7:4

Hebrews 7:5

7:6

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:

And {G2532} verily {G3303} they that are of {G1537} the sons {G5207} of Levi {G3017}, who {G3588} receive {G2983} the office of the priesthood {G2405}, have {G2192} a commandment {G1785} to take tithes {G586} of the people {G2992} according to {G2596} the law {G3551}, that is {G5123}, of their {G846} brethren {G80}, though {G2539} they come {G1831} out of {G1537} the loins {G3751} of Abraham {G11}:

Now the descendants of Levi who became cohanim have a commandment in the Torah to take a tenth of the income of the people, that is, from their own brothers, despite the fact that they too are descended from Avraham.

Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.

And they indeed of the sons of Levi that receive the priest’s office have commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though these have come out of the loins of Abraham:

Commentary on Hebrews 7:5

Hebrews 7:5 provides a foundational understanding of the Levitical priesthood's established role under the Mosaic Law, setting the stage for the author's detailed argument about the superiority of Christ's priesthood. This verse highlights the legal right of the priests to receive tithes from the people.

Context of Hebrews 7:5

This verse is situated within a crucial section of the Epistle to the Hebrews, where the author expounds on the priesthood of Jesus Christ, contrasting it with the Old Covenant's Levitical system. The chapter begins by introducing Melchizedek, a king-priest to whom Abraham paid tithes centuries before the Law of Moses or the Levitical priesthood was instituted (Genesis 14:20). Verse 5 then reminds the audience of the familiar and legally mandated practice under the Law: the "sons of Levi," those designated for the priestly office, had a commandment to collect tithes from their fellow Israelites. This arrangement was integral to the Old Covenant, ensuring the financial support of those who ministered in the Tabernacle and later the Temple, as they received no tribal land inheritance.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Levitical Priesthood: The verse explicitly refers to "the sons of Levi," identifying the specific tribe from which priests were drawn under the Mosaic Law. Their office was a divinely appointed and hereditary position within Israel.
  • Tithing as a Legal Obligation: It emphasizes that the collection of tithes was not voluntary but a "commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law." This highlights the strict legal framework of the Old Covenant, where tithing served as the primary means of support for the priestly class (Numbers 18:21).
  • Shared Lineage, Distinct Roles: The phrase "though they come out of the loins of Abraham" underscores that even though the priests shared a common ancestor with all other Israelites, their unique priestly function, established by God's law, set them apart and entitled them to receive support from their brethren. This distinction is vital for the author's argument that Melchizedek's priesthood predated and was distinct from the Levitical one.

Linguistic Insights

The term "sons of Levi" (Greek: huios Leui) precisely identifies the lineage from which the Old Testament priesthood was drawn. The use of "commandment" (Greek: entolē) strongly conveys the legal and obligatory nature of tithing under the Mosaic Law. This was not a suggestion but a divine decree, illustrating the structured provision for the religious leadership within the Old Covenant system.

Related Scriptures

  • For the detailed institution of the Levitical priesthood and their right to tithes, refer to Numbers 18:21-24.
  • The broader argument in Hebrews is that the change in priesthood (from Levitical to Christ's) necessarily implies a change in the law itself (Hebrews 7:12).
  • The superiority and eternal nature of Christ's priesthood, which is not based on Levitical lineage but on the order of Melchizedek, is the central theme of this chapter and is further elaborated in Hebrews 7:17 and Hebrews 7:24-25.

Practical Application

While the specific Old Testament law of tithing to the Levitical priesthood is fulfilled and superseded by the New Covenant in Christ, Hebrews 7:5 offers enduring principles. It demonstrates God's consistent design for providing for those who dedicate themselves to spiritual ministry. Just as the Levitical priests were supported by the community they served, the New Testament encourages believers to financially support those who teach the Word and minister among them (Galatians 6:6; 1 Corinthians 9:14). Understanding the historical context of the Levitical system helps us appreciate the profound and liberating shift brought by Christ's superior priesthood, which offers a perfect and eternal access to God, not through adherence to external laws, but through faith in His complete work on the cross.

Note: Commentary is generated by a large language model with a directive for Biblical fidelity. While we find the analysis helpful, always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Numbers 18:21

    And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, [even] the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

  • Numbers 18:32

    And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die.

  • Leviticus 27:30

    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.

  • Leviticus 27:33

    He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.

  • 2 Chronicles 31:4

    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.

  • 2 Chronicles 31:6

    And [concerning] the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid [them] by heaps.

  • Numbers 16:10

    And he hath brought thee near [to him], and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?

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