For surely his concern is not for angels, but he is concerned for Abraham's descendants.

Now when God made his promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself,

And so by persevering, Abraham inherited the promise.

Now this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him.

To him also Abraham apportioned a tithe of everything. His name first means king of righteousness, then king of Salem, that is, king of peace.

But see how great he must be, if Abraham the patriarch gave him a tithe of his plunder.

And those of the sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have authorization according to the law to collect a tithe from the people, that is, from their fellow countrymen, although they too are descendants of Abraham.

But Melchizedek who does not share their ancestry collected a tithe from Abraham and blessed the one who possessed the promise.

And it could be said that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid a tithe through Abraham.

For he was still in his ancestor Abraham's loins when Melchizedek met him.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place he would later receive as an inheritance, and he went out without understanding where he was going.

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He had received the promises, yet he was ready to offer up his only son.