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Hebrews Chapter 5

New Testament Epistle (General) 14 Verses

What is Hebrews 5 about?

The superiority of Christ over angels, Moses, the Levitical priesthood, and the old covenant sacrificial system — the new and better covenant. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
2who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity;
3and by reason thereof is bound, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
4And no man taketh the honor unto himself, but when he is called of God, even as was Aaron.
5So Christ also glorified not himself to be made a high priest, but he that spake unto him, Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee:
6as he saith also in another [place,] Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.
7Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear,
8though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered;
9and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;
10named of God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
11Of whom we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing.
12For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food.
13For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe.
14But solid food is for fullgrown men, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“For every high priest taken from among men, etc..] 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, (<022801>Exodus 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…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“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.…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“For every high priest - That is, among the Jews, for the remarks relate to the Jewish system. The Jews had one high priest who was regarded as the successor of Aaron. The word “high priest” means “chief priest;” that is, a priest of higher rank and office than others. By the original regulation the Jewish high priest was to be of the family of Aaron Exodus 29:9, though in later times the office was frequently conferred on others. In the time of the Romans it had become venal, and the Mosaic regulation was disregarded; 2 Macc. 4:7; Josephus, Ant. xv. 3. 1. It was no longer held for life, so that there were several…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“For every high priest being taken from among men - Is, till he is taken, of the same rank with them. And is appointed - That is, is wont to be appointed. In things pertaining to God - To bring God near to men, and men to God. That he may offer both gifts - Out of things inanimate, and animal sacrifices. Hebrews 5:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“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).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“every: Heb 10:11; Exo 28:1-14, 29:1-37; Lev 8:2 is ordained: Heb 8:3 for men: Heb 2:17; Num 16:46-48, Num 18:1-3 both: Heb 8:3, Heb 9:9, Heb 10:11, Heb 11:4; Lev 9:7, Lev 9:15-21 Hebrews 5:2”
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