Albert Barnes Commentary Hebrews 7:9

"And, so to say, through Abraham even Levi, who receiveth tithes, hath paid tithes;" — Hebrews 7:9 (ASV)

And as I may so say. So to speak—wv epov eipein. For 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 supposes his readers may deem too strong, or which may have the appearance of excess or severity. It amounts to an indirect apology for employing an unusual or unexpected assertion or phrase." Prof. Stuart. Here Paul could not mean that Levi had actually paid tithes in Abraham—for he did not then exist; or that Abraham was his representative—for Abraham had not been appointed by Levi to act in that capacity; or that the act of Abraham was imputed or reckoned to Abraham—for that was not true, and would not have been pertinent to the case if it were so.

But it means that, in the circumstances of the case, the same thing occurred regarding the superiority of Melchizedek and the inferiority of the Levitical priesthood, as if Levi had been present with Abraham and had himself actually paid tithes on that occasion.

This was so because Abraham was the distinguished ancestor of Levi. When an ancestor has performed an act implying inferiority of rank to another, we feel as if the whole family, or all the descendants, by that act recognized the inferiority, unless something occurs to change the relative rank of the persons. Here, nothing indicating any such change had occurred. Melchizedek had no descendants of whom mention is made, and the act of Abraham, as the head of the Hebrew race, therefore stood as if it were the act of all who descended from him.

Levi. The ancestor of the whole Levitical priesthood, from whom they received their name. He was the third son of Jacob and Leah and was born in Mesopotamia.

On account of the conduct of Simeon and Levi towards Shechem for the way he had treated their sister Dinah (Genesis 34:25)—an act Jacob characterized as "cruelty" (Genesis 49:5–6)—Jacob said that they should be scattered in Israel (Genesis 49:7). Afterwards, the whole tribe of Levi was chosen by God to execute the various functions of the priesthood and was "scattered" over the land, having no inheritance of their own but deriving their subsistence from the offerings of the people (Numbers 3:6 and following). Levi is here spoken of as the ancestor of the tribe, or collectively to denote the entire Jewish priesthood.

Who receiveth tithes. That is, his descendants, the priests and Levites, receive tithes.

Payed tithes in Abraham. It is the same as if he had paid tithes in or by Abraham.