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Hebrews 5

BSB·14 verses ·New Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1EveryΠᾶςPas — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → high priestἀρχιερεὺςarchiereus — High priest; chief priestG749 — Full Word Study → is appointedκαθίσταταιkathistatai — to appoint, ordain, or constitute in an officeG2525 — Full Word Study → from amongἐξex — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → menἀνθρώπωνanthrōpōn — human being, man, personG444 — Full Word Study → to representὑπὲρhyper — on behalf of, for the sake of, above, beyondG5228 — Full Word Study → them in mattersτὰta — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → relating toπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → GodΘεόνTheon — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →, toἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → offerπροσφέρῃprospherē — to offer, present, or bring toG4374 — Full Word Study → giftsδῶράdōra — A gift or offering; a presentG1435 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → sacrificesθυσίαςthysias — Offering or sacrifice presented to GodG2378 — Full Word Study → forὑπὲρhyper — on behalf of, for the sake of, above, beyondG5228 — Full Word Study → sinsἁμαρτιῶνhamartiōn — transgression, violation of God's law; wrongdoingG266 — Full Word Study →. 2He is ableδυνάμενοςdynamenos — To be able; to have power or capacityG1410 — Full Word Study → to deal gentlyμετριοπαθεῖνmetriopathein — to be gentle or compassionate in dealing with othersG3356 — Full Word Study → with those whoτοῖςtois — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → are ignorantἀγνοοῦσινagnoousin — to be ignorant of; not to know or understandG50 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → misguidedπλανωμένοιςplanōmenois — to lead astray, deceive, or cause to wanderG4105 — Full Word Study →, sinceἐπεὶepei — since, because, inasmuch asG1893 — Full Word Study → he himselfαὐτὸςautos — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → is beset by weaknessἀσθένειανastheneian — Physical weakness, infirmity, or sicknessG769 — Full Word Study →. 3That is whyδι’di’ — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → he is obligatedὀφείλειopheilei — to owe; to be obligated or indebtedG3784 — Full Word Study → to offer sacrificesπροσφέρεινprospherein — to offer, present, or bring toG4374 — Full Word Study → forπερὶperi — about, concerning, around, on behalf ofG4012 — Full Word Study → his ownαὑτοῦ*hautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → sinsἁμαρτιῶνhamartiōn — transgression, violation of God's law; wrongdoingG266 — Full Word Study →, as well asκαθὼςkathōs — just as; in the manner that; according toG2531 — Full Word Study → for theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → sins of the peopleλαοῦlaou — a people; a nation; the common peopleG2992 — Full Word Study →. 4Noοὐχouch — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → oneτιςtis — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → takesλαμβάνειlambanei — to take, receive, or obtainG2983 — Full Word Study → this honorτιμήνtimēn — honor, respect, or monetary valueG5092 — Full Word Study → upon himselfἑαυτῷheautō — himself, herself, itself, themselves; oneselfG1438 — Full Word Study →; he must be calledκαλούμενοςkaloumenos — to call, summon, or nameG2564 — Full Word Study → byὑπὸhypo — under; by; from the agency ofG5259 — Full Word Study → GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →, just asκαθώσπερkathōsper — just as; in the manner that; according toG2531 — Full Word Study → AaronἈαρώνAarōn — Exalted FatherG2 — Full Word Study → was. 5SoΟὕτωςHoutōs — in this manner; thus; soG3779 — Full Word Study → alsoκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → ChristΧριστὸςChristos — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study → did not take upon Himself the gloryἐδόξασενedoxasen — To glorify, honor, or magnify with praiseG1392 — Full Word Study → of becomingγενηθῆναιgenēthēnai — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → a high priestἀρχιερέαarchierea — High priest; chief priestG749 — Full Word Study →, but He was called by the One who saidλαλήσαςlalēsas — to speak, say, or utter wordsG2980 — Full Word Study → toπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → Himαὐτόνauton — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study →: “Youσύsy — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → areεἶei — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → Myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → SonΥἱόςHuios — Son; male child or descendantG5207 — Full Word Study →; todayσήμερονsēmeron — Today; this present dayG4594 — Full Word Study → Iἐγὼegō — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → have become Your Fatherγεγέννηκάgegennēka — to beget, bring forth, give birthG1080 — Full Word Study →.” 6Andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → another passage God says: “You are a priestἱερεὺςhiereus — priest; one who offers sacrificesG2409 — Full Word Study → foreverαἰῶναaiōna — An age, era, or eternal period of timeG165 — Full Word Study → inκατὰkata — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → theτὴνtēn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → orderτάξινtaxin — Orderly arrangement; proper sequence or rankG5010 — Full Word Study → of MelchizedekΜελχισέδεκMelchisedek — King of RighteousnessG3198 — Full Word Study →.” 7Duringἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → theταῖςtais — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → daysἡμέραιςhēmerais — A 24-hour period; time; eraG2250 — Full Word Study → ofτῆςtēs — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → Jesus’ earthly life, He offered upπροσενέγκαςprosenenkas — to offer, present, or bring toG4374 — Full Word Study → prayersδεήσειςdeēseis — earnest petition or supplicationG1162 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → petitionsἱκετηρίαςhiketērias — earnest supplication or urgent petitionG2428 — Full Word Study → withμετὰmeta — with, after, among, followingG3326 — Full Word Study → loudἰσχυρᾶςischyras — Strong, mighty, powerfulG2478 — Full Word Study → criesκραυγῆςkraugēs — A loud cry or shout; clamorous outcryG2906 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → tearsδακρύωνdakryōn — tear, teardropG1144 — Full Word Study → toπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → the One who couldδυνάμενονdynamenon — To be able; to have power or capacityG1410 — Full Word Study → saveσῴζεινsōzein — To save, rescue, or deliver from danger or harmG4982 — Full Word Study → Himαὐτὸνauton — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → fromἐκek — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → deathθανάτουthanatou — Death; the state or condition of being deadG2288 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → He was heardεἰσακουσθεὶςeisakoustheis — to hear and respond favorably; to listen toG1522 — Full Word Study → because ofἀπὸapo — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → His reverenceεὐλαβείαςeulabeias — cautious reverence, godly fear, careful respectG2124 — Full Word Study →. 