Federal headship views children as connected to their ancestors. As humanity’s “federal head,” Adam represents this idea since we all sinned in him. The author of Hebrews mentions that the Levitical priests were “still in the loins” of Abraham when he tithed to Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:10). This idea is metaphorical, as shown in the original Greek. The tithe demonstrates Melchizedek’s superiority over both Abraham and the Levitical priests, creatively affirming Jesus as our only perfect means of salvation.

Main Text: Hebrews 7:7-10 (ESV)