Definition: 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 come out of the loins of Abraham:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Hebrews 7:5. It’s a really important part of understanding how God’s plan works in the Old Testament. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse is saying that people who are officially priests in the church – specifically those descended from Levi – have a special responsibility to give back to God. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Hebrews 7:5” : This is the verse itself. It’s a specific passage in the book of Hebrews, which is a letter written to early Christians. “And verily they that are of the sons of Levi…” : This refers to a group of priests who were very important in the old Jewish religious system. They were known as “sons of Levi.” Think of them as the main priests who performed many rituals and sacrifices. “…who receive the office of the priesthood…” : This means they officially held the position of being priests – a special role that allowed them to offer sacrifices and perform certain religious duties. “have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law…” : This is the core of what’s happening. "Tithes" is a Hebrew word that means "offering." This verse says these priests must give back a portion of everything they receive – money, goods, and even their own lives – to God. It's like giving a percentage of your wealth or possessions to God as an offering. Importantly, this is according to the law . The law was a set of rules that God gave to the Israelites to guide them. “that is, of their brethren…” : This is a crucial part. “Brethren” refers to all the people – not just specific individuals. It means these priests were obligated to give back to God as a group. “…though they come out of the loins of Abraham.” : This connects it to our ancestor, Abraham. Abraham was a very important figure in Judaism and is considered the patriarch or father of the Jewish people. This verse says that this obligation doesn’t just apply to specific priests; it applies to everyone who comes from the line of Abraham – meaning everyone descended from him. It's about God’s plan extending back through generations, linking us to the very beginning of our faith. In a nutshell: Hebrews 7:5 describes how the priesthood was passed down and how the priests were required to give back to God as a group, acknowledging their connection to Abraham and the entire lineage of believers. It's about recognizing that God’s plan is universal and extends beyond just specific individuals. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give an example of how tithes might be used? Connect this verse to a broader understanding of the Old Testament?