One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham.
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, in this way death has come to all men, because all have sinned.
For Levi was still in the loins of his ancestor Abraham when Melchizedek met him.
Consider how great this man must be, that even Abraham the patriarch gave him a tenth of the spoils.
In the one case, tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, they are received by one who is attested to be living.