Devine Scripture

Hebrews 5:4

What does Hebrews 5:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 5:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 5:4 means

Priesthood is an honor that cannot be seized. No one can appoint himself to this sacred role. God must call a man, as He called Aaron. This protects the office from personal pride and ensures that the priest serves by God’s authority, not human preference. It also anchors the priesthood in revelation and covenant, not charisma or popular opinion. By pointing to Aaron, the verse reminds readers of the original, God-instituted pattern for Israel’s worship. The implication is clear: legitimacy in priestly service depends on God’s choice. This sets the stage to show that Christ, too, holds His priesthood by divine declaration, not by self-exaltation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And no man taketh the honor unto himself, but when he is called of God, even as was Aaron.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And no man taketh the honor unto himself, but when he is called of God, even as was Aaron.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And no man who is not given authority by God, as Aaron was, takes this honour for himself.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and no one to himself doth take the honour, but he who is called by God, as also Aaron:

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Neither doth any man take the honour to himself, but he that is called by God, as Aaron was.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And no one takes the honour to himself but [as] called byGod, even as Aaron also.

Context

Having described the high priest’s nature and weakness (vv. 1–3), the author now stresses the necessity of a divine call. This closes the description of the Aaronic model and opens the door for direct comparison. Immediately in verses 5–6, he demonstrates that Christ’s priesthood rests on God’s own word. The argument is careful: first define the office and its appointment, then show Christ meets—indeed surpasses—those terms. After proving His appointment, the writer will explain in verses 7–9 how Christ became perfectly qualified through suffering.

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

v.4This passage

v.5So 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:

Cross references

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

  • Numbers 16:35

    And fire came forth from Jehovah, and devoured the two hundred and fifty men that offered the incense.

  • John 3:27

    John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven.

  • Numbers 18:7

    And thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priesthood for everything of the altar, and for that within the veil; and ye shall serve: I give you the priesthood as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

  • 1 Chronicles 23:13

    The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses; and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons, for ever, to burn incense before Jehovah, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, for ever.

  • 2 Chronicles 26:18

    and they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It pertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto Jehovah, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honor from Jehovah God.

  • Numbers 3:3

    These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests that were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest’s office.

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