Hebrews 5
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
For every high priest taken from among men - This seems to refer to Lev 21:10, where it is intimated that the high priest shall be taken מאחיו meachaiv, from his brethren; i.e. he shall be of the tribe of Levi, and of the family of Aaron. Is ordained for men - Ὑπερ ανθρωπων καθισταται τα προς τον Θεον· Is appointed to preside over the Divine worship in those things which relate to man's salvation. That he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins - God ever appeared to all his followers in two points of view: 1. As the author and dispenser of all temporal good. 2. As their lawgiver and judge. In reference to this twofold view of the Divine Being, his worship was composed of two different parts: 1. Offerings or gifts. 2. Sacrifices. 1. As the creator and dispenser of all good, he had offerings by which his bounty and providence were acknowledged. 2. As the lawgiver and judge, against whose injunctions offenses had been committed, he had sacrifices offered to him to make atonement for sin. The δωρα, or gifts, mentioned here by the apostle, included every kind of eucharistical offering. The θυσιαι, sacrifices, included victims of every sort, or animals whose lives were to be offered in sacrifice, and their blood poured out before God, as an atonement for sins. The high priest was the mediator between God and the people; and it was his office, when the people had brought these gifts and sacrifices, to offer them to God in their behalf. The people could not legitimately offer their own offerings, they must be all brought to the priest, and he alone could present them to God. As we have a high priest over the house of God, to offer all our gifts and his own sacrifice, therefore we may come with boldness to the throne of grace. See above.
Open source ↗CHRIST'S HIGH PRIESTHOOD; NEEDED QUALIFICATIONS; MUST BE A MAN; MUST NOT HAVE ASSUMED THE DIGNITY HIMSELF, BUT HAVE BEEN APPOINTED BY GOD; THEIR LOW SPIRITUAL PERCEPTIONS A BAR TO PAUL'S SAYING ALL HE MIGHT ON CHRIST'S MELCHISEDEC-LIKE PRIESTHOOD. (Heb 5:1-14) For--substantiating Heb 4:15. every--that is, every legitimate high priest; for instance, the Levitical, as he is addressing Hebrews, among whom the Levitical priesthood was established as the legitimate one. Whatever, reasons Paul, is excellent in the Levitical priests, is also in Christ, and besides excellencies which are not in the Levitical priests. taken from among men--not from among angels, who could not have a fellow feeling with us men. This qualification Christ has, as being, like the Levitical priest, a man (Heb 2:14, Heb 2:16). Being "from men," He can be "for (that is, in behalf of, for the good of) men." ordained--Greek, "constituted," "appointed." both gifts--to be joined with "for sins," as "sacrifices" is (the "both . . . and" requires this); therefore not the Hebrew, "mincha," "unbloody offerings," but animal whole burnt offerings, spontaneously given. "Sacrifices" are the animal sacrifices due according to the legal ordinance [ESTIUS].
Open source ↗For every high priest taken from among men,.... Every one that was an high priest under the law was a man, and not an angel; and it was proper he should be so, that he might be a priest for men, have compassion on them, and offer for them; and he was among the number of common men, and was taken out from them, and chosen and separated from the rest of men, as Aaron and his sons were from the children of Israel, Exo 28:1. And such an one is ordained for men; in their room and stead, and for their good; and above them, as the word sometimes signifies; he was exalted unto, and invested with a superior office, to which he was ordained according to the law of a carnal commandment, by anointing with oil, and without an oath. In things pertaining to God; in things in which God had to do with men; and so he presided over them in the name of God, and declared the will of God unto them, and blessed them; and in things in which men had to do with God; and so he appeared in their name, and represented their persons, and presented their sacrifices to God, as follows: that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; freewill offerings, peace offerings, burnt offerings, sin and trespass offerings, all kind of sacrifice.
