“But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.”
This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises — Melchizedek's priesthood is extra-Levitical; he neither descended from Levi nor operated under Levitical law, yet he collected tithes from Abraham and blessed him. Crucially, the one who blesses is superior to the one blessed; Melchizedek's blessing proves his precedence.
Church Fathers on Hebrews 7:6
So great (he would say) is the superiority of the priesthood, that they who from their ancestors are of the same dignity, and have the same forefather, are yet far better than the rest. At all events they “receive tithes” from them. When then one is found, who receives tithes from these very persons, are not they indeed in the rank of laymen, and he among the Priests? And not only this; but neither was he of the same dignity with them, but of another race: so that he would…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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