Verse of the Day
Author Spotlight
Loading featured author...
Report Issue
See a formatting issue or error?
Let us know →
for he was yet in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
Verse Takeaways
1
The Logic of Lineage
Commentators explain that this verse uses a concept of 'corporate solidarity.' Levi, though not yet born, was considered seminally present in his ancestor Abraham. Therefore, when Abraham paid a tithe to Melchizedek, Levi—and the entire Levitical priesthood descended from him—symbolically did so as well, demonstrating the inferiority of their priesthood.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
Hebrews
Author
Audience
Composition
Teaching Highlights
Outline
+ 5 more
See Overview
7
18th Century
Presbyterian
For he was yet in the loins of his father. Abraham is here called the father of Levi, by a common use of the word, referring to a…
In the loins of his father (εν τη οσφυ του πατρος). Levi was not yet born. The reference is to Abraham, the forefather (πατρος) of…
19th Century
Baptist
Thus the old priesthood, the Levitical and Aaronic priesthood, paid homage to the Melchisedec priesthood, which is greater still.
Go ad-free and create your own bookmark library
The expression “one might even say” often introduces a statement that startles a reader and requires one to be careful against misinterpretation. T…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
For he was yet in the loins of his father Abraham; namely, Levi and his whole posterity; which is to be understood s…
That High Priest who should afterward appear, of whom Melchizedec was a type, must be much superior to the Levitical priests. Observe Abraham's gre…
Get curated content & updates
13th Century
Catholic
Having shown how Melchizedek was likened to the Son of God, the Apostle now shows the preeminence of Melchizedek’s priesthood over the Levitical. R…
