Tithing during the days of the Patriarchs

Tithing was a common practice in the ancient world centuries before Moses formalized the practice as a religious obligation. Abraham, who lived 400 years before Moses, gave a tenth of the spoils of war to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:17-20). That's the first Biblical reference to tithing but I doubt it was the first tithe Melchizedek had ever recieved. He was King of Salem (short for Jerusalem) and Priest of the Most High God. He was superior to Abraham (Hebrews 7:4) and a type of Christ Hebrews 7:14-17). No wonder Abraham gave him a tithe!  

After reading the Biblical and historical references to tithing, it appears that tithing has a long history and the practice was deeply rooted in early societies. People paid tithes to kings and priest (1 Samuel 8:15,17). When Melchizedek arrived with a blessing Abraham knew how to respond.  He gave him a tenth of the plunder (Hebrew 7:2). Did Abraham continue to tithe? The Bible does not say. But this is the first reference in scripture for tithing. The second is a little less noble. 

After Jacob, Abraham's grandson, deceived his brother and father he ran away from home. His brother was going to kill him because he stole his blessing and birthright. Jacob ran as fast and as far as he could go before he grew tired. While he was sleeping he encounter God spoke in an amazing dream. Jacob saw a stairway that reach from earth to heaven. Angels were walking up and down the stairs. God was standing at the top the stairs when he spoke to Jacob and said ...

“I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying."

When Jacob woke up he was afraid and amazed. He realized that the Lord had just repeated same promise He had made to his father and grandfather. He was awestruck (Genesis 28:16-17) and called the place "Bethel" (House of God).  After he conducted a private ceremony that involved proping up a stone and pouring oil on it, he made a promise to tithe. But his words sound more like a bargain than a promise (Genesis 29:20-22). 

That's why I said Jacob's story seems a little less noble than his grandfather. I cannot find where he ever gave a tithe but at least the trickster knew enough to offer it. Years later the Lord appeared to Jacob again. He was appeared as a man and wrestled him all night long. Toward the end of the fight the Lord "touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched". Genesis 32:25 is the first recorded case of "sciatica". That's when Jacob realized this was no mere man - he was wrestling God. So he held on tight and would not let go until the Lord blessed him. The Lord blessed him, changed his name to Israel (which means "he struggles with God") but Jacob probably who walked with a limp for the rest of his life.

God intentionally broke Jacob and He used him to father a nation that still bears his name - "Israel".  Jacob's 12 sons became the heads of the 12 tribes of Israel. You'll see their names when you walk into the New Jerusalem in Heaven (Revelation 21:12). 

But the point is of these two stories from Genesis is simply this. The origin of tithing is older than the law. The patriarch Abraham gave a tithe to the priest of Salem and Jacob made a vow to tithe after his famous dream.