5:1 appointed on behalf God appointed priests to mediate between Himself and the Israelites (Lev 8:2; Num 8:6). While the ot emphasized that the priestly line was to be Levite and male (Exod 29:9, 44; Num 18:1–7), this passage emphasizes the common humanity between the priest and those he represents.

gifts and sacrifices Likely refers to sin (or purification) offerings and burnt offerings (see Lev 4:4; 9:7; 16:16; compare Ezek 45:15–17).

5:2 ignorant and led astray Refers to unintentional sins, as opposed to intentional sins (see Heb 9:7; Lev 4:2, 21–22; Num 15:30–31).

5:3 obligated to offer sacrifices The law required that priests offer an unblemished bull for their own sins before performing their priestly service on behalf of the people (Lev 4:3–12; 9:7). After this offering, they could offer sacrifices for the people of God (Lev 16:6, 11, 15–17).

5:4 does not take for himself As the deuterocanonical work 1 Maccabees records, kings negotiated and granted the offices of the priesthood, meaning that the office of priest was hijacked by those vying for power (1 Maccabees 7:9; 10:20; 11:27).

called by God God appointed Aaron and his sons to serve as priests within Israel (Exod 28:1).

5:5 Christ did not glorify himself Like priests in the line of Aaron, Christ did not appoint Himself—Christ was crowned with glory (doxa) on account of His death (Heb 2:7, 9; compare Isa 52:15).

Doxa Word Study

today I have begotten you This quotation from Psa 2:7 emphasizes that God—who called Jesus His “Son”—appointed Christ as high priest. The same verse is quoted in Heb 1:5.

5:6 priest forever This citation from Psa 110:4 is cited to demonstrate that God appointed Jesus as an eternal priest (e.g., Heb 5:10; 6:20).

Melchizedek A mysterious figure who appears in the Bible only in Gen 14:18; Psa 110:4, and several places in Hebrews (e.g., Heb 7).

5:7 flesh The Greek word used here, sarx, reinforces Jesus’ humanity (Heb 2:14). His incarnation is essential to His experience of human life, which culminated in His suffering and death.

prayers and supplications Likely refers to Jesus’ prayers in the garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:36–40; Mark 14:32–42; Luke 22:40–46; John 12:27–28).

the one Refers to God (1 Sam 2:6; Hos 13:14; Jas 4:12). He brought His people out of Egypt—the model of salvation in the ot.

5:8 learned obedience Jesus fully enacted and conformed to God’s will. He declared His obedience to God’s will at the incarnation and was without sin (Heb 4:15; 10:5–10; compare Isa 53:9). The image of Jesus as a son learning obedience illustrates His solidarity with humanity (Heb 12:5–11).

what he suffered In Hebrews, the Greek word paschō (“to suffer”) and the related noun pathēma (“suffering”) refer to Christ’s passion (2:9, 10; 9:26; 13:12). The culmination of Jesus’ learning was His obedience to God, even unto death.

5:9 perfected The Greek word used here might refer to Jesus’ perfect life of obedience, but the term appears elsewhere within Hebrews in reference to His suffering, death, and exaltation (2:10; 7:28; 10:14).

source of eternal salvation See 2:10; 8:1–10:18.

5:10 designated by Refers to God’s appointment of Jesus for His priestly role (see vv. 1, 5–6).

order of Melchizedek Paraphrases Psalm 110:4, adding in the detail of “high priest” (see Heb 5:8–9, 7).

5:11 this May refer to the priesthood of Jesus or Melchizedek (see 7:1–9).

5:12 oracles of God The Greek term used here probably refers to the ot Scriptures in general or prophecy in particular (e.g., Acts 7:38; Rom 3:2; 1 Pet 4:11).

milk, not solid food A common metaphor for levels of teaching or instruction (e.g., 1 Cor 3:1–4)—the author calls his audience to Christian maturity.

5:13 message of righteousness This expression could refer to sound ethical teaching, general Christian teachings, the doctrine of righteousness through Christ, or Israel’s Scriptures.

infant The nt metaphorically employs the image of an infant in reference to those who need correction (1 Cor 3:1–3), highlighting the need to grow in Christian maturity (Gal 4:1–6; Eph 4:13–16).

5:14 mature The Greek word here, teleios, is used metaphorically for those who are morally and spiritually prepared (see 1 Cor 2:6). They are complete and whole, an extension of the meaning of teleios.

trained Mature believers train themselves by constant practice. They are to be trained in godliness (Heb 12:11; compare 1 Tim 4:7).

their faculties A metaphor for a person’s entire being: heart, mind, and soul (Jer 4:19; 4 Macc 2:22).

distinguishing of both good and evil Describes the mark of Christian maturity (compare 2 Pet 2:14; see Deut 1:39; Isa 7:16).