John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 7:1-28
Priesthood after the Order of Aaron and of MelchizedekThe theme of Christ’s superiority to the Levitical priesthood is here resumed. In Hebrews 5:1-10 it has been shown that Christ possesses all the characteristics of a true High Priest, and moreover that He is called of God ’an High Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec’ Now the priesthood of Melchizedek was perpetual, and in this respect he is a type of Christ. His greatness is shown by the fact that he received tithes from Abraham,... read more
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 7:9-10
In a sense even Levi himself paid tithes to Melchizedek since he was still in the loins of Abraham when Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek. In the ancient Near Eastern view of things, people regarded a descendant as in one sense participating in the actions of his ancestors (Genesis 25:23; Malachi 1:2-3; Romans 9:11-13). This is true to reality in certain respects (cf. Romans 5:12-21; 1 Corinthians 15:22), though we are responsible for our own actions too (Ezekiel 18:20). Levi, the head of the... read more