Devine Scripture

Hebrews 5:2

What does Hebrews 5:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 5:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 5:2 means

A human high priest should deal gently with people because he understands their struggles. Many sins spring from ignorance or wandering rather than deliberate defiance. Because the priest himself is surrounded by weakness, he can sympathize and temper his response with patience. This does not excuse sin, but it frames the priest’s ministry in mercy and realism. He knows the frailty of those he serves because he shares it. The verse emphasizes the pastoral heart required for the role—a heart shaped by humility. The priest’s awareness of his own limitations equips him to guide others back to God rather than crush them under their failures.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

He is able to have feeling for those who have no knowledge and for those who are wandering from the true way, because he himself is feeble;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

able to be gentle to those ignorant and going astray, since himself also is compassed with infirmity;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Who can have compassion on them that are ignorant and that err: because he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

being able to exercise forbearance towards the ignorant and erring, since he himself also is clothed with infirmity;

Context

Following the job description in verse 1, this verse highlights the high priest’s required disposition—gentleness born of shared weakness. The writer is building a full picture of the Aaronic priesthood’s strengths and limits. Verse 3 will show the practical consequence of that weakness: the priest must atone for his own sins as well as the people’s. Together, these verses prepare the contrast with Christ, who shares our experience yet brings a superior, lasting remedy. The comparison will unfold more fully in verses 5–10.

v.1For 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:

v.2This passage

v.3and by reason thereof is bound, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

Cross references

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

  • Hebrews 7:28

    For the law appointeth men high priests, having infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, appointeth a Son, perfected for evermore.

  • Hebrews 2:18

    For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.

  • Luke 22:32

    but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren.

  • Numbers 12:1

    And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married; for he had married a Cushite woman.

  • Numbers 15:22

    And when ye shall err, and not observe all these commandments, which Jehovah hath spoken unto Moses,

  • Hebrews 4:15

    For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

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