Open source ↗We have here an account of the nature of the priestly office in general, though with an accommodation to the Lord Jesus Christ. We are told, I. Of what kind of beings the high priest must be. He must be taken from among men; he must be a man, one of ourselves, bone of our bones, flesh of our flesh, and spirit of our spirits, a partaker of our nature, and a standard-bearer among ten thousand. This implies, 1. That man had sinned. 2. That God would not admit sinful man to come to him immediately and alone, without a high priest, who must be taken from among men. 3. That God was pleased to take one from among men, by whom they might approach God in hope, and he might receive them with honour. 4. That every one shall now be welcome to God that comes to him by this his priest. II. For whom every high priest is ordained: For men in things pertaining to God, for the glory of God and the good of men, that he might come between God and man. So Christ did; and therefore let us never attempt to go to God but through Christ, nor expect any favour from God but through Christ. III. For what purpose every high priest was ordained: That he might offer both gifts and sacrifices for sin. 1. That he might offer gifts or free-will offerings, brought to the high priest, so offered for the glory of God, and as an acknowledgment that our all is of him and from him; we have nothing but what he is pleased to give us, and of his own we offer to him an oblation of acknowledgment. This intimates, (1.) That all we bring to God must be free and not forced; it must be a gift; it must be given and not taken away again. (2.) That all we bring to God must go through the high priest's hands, as the great agent between God and man. 2. That he might offer sacrifices for sin; that is, the offerings that wer…
Open source ↗5:1-10 This section addresses the appointment of the Son of God as a superior High Priest. The focal text is Ps 110:4, which reveals God’s oath that the Son would be a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. 5:1 Every high priest: This phrase introduces requirements for high priests in general. • a man: The high priest was one of the people, so Jesus had to become human (see 2:17-18). • A second requirement for high priests was that they would represent other people by offering sacrifices on their behalf (7:25-28). Only the high priest could offer the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement (Exod 29; Lev 16:1-25).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús, G749) — the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being καθίστημι (kathístēmi, G2525) — to place down (permanently), i.e. (figuratively) to designate, constitute, convoy ὑπέρ (hypér, G5228) — "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the… πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) προσφέρω (prosphérō, G4374) — to bear towards, i.e. lead to, tender (especially to God), treat τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) δῶρον (dōron, G1435) — a present; specially, a sacrifice
Open source ↗δύναμαι (dýnamai, G1410) — to be able or possible μετριοπαθέω (metriopathéō, G3356) — to be moderate in passion, i.e. gentle (to treat indulgently) ἀγνοέω (agnoéō, G50) — not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πλανάω (planáō, G4105) — to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue) ἐπεί (epeí, G1893) — thereupon, i.e. since (of time or cause) περίκειμαι (períkeimai, G4029) — to lie all around, i.e. inclose, encircle, hamper (literally or figuratively) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀσθένεια (asthéneia, G769) — feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ταύτῃ (taútēi, G5026) — (towards or of) this ὀφείλω (opheílō, G3784) — to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should);… καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… λαός (laós, G2992) — a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace) οὕτω (hoútō, G3779) — in this way (referring to what precedes or follows) ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… προσφέρω (prosphérō, G4374) — to bear towards, i.e. lead to, tender (especially to God), treat ὑπέρ (hypér, G5228) — "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the… ἁμαρτία (hamartía, G266) — a sin (properly abstract)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) τιμή (timḗ, G5092) — a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem… ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) καλέω (kaléō, G2564) — to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very καθάπερ (katháper, G2509) — exactly as Ἀαρών (Aarṓn, G2) — Aaron, the brother of Moses
Open source ↗οὕτω (hoútō, G3779) — in this way (referring to what precedes or follows) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus δοξάζω (doxázō, G1392) — to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús, G749) — the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… σύ (sý, G4771) — thou εἶ (eî, G1488) — thou art
Open source ↗καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἕτερος (héteros, G2087) — (an-, the) other or different σύ (sý, G4771) — thou ἱερεύς (hiereús, G2409) — a priest (literally or figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… αἰών (aiṓn, G165) — properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world;… κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… τάξις (táxis, G5010) — regular arrangement, i.e. (in time) fixed succession (of rank or character), official… Μελχισεδέκ (Melchisedék, G3198) — Melchisedek (i.e. Malkitsedek), a patriarch
