Melchizedek and Abraham

(Genesis 14:17–24)

7 This Melchizedek [was] king of Salem [and] priest of God Most High.[fn] He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham apportioned to [him] a tenth of everything. First, [his name] means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father [or] mother [or] genealogy, without beginning of days [or] end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.

4 Consider how great [Melchizedek was]: Even the patriarch Abraham gave [him] a tenth of the plunder. 5 Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they [too] are descended from Abraham. 6 But [Melchizedek], who did not trace his descent from [Levi], collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.

8 In the case [of the Levites], mortal men collect the tenth; but in the case [of Melchizedek], it is affirmed that he lives on. 9 And so to speak, Levi, who collects [the] tenth, paid [the] tenth through Abraham. 10 For when Melchizedek met Abraham, [Levi] was still in the loin of [his] ancestor.