Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 5
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Hebrews 5
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Hebrews 5
"For 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:" — Hebrews 5:1 (ASV)
Taken.—Rather, being taken, since he is taken, from among men.
Gifts and sacrifices.—The former is in itself perfectly general; but when thus contrasted with “sacrifices” it denotes the “unbloody offerings” of the Law. On the Day of Atonement (which, as we shall see, is almost always in the writer’s thoughts as he refers to the functions of the high priest) the “offerings” would consist of the incense and of the “meat-offerings” connected with the burnt-sacrifices for the day. On that day all offerings, as well as all sacrifices, had relation to “sins.”
"who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity;" — Hebrews 5:2 (ASV)
Who can have compassion.—Rather, as one who can deal gently with (or, more strictly, feel gently towards) the ignorant and erring, because ... Either apathy or undue severity in regard to transgression would disqualify this representative of men to God.
It cannot be said that sin is mildly designated here, since the words so closely resemble those that occur in Hebrews 3:10. Still, the language is so chosen as to exclude sinning “with a high hand.”
"and by reason thereof is bound, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins." — Hebrews 5:3 (ASV)
This is closely joined with Hebrews 5:2: Is compassed with infirmity, and by reason thereof is bound... The law of the Day of Atonement required a sin-offering of a bullock and a burnt-offering of a ram for the high priest himself, and for the congregation a sin-offering of two he-goats and a burnt-offering of a ram. Over his own sin-offering the high priest made confession of sins, first for himself and his household, then for the priests; over the goat sent into the wilderness the sins of the people were confessed.
"And no man taketh the honor unto himself, but when he is called of God, even as was Aaron." — Hebrews 5:4 (ASV)
But he who is called.—The true reading requires, when he is called. Not to himself does any man take the honour, but when . . .
"So 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:" — Hebrews 5:5 (ASV)
Christ.—Better, the Christ . It is important to note that in passages of the Pentateuch where the high priest receives a special designation (usually “the priest” is sufficiently distinctive), his title is almost always “the anointed priest.” Therefore, in the one designation, “the Christ,” are united the two testimonies of Scripture that follow. He is the Anointed King (Psalms 2:7), addressed by Jehovah as His Son (see Notes on Hebrews 1:2; Hebrews 1:4–5); by the same Jehovah He is addressed as Priest forever after the order of one who was both priest and king (Psalms 110:4).
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