This isn't just about genetic inheritance but about a theological and legal representation, where the descendant is considered to have participated in the ancestor's actions or status. It's similar to the concept of all humanity being "in Adam" when he sinned (Romans 5:12).
Practical Application
This verse, though seemingly obscure, reinforces the absolute supremacy and eternal nature of Jesus Christ's priesthood. Because Christ's priesthood is "after the order of Melchisedec," it is superior to the temporary, imperfect Levitical system. For believers, this means our salvation and access to God are secured by an unchangeable and eternal High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for us. We can have full confidence in the better covenant established through Him, which far surpasses the old.