Hebrews

5:1-6

The Arguments, 2:10-12:29

1. Christ is a faithful and merciful high priest, 2:10-5:10

vii] The qualifications of a high priest

In this passage our writer introduces one of the central themes in his sermon, namely Christ the faithful and merciful high priest after the order of Melchizedek. First, he defines the qualities of a high priest: function, v1; sympathy, v2-3; and authorization, v4. These qualities are then applied to Christ, v5-10. In v5-6, Christ's call to the priesthood is supported from scripture. v1-4. The writer wants to show that Jesus is genuinely a high priest, although far superior to any of the descendents of Aaron, and is therefore, someone we can rely on to speak for us before the throne of God's grace.

lambanomenoV (lambanw) pres. pas. part. "is selected" - being chosen. The participle is adjectival, modifying "high priest": "who is selected from men", Moffatt.

kaqistatai (kaqisthmi) pres. pas. "appointed" - established, ordained [with respect of things pertaining of God]. Passive followed by an accusative of respect. The context of the book of Hebrews shows us that the writer is thinking specifically of the appointment of the high priest to offer special sacrifices for the sins of the people on the Day of Atonement. So, the prime function of a high priest is "to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins." Jesus maintains and reestablishes a relationship between man and God; he "represents" us.

iJna + subj. "to [offer]" - that [he may offer]. Introducing purpose clause; "in order to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins."

dunamenoV (dunamai) pres. pas. part. "He is able" - being able. The participle is adjectival, predicative of (making a statement about) "high priest", v1, "Every High Priest ..... is able ..."

metriopaqein (metrioaqew) pres. inf. "to deal gently" - to act with compassion, moderate emotions, act in consideration toward. The infinitive is complementary, completing the sense of "is able". An earthly high priest can act with moderation because he stands where the people stand, he is weak as the people are weak.

toiV aJgnoousin kai planwmenoiV "ignorant and going astray" - the ones ignorant and going astray. The two participles serve as substantives. The high priest can only deal with certain types of sin. He can only offer sacrifices for those who "go astray through their ignorance." It is unintentional sin he is to seek forgiveness for. The sacrificial system could not cope with deliberate or defiant law breaking, Num.15:28-30. Such a sinner could only rest on the mercy of God.

epei "since" - Introducing a causal clause, "because".

di + acc. "[this] is why" - because of [it]. Causal. "It / this" is the high priest's own sin.

ofeilei (ofeilw) pres. "he has to [offer sacrifices]" - he is obligated. Referring to the separate Day of Atonement sacrifice for the priest and the people.

prosferein (prosferw) pres. inf. "to offer" - to offer, bring (as in/for a sacrifice). The infinitive functions as the direct object of "is obligated"; "he is obligated ...... to offer (sacrifices) for sins."

kaloumenoV (kalew) pres. pas. part. "he must be called" - being called. The participle is adjectival, predicative of (making an assertion about) "the high priest"; "he / the high priest is called."

Our author has established that "Christ entirely meets the qualifications of a high priest specified in v1-4, namely divine appointment (v4) and solidarity with humanity(v1-3)", Ellingworth. Now our author establishes that "the Son is the effective mediator that he is because he is the High Priest who suffered and now sits enthroned in heavenly glory", Attridge.

outwV "so" - thus, so, in this way. With reference to what precedes.

ouc eJauton edocasen "did not take upon himself the glory" -did not glorify himself. Christ did not claim the position of divine high priest, but was appointed high priest by God.

genhqhnai (ginomai) aor. pas. inf. "of becoming" - to become. Forming a purpose clause "in order that"; "so as to become a high priest", Westcott.

alla "but" - but. Adversative.

oJ lalhsaV (lalew) aor. part. "God said [to him]" - the one having said [to him]. The participle functions as a substantive. "But by him who declared to him", Moffatt.

The quote comes from Psalm 2:7, cf. 1:5.

Our author now quotes his key text, a text which he uses to develop his particular take on the person of Christ. Not only has the Father authorized Jesus as the divine Son of God, the Davidic messiah, but he has also authorized him as the divine high priest. Although the priests were not of the house of David, our writer has discovered that Melchizedek was both a priest and also the king of Jerusalem. When David captured Jerusalem he inherited both the crown and priestly role of Melchizedek. So the Davidic Christ, in his atoning sacrifice upon the cross, now serves as the eternal faithful and merciful high priest who represents lost humanity before the throne of the living God. The text comes from Psalm 110:4.

kaqwV "-" - Often used to introduce a quote from scriputre.

en eJterw/ "in another place" - in another. "In the same way in another passage", Barclay.

eiV ton aiwna "forever" - to eternity.

thn taxin (iV ewV) "the order [of Melchizedek]" - "According to the nature of", rather than "order" in the sense of "succession", Ellingworth.

Hebrews Introduction

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