8Althoughκαίπερkaiper — although, even though, despite the fact thatG2539 — Full Word Study → He wasὢνōn — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → a SonΥἱόςHuios — Son; male child or descendantG5207 — Full Word Study →, He learnedἔμαθενemathen — to learn, acquire knowledge or skillG3129 — Full Word Study → obedienceὑπακοήνhypakoēn — Submission to authority; willing obedienceG5218 — Full Word Study → fromἀφ’aph’ — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → whatὧνhōn — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → He sufferedἔπαθενepathen — to suffer or endure hardshipG3958 — Full Word Study →. 9Andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → having been made perfectτελειωθεὶςteleiōtheis — to make perfect, complete, or matureG5048 — Full Word Study →, He becameἐγένετοegeneto — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → the source of eternalαἰωνίουaiōniou — eternal, everlasting, foreverG166 — Full Word Study → salvationσωτηρίαςsōtērias — deliverance, rescue, salvationG4991 — Full Word Study → to allπᾶσινpasin — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → whoτοῖςtois — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → obeyὑπακούουσινhypakouousin — to obey, to listen and complyG5219 — Full Word Study → Himαὐτῷautō — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → 10and was designated byὑπὸhypo — under; by; from the agency ofG5259 — Full Word Study → God as high priestἀρχιερεὺςarchiereus — High priest; chief priestG749 — Full Word Study → inκατὰkata — according to, down along, againstG2596 — Full Word Study → theτὴνtēn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → orderτάξινtaxin — Orderly arrangement; proper sequence or rankG5010 — Full Word Study → of MelchizedekΜελχισέδεκMelchisedek — King of RighteousnessG3198 — Full Word Study →. 11We have muchπολὺςpolys — much, many, great in quantity or degreeG4183 — Full Word Study → to sayλόγοςlogos — word, statement, message, divine utteranceG3056 — Full Word Study → aboutΠερὶPeri — about, concerning, around, on behalf ofG4012 — Full Word Study → this, but it is hard to explainδυσερμήνευτοςdysermēneutos — Hard to explain or interpretG1421 — Full Word Study →, becauseἐπεὶepei — since, because, inasmuch asG1893 — Full Word Study → you areγεγόνατεgegonate — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → dullνωθροὶnōthroi — sluggish, lazy, dull in perception or actionG3576 — Full Word Study → ofταῖςtais — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → hearingἀκοαῖςakoais — The act of hearing; what is heard; fame or reportG189 — Full Word Study →. 12Althoughκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → byδιὰdia — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → this timeχρόνονchronon — A period of time; duration or seasonG5550 — Full Word Study → you oughtὀφείλοντεςopheilontes — to owe; to be obligated or indebtedG3784 — Full Word Study → to beεἶναιeinai — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → teachersδιδάσκαλοιdidaskaloi — teacherG1320 — Full Word Study →, youἔχετεechete — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → needχρείανchreian — physical need, necessity, requirementG5532 — Full Word Study → someone to reteachδιδάσκεινdidaskein — to teach, instruct, or communicate doctrineG1321 — Full Word Study → youὑμᾶςhymas — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → theτὰta — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → basicἀρχῆςarchēs — Beginning, origin, or first principleG746 — Full Word Study → principlesστοιχεῖαstoicheia — foundational principles, elemental rudimentsG4747 — Full Word Study → of God’sΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → wordλογίωνlogiōn — divine utterances; God's spoken wordsG3051 — Full Word Study →. You needχρείανchreian — physical need, necessity, requirementG5532 — Full Word Study → milkγάλακτοςgalaktos — milk; sustenance for infantsG1051 — Full Word Study →, notοὐou — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → solidστερεᾶςstereas — Strong, firm, solid, steadfastG4731 — Full Word Study → foodτροφῆςtrophēs — Food; nourishment; sustenanceG5160 — Full Word Study →! 13Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → everyoneπᾶςpas — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → whoho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → lives onμετέχωνmetechōn — to share in, partake of, participate inG3348 — Full Word Study → milkγάλακτοςgalaktos — milk; sustenance for infantsG1051 — Full Word Study → is still an infantνήπιοςnēpios — infant, small child, or one who is spiritually immatureG3516 — Full Word Study →, inexperiencedἄπειροςapeiros — Inexperienced; unskilled; lacking practiceG552 — Full Word Study → in the message of righteousnessδικαιοσύνηςdikaiosynēs — Righteousness; right standing with GodG1343 — Full Word Study →. 14Butδέde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → solidστερεὰsterea — Strong, firm, solid, steadfastG4731 — Full Word Study → foodτροφήtrophē — Food; nourishment; sustenanceG5160 — Full Word Study → isἐστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → for the mature, whoτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → byδιὰdia — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → constant useἕξινhexin — habit, practice, or customary behaviorG1838 — Full Word Study → haveἐχόντωνechontōn — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → trainedγεγυμνασμέναgegymnasmena — To train or discipline through exerciseG1128 — Full Word Study → their sensesαἰσθητήριαaisthētēria — Organ of perception; faculty of sensationG145 — Full Word Study → toπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → distinguishδιάκρισινdiakrisin — Discernment; the ability to distinguish or judge between thingsG1253 — Full Word Study → goodκαλοῦkalou — good, beneficial, morally excellentG2570 — Full Word Study → from evilκακοῦkakou — evil, wicked, bad, morally corruptG2556 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Hebrews 5
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Hebrews 5 moves us deeper into understanding Jesus Christ as our ultimate High Priest. The author begins by establishing the qualifications and duties of a high priest under the Old Covenant, then demonstrates how Jesus perfectly fulfills this role—yet in a way far superior to any earthly priest. A major theme introduced here is the priesthood of Melchizedek, which the author will explore more fully in later chapters. Finally, the chapter includes a pastoral rebuke, calling the Hebrew Christians to spiritual maturity rather than remaining spiritual infants dependent on elementary teachings.

