Devine Scripture

Hebrews 7:10

What does Hebrews 7:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 7:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 7:10 means

The justification for counting Levi as tithing to Melchizedek is that Levi existed seminally “in the loins” of Abraham when the meeting took place. This underlines the representative nature of Abraham’s actions for his descendants. By this logic, the whole Levitical system is placed beneath Melchizedek’s priesthood. The emphasis is on chronology and headship: before the Levitical order arose, it was already, in principle, subordinate. This decisive step prepares the way for introducing a new priest, not from Levi’s line, whose order must be higher and more effective, because the older order could not bring what God ultimately intended.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Because he was still in his father's body when Melchizedek came to him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for he was yet in the loins of the father when Melchisedek met him.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For he was yet in the loins of his father when Melchisedech met him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For he was yet in the loins of his father when Melchisedec met him.

Context

With the priority and superiority of Melchizedek secured, the author transitions to a crucial question in verse 11: if the Levitical priesthood had achieved perfection, why was another priest promised after Melchizedek’s order rather than Aaron’s? The next section (vv. 11–14) argues that the coming of a different order implies a necessary change, including in the law itself, because Jesus arises from Judah, not Levi. This argument connects Melchizedek’s greatness to a fundamental shift in covenantal arrangements.

v.9And, so to say, through Abraham even Levi, who receiveth tithes, hath paid tithes;

v.10This passage

v.11Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 35:11

    And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;

  • Genesis 46:26

    All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, that came out of his loins, besides Jacob’s sons’ wives, all the souls were threescore and six;

  • Hebrews 7:5

    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:

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