Open source ↗ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… σάρξ (sárx, G4561) — flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by… προσφέρω (prosphérō, G4374) — to bear towards, i.e. lead to, tender (especially to God), treat δέησις (déēsis, G1162) — a petition τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἱκετηρία (hiketēría, G2428) — intreaty μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… ἰσχυρός (ischyrós, G2478) — forcible (literally or figuratively) κραυγή (kraugḗ, G2906) — an outcry (in notification, tumult or grief) δάκρυ (dákry, G1144) — a tear
Open source ↗καίπερ (kaíper, G2539) — and indeed, i.e. nevertheless or notwithstanding ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… μανθάνω (manthánō, G3129) — to learn (in any way) ὑπακοή (hypakoḗ, G5218) — attentive hearkening, i.e. (by implication) compliance or submission ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that πάσχω (páschō, G3958) — to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… τελειόω (teleióō, G5048) — to complete, i.e. (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character) γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… αἴτιος (aítios, G159) — causative, i.e. (concretely) a causer αἰώνιος (aiṓnios, G166) — perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well) σωτηρία (sōtēría, G4991) — rescue or safety (physically or morally) πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ὑπακούω (hypakoúō, G5219) — to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e. to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗προσαγορεύω (prosagoreúō, G4316) — to address, i.e. salute by name ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús, G749) — the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… τάξις (táxis, G5010) — regular arrangement, i.e. (in time) fixed succession (of rank or character), official… Μελχισεδέκ (Melchisedék, G3198) — Melchisedek (i.e. Malkitsedek), a patriarch
Open source ↗περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἡμῖν (hēmîn, G2254) — to (or for, with, by) us λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… δυσερμήνευτος (dysermḗneutos, G1421) — difficult of explanation λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ἐπεί (epeí, G1893) — thereupon, i.e. since (of time or cause) γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… νωθρός (nōthrós, G3576) — sluggish, i.e. (literally) lazy, or (figuratively) stupid ἀκοή (akoḗ, G189) — hearing (the act, the sense or the thing heard)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) χρόνος (chrónos, G5550) — a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from G2540 (καιρός), which… ὀφείλω (opheílō, G3784) — to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should);… εἶναι (eînai, G1511) — to exist διδάσκαλος (didáskalos, G1320) — an instructor (genitive case or specially) ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… χρεία (chreía, G5532) — employment, i.e. an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or… διδάσκω (didáskō, G1321) — to teach (in the same broad application) ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) πάλιν (pálin, G3825) — (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally)… τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ἀρχή (archḗ, G746) — (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of…
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole μετέχω (metéchō, G3348) — to share or participate; by implication, belong to, eat (or drink) γάλα (gála, G1051) — milk (figuratively) ἄπειρος (ápeiros, G552) — inexperienced, i.e. ignorant λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosýnē, G1343) — equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are νήπιος (nḗpios, G3516) — not speaking, i.e. an infant (minor); figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. στερεός (stereós, G4731) — stiff, i.e. solid, stable (literally or figuratively) τροφή (trophḗ, G5160) — nourishment (literally or figuratively); by implication, rations (wages) ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are τέλειος (téleios, G5046) — complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.);… διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ἕξις (héxis, G1838) — habit, i.e. (by implication) practice ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… αἰσθητήριον (aisthētḗrion, G145) — properly, an organ of perception, i.e. (figuratively) judgment γυμνάζω (gymnázō, G1128) — to practise naked (in the games), i.e. train (figuratively) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… διάκρισις (diákrisis, G1253) — judicial estimation τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) καλός (kalós, G2570)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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And since every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, it was necessary for this One also to have something to offer.
Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper.
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.
For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people.
“Take Aaron and his sons, their garments, the anointing oil, the bull of the sin offering, the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread,
Then Moses said to Aaron, “Approach the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering to make atonement for yourself and for the people. And sacrifice the people’s offering to make atonement for them, as the LORD has commanded.”