Charles Ellicott 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.—Or, so to speak: an apologetic way of introducing an expression that might seem strange. In the thought itself, there is no real difficulty if we are careful to take into account the principle that prevailed throughout: that pre-eminence depended on descent alone. Had Judah possessed an inherent superiority over his brother Levi, the descendants of Judah (in such a system as we are considering here) might have claimed the same pre-eminence over the descendants of Levi. Through Abraham even Levi, who receiveth tithes, hath payed tithes. The descendants of Abraham must occupy a lower position before one who appears as Abraham’s superior.