FROM ADAM TO SHEM

Midrash Rabbah - Numbers 4:8

TAKE THE LEVITES, etc. (Numbers 3:45).

When Adam died he transmitted them to Seth. Seth transmitted them to Methusaleh. When Methusaleh died he transmitted them to Noah. Noah arose and offered a sacrifice; as it says: And he took of every clean beast... and offered burnt-offerings on the altar (Genesis 8:20). Noah died and transmitted them to Shem … There is proof that Shem offered sacrifices; since it says: And Melchizedek, king of Salem brought forth bread and wine; and he was priest of God the Most High (Genesis 14:18). Now was it to him that the priesthood was given? … What then is the meaning of the statement here, ‘and he was priest’? Because he offered sacrifices like priests.