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[Waffles]

Does anyone understand the argument Paul is making about Melchizedek here? I understand well until we get to verse 9 and 10. He seems to be saying that Levi must be lesser than Melchizedek because his ancestor was blessed by Melchizedek. But certainly you aren’t responsible for what your great grandparents do (and since Levi was born to Jacob, he was never in Abraham’s body).

Hebrew 7: 4

Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people -that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

[jimwalton]

A.T. Robertson writes, "This is a rabbinical imaginative refinement appealing to Jews." Watchman Nee explains, "The fact that Abraham offered tithes to Melchizedek means that Isaac 'in Abraham' offered to Melchizedek also. But if that is true, then Jacob also 'in Abraham' offered to Melchizedek, which in turn means that Levi 'in Abraham' offered to Melchizedek. It is evident that the lesser offers to the greater. So Levi is less in standing than Melchizedek, and therefore the priesthood of Aaron is inferior to that of the Lord Jesus."