7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they {b} come out of the loins of Abraham:
(b) Were begotten by Abraham.
7:5 They that are the sons of Levi. The Aaronic priesthood, all of them of the tribe of Levi.
Have a commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law. They require the enactment of the law to collect tithes of the people, their own brethren. See Nu 18:24,26,28 Ne 13:5. The tithes are paid, not because of their great spiritual dignity, but because the law compels it.
7:5 The sons of Levi take tithes of their brethren - Sprung from Abraham as well as themselves. The Levites therefore are greater than they; but the priests are greater than the Levites, the patriarch Abraham than the priests, and Melchisedec than him.
7:4-10 That High Priest who should afterward appear, of whom Melchizedec was a type, must be much superior to the Levitical priests. Observe Abraham's great dignity and happiness; that he had the promises. That man is rich and happy indeed, who has the promises, both of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This honour have all those who receive the Lord Jesus. Let us go forth in our spiritual conflicts, trusting in his word and strength, ascribing our victories to his grace, and desiring to be met and blessed by him in all our ways.
