Devine Scripture

Hebrews 5:1

What does Hebrews 5:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 5:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 5:1 means

This verse defines what a high priest is and why he is needed. He is chosen from among human beings so he can represent them before God. His task covers “things pertaining to God,” especially presenting offerings and sacrifices for sins. Sin creates a barrier between people and God, and the high priest stands in the middle to deal with that barrier through God-ordained sacrifices. Being “appointed for men” highlights that his ministry is not private or self-serving; it is for the people’s benefit. The verse sets the office as both relational and sacrificial: the high priest shares the people’s nature and approaches God on their behalf with the gifts God has prescribed.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Every high priest who is taken from among men is given his position to take care of the interests of men in those things which have to do with God, so that he may make offerings for sins.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

For every chief priest--out of men taken--in behalf of men is set in things <FI>pertaining<Fi> to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in the things that appertain to God, that he may offer up gifts and sacrifices for sins:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For every high priest taken from amongst men is established for men in things relating toGod, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins;

Context

The writer begins by laying out the nature of the earthly high priest. This foundation matters because he will soon show how Christ fulfills and surpasses that role. Verse 1 introduces the high priest’s representative and sacrificial function. Verses 2–3 add the compassion and weakness of the human priest, and verse 4 stresses divine appointment. With this profile in place, verses 5–10 transition to Christ, who matches the pattern yet transcends it. The closing verses (11–14) then challenge the readers to grow so they can grasp these deeper truths.

v.1This passage

v.2who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 8:3

    For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is necessary that thishigh priestalso have somewhat to offer.

  • Leviticus 8:2

    Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and the bullock of the sin-offering, and the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread;

  • Hebrews 10:11

    And every priest indeed standeth day by day ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, the which can never take away sins:

  • Hebrews 11:4

    By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh.

  • Numbers 18:1

    And Jehovah said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy fathers’ house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary; and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.

  • Leviticus 9:15

    And he presented the people’s oblation, and took the goat of the sin-offering which was for the people, and slew it, and offered it for sin, as the first.

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