“For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.”
because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor — the pre-existence of Levi in Abraham's seed means that Levi was present in the action, though not yet born. The author uses imaginative but accepted rabbinic logic to establish the chronological priority of Melchizedek's priesthood to Levi's.
Church Fathers on Hebrews 7:10
Hebrews 7:8 “And here men that die receive tithes: but there he of whom it is testified that he lives.” But lest we should say, Tell us, why are you going so far back? He says, Hebrews 7:9 “And as I may so say” (and he did well in softening it) “Levi also who receives tithes payed tithes in Abraham.” How? Hebrews 7:10 “For he was yet in his loins when Melchisedec met him,” i.e. Levi was in him, although he was not yet born. And he said not the Levites but Levi. Have you seen…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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