Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God,(A) to offer gifts and sacrifices(B) for sins.(C) He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray,(D) since he himself is subject to weakness.(E) This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.(F) And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.(G)

In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory(H) of becoming a high priest.(I) But God said(J) to him,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father.”[a](K)

And he says in another place,

“You are a priest forever,
    in the order of Melchizedek.(L)[b](M)

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions(N) with fervent cries and tears(O) to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard(P) because of his reverent submission.(Q) Son(R) though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered(S) and, once made perfect,(T) he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest(U) in the order of Melchizedek.(V)

Warning Against Falling Away(W)

11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths(X) of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!(Y) 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant,(Z) is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature,(AA) who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.(AB)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 5:5 Psalm 2:7
  2. Hebrews 5:6 Psalm 110:4

High Priests Are Called By God From Among Men To Offer Sacrifices For Sins

For every high priest being taken from-among men is appointed for people in the things pertaining to God, in order that he might offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins— being able to deal-gently with the ones being ignorant and going-astray since he himself is also surrounded with weakness. And because of it[a], he is obligated to be offering sacrifices for sins— just as for the people, so also for himself. And one does not take the honor to himself, but receives it being called by God, just as also Aaron.

So Also Jesus Was Made High Priest By God

So also, Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but the One having said to Him [in Ps 2:7] “You are My Son. Today I have fathered You” did, just as also in another place He says “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” [Ps 110:4],

Although Being a Son, He Learned Obedience From His Sufferings

... Who, in the days of His flesh[b] having offered both petitions and supplications[c] with a strong outcry and tears to the One being able to save Him from[d] death[e], and having been heard because of His reverence[f], although being a Son[g], learned obedience from the things which He suffered[h].

And Jesus Became The Cause of Salvation, As High Priest In The Order of Melchizedek

And having been perfected[i], He became the cause[j] of eternal salvation to all the ones obeying Him, 10 having been designated[k] by God as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek—

This Is Hard To Explain To You

11 ... concerning whom[l] our message-to-speak is great[m] and hard-to-interpret[n] so as to speak, since you have become sluggish[o] in the hearing.

For You Are Still Immature In The Word

12 For indeed, [although] being obligated to be teachers because of the time, you again have a need that someone be teaching you the elements[p] of [q] the beginning[r] concerning the oracles[s] of God. And you have become ones having a need of milk and not of solid[t] food. 13 For everyone partaking of milk is inexperienced in the word of [u] righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But the solid food is for the mature— the ones because of habit[v] having their faculties[w] trained for discernment of both good and evil.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 5:3 That is, his weakness.
  2. Hebrews 5:7 Or, in His days of the flesh.
  3. Hebrews 5:7 Or, pleadings.
  4. Hebrews 5:7 Or, out of.
  5. Hebrews 5:7 That is, peril of death; or, dying; or, physical death (through resurrection).
  6. Hebrews 5:7 Or, piety, devotion, godly fear.
  7. Hebrews 5:8 That is, One whose essential quality is that He is God’s own Son.
  8. Hebrews 5:8 Jesus learned obedience to God’s will from undeserved suffering, rather than from the consequences of personal sin.
  9. Hebrews 5:9 That is, as a human, by the sufferings.
  10. Hebrews 5:9 Or, source, grounds.
  11. Hebrews 5:10 Or, addressed, named.
  12. Hebrews 5:11 That is, Melchizedek. Or, which; that is, Christ as High Priest.
  13. Hebrews 5:11 That is, great in length (long); or, great in quality (deep, profound).
  14. Hebrews 5:11 That is, difficult to put in words you will understand.
  15. Hebrews 5:11 Or, lazy, dull.
  16. Hebrews 5:12 Or, fundamentals, basics.
  17. Hebrews 5:12 That is, belonging to.
  18. Hebrews 5:12 Or, first thing.
  19. Hebrews 5:12 Or, sayings.
  20. Hebrews 5:12 In this context, solid food refers to teaching about Christ as High Priest.
  21. Hebrews 5:13 That is, about, leading to.
  22. Hebrews 5:14 Or, practice, constant use.
  23. Hebrews 5:14 That is, moral senses.

Qualifications for High Priesthood

For every high priest taken from among men (A)is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can [a]have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to (B)weakness. Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for (C)himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as (D)Aaron was.

A Priest Forever

(E)So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:

(F)“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.”

As He also says in another place:

(G)“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek”;

who, in the days of His flesh, when He had (H)offered up prayers and supplications, (I)with vehement cries and tears to Him (J)who was able to save Him from death, and was heard (K)because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned (L)obedience by the things which He suffered. And (M)having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest (N)“according to the order of Melchizedek,” 11 of whom (O)we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become (P)dull of hearing.

Spiritual Immaturity

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the [b]oracles of God; and you have come to need (Q)milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is (R)a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are [c]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [d]use have their senses exercised (S)to discern both good and evil.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 5:2 deal gently with
  2. Hebrews 5:12 sayings, Scriptures
  3. Hebrews 5:14 mature
  4. Hebrews 5:14 practice

For every high priest chosen from among men (A)is appointed to act on behalf of men (B)in relation to God, (C)to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. (D)He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself (E)is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins (F)just as he does for those of the people. And (G)no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, (H)just as Aaron was.

So also Christ (I)did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,

(J)“You are my Son,
    today I have begotten you”;

as he says also in another place,

(K)“You are a priest forever,
    after the order of Melchizedek.”

In the days of his flesh, (L)Jesus[a] offered up prayers and supplications, (M)with loud cries and tears, to him (N)who was able to save him from death, and (O)he was heard because of his reverence. Although (P)he was a son, (Q)he learned obedience through what he suffered. And (R)being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest (S)after the order of Melchizedek.

Warning Against Apostasy

11 About this we have much to say, and it is (T)hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again (U)the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need (V)milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is (W)a child. 14 But solid food is for (X)the mature, for those who have their powers (Y)of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 5:7 Greek he