1For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed on behalf of men in the things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. [5:2] Being able to exercise forbearance with those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself also is encompassed by weakness. [5:3] And because of this he is obligated, even as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. [5:4] And no one takes the honor upon himself, but rather the one being called by God, just as Aaron also was. [5:5] So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become a high priest, but the One having said to Him: "Son of Mine are You Yourself; I Myself today have begotten You." [5:6] Even as also in another place He says: "You are a priest to the age according to the order of Melchizedek." [5:7] He, in the days of the flesh of Him, having offered up both prayers and supplications to the One being able to save Him from death, with loud crying and tears, and having been heard because of His reverence, [5:8] though being a Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered, [5:9] and having been brought to completion, He became to all those obeying Him the author of eternal salvation, [5:10] having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
HEB 5:1-10
The Perfect High Priest
In the world it was spoken into
In the first-century Jewish context, the high priest held a central role in mediating between God and the people, particularly through the offering of sacrifices for sins in the Temple. The high priest’s authority was not self-appointed but derived from divine calling, as seen in the lineage of Aaron. This passage contrasts the human high priest, who is weak and must offer sacrifices for his own sins, with Christ, who is appointed by God and perfected through suffering. The term (to exercise forbearance) reflects the high priest’s ability to empathize with human frailty, a quality Christ embodies fully. (honor) here denotes the esteemed office of high priest, a position of divine appointment, not human ambition. (reverence) underscores the careful piety required in approaching God, while (to perfect) signifies Christ’s completion of His role through obedience and suffering, fulfilling the priestly function in a way no human priest could. This would resonate deeply with Jewish listeners familiar with Temple rituals and the limitations of human priesthood.
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How other translations render this
HEB 5:1
- KJV
- For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
- BSB
- Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
- Koinōnos
- For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed on behalf of men in the things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
HEB 5:2
- KJV
- Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
- BSB
- He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is subject to weakness.
- Koinōnos
- Being able to exercise forbearance with those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself also is encompassed by weakness.
HEB 5:3
- KJV
- And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
- BSB
- That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.
- Koinōnos
- And because of this he is obligated, even as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins.
HEB 5:4
- KJV
- And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
- BSB
- No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.
- Koinōnos
- And no one takes the honor upon himself, but rather the one being called by God, just as Aaron also was.
HEB 5:5
- KJV
- So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
- BSB
- So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.”
- Koinōnos
- So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become a high priest, but the One having said to Him: "Son of Mine are You Yourself; I Myself today have begotten You.
HEB 5:6
- KJV
- As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
- BSB
- And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
- Koinōnos
- Even as also in another place He says: "You are a priest to the age according to the order of Melchizedek.
HEB 5:7
- KJV
- Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
- BSB
- During the days of Jesusʼ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.
- Koinōnos
- He, in the days of the flesh of Him, having offered up both prayers and supplications to the One being able to save Him from death, with loud crying and tears, and having been heard because of His reverence,
HEB 5:8
- KJV
- Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
- BSB
- Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered.
- Koinōnos
- though being a Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered,
HEB 5:9
- KJV
- And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
- BSB
- And having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him
- Koinōnos
- and having been brought to completion, He became to all those obeying Him the author of eternal salvation,
HEB 5:10
- KJV
- Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
- BSB
- and was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
- Koinōnos
- having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
HEB 5:2
- to exercise forbearance:The word translated 'to exercise forbearance' describes a measured and appropriate emotional response, suggesting a compassionate understanding for those who are ignorant or astray, rather than a detached or indifferent attitude.
HEB 5:4
- honor:The term used here for 'honor' refers to the high esteem and respect given to gods or superiors, often as a reward for significant service or status.
HEB 5:7
- reverence,:The word translated 'reverence' carries a sense of cautious discretion and carefulness, often stemming from a respectful awe or fear of offending, rather than just a general feeling of respect.
HEB 5:9
- having been perfected:The phrase 'having been perfected' implies being brought to a state of completion or fulfillment, not merely improving, but reaching the intended goal or ultimate purpose.