Verses 1–4: The Function and Calling of a High Priest

The writer begins by describing the essential role of the Old Testament high priest. Every priest was chosen from among ordinary men and appointed to represent the people before God—offering gifts and sacrifices for their sins. A crucial qualification appears in verse 2: a priest must be able to have compassion on the ignorant because he himself shares human weakness and infirmity. This empathy was essential. The high priest understood sin and struggle firsthand because he was sinful too. Verse 3 emphasizes that priests had to offer sacrifices for themselves as well as for the people—a point of difference from Christ that will become clear.

Verse 4 establishes that no one could claim the priesthood by personal ambition. It was a divine calling: "no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God." The reference to Aaron anchors this in Old Testament history—the Levitical priesthood was divinely instituted. This principle of divine calling and ordination is foundational to what follows.

Application: We serve a God who calls His servants and equips them. If you feel called to ministry or service, remember that authentic calling flows from God's initiative, not human ambition or self-promotion.

Verses 5–10: Christ as the Superior High Priest

Here the author makes his central claim: Jesus Christ is the ultimate High Priest, yet He did not appoint Himself. Verse 5 quotes Psalm 2:7—"Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee"—emphasizing that the Father glorified Christ as High Priest. Verse 6 introduces a new and crucial concept from Psalm 110:4: Jesus is "a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec," not after the order of Aaron. This distinction hints at a priesthood that transcends the Levitical system entirely—a theme that deserves deep study.

Verses 7–8 present a striking image of Christ's earthly ministry. In days of his flesh, Jesus offered prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to God—likely referencing Gethsemane. Yet Christ learned obedience by the things which he suffered. This doesn't mean Jesus was disobedient; rather, He learned obedience in its deepest, most costly expression through suffering. Unlike earthly priests who needed sympathy because of their own weakness, Christ's compassion flows from His voluntary identification with human suffering.

Verse 9 declares the result: being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. His perfection came through His completed redemptive work. His salvation is eternal—not temporary like the annual sacrifices of the old system.

Application: Christ understands your struggle because He suffered. His compassion is not detached sympathy but costly identification. Trust His finished work.

Verses 11–14: A Call to Spiritual Maturity

The author pauses to rebuke his readers for spiritual immaturity. They are dull of hearing and need someone to teach them again the elementary principles rather than progressing to solid teaching. He contrasts spiritual infants who need milk with mature believers who can digest strong meat. Spiritual growth requires consistent practice—use—so that senses become exercised to discern good from evil.

Application: Don't remain spiritually dependent on others indefinitely. Pursue deeper knowledge of God's Word and develop discernment through faithful study and obedience.

Application for Today

Jesus alone is the High Priest we need. Unlike earthly priests, He required no sacrifice for Himself, offers eternal salvation, and does so through divine calling and perfect obedience. Come to Him with full confidence in His sufficiency. And as you follow Christ, press toward spiritual maturity—move from milk to meat, from basics to deeper understanding and practical godliness.

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