Collecting the tithe was both a duty and an honor for the priests under the law of Moses (Numbers 18:21–32).
from the people: This refers to all the people of Israel.
Although Melchizedek was not a descendant of Levi, he collected a tenth from Abraham, the ancestor of the Levites. This shows Melchizedek’s greater status over both Abraham and his descendants, including the priests (Hebrews 7:8–10).