Hebrews 5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5

The nature of the high priesthood of Christ; his pre-eminence, qualifications, and order, Hebrews 5:1-10 . Imperfect state of the believing Hebrews, and the necessity of spiritual improvement, Hebrews 5:11-14 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5:1

For every high priest taken from among men - This seems to refer to Leviticus 21:10 , where it is intimated that the high priest shall be taken מאחיו meachaiv , from his brethren; i.e. he shall be of the tribe of Levi, and of the family of Aaron. Is ordained for men - Ὑπερ ανθρωπων καθισταται τα προς τον Θεον· Is appointed to preside over the Divine worship in those things which relate to man's salvation. That he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins - God ever... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5:2

Who can have compassion on the ignorant - The word μετριοπαθειν , signifies, not merely to have compassion, but to act with moderation, and to bear with each in proportion to his ignorance, weakness, and untoward circumstances, all taken into consideration with the offenses he has committed: in a word, to pity, feel for, and excuse, as far as possible; and, when the provocation is at the highest, to moderate one's passion towards the culprit, and be ready to pardon; and when punishment... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5:3

And by reason hereof - As he is also a transgressor of the commands of God, and unable to observe the law in its spirituality, he must offer sacrifices for sin, not only for the people, but for himself also: this must teach him to have a fellow feeling for others. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5:4

This honor - Την τιμην undoubtedly signifies here the office, which is one meaning of the word in the best Greek writers. It is here an honorable office, because the man is the high priest of God, and is appointed by God himself to that office. But he that is called of God, as was Aaron - God himself appointed the tribe and family out of which the high priest was to be taken, and Aaron and his sons were expressly chosen by God to fill the office of the high priesthood. As God alone had... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5:5

Christ glorified not himself - The man Jesus Christ, was also appointed by God to this most awful yet glorious office, of being the High Priest of the whole human race. The Jewish high priest represented this by the sacrifices of beasts which he offered; the Christian High Priest must offer his own life: Jesus Christ did so; and, rising from the dead, he ascended to heaven, and there ever appeareth in the presence of God for us. Thus he has reassumed the sacerdotal office; and because he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5:6

He saith also in another place - That is, in Psalm 110:4 , a psalm of extraordinary importance, containing a very striking prediction of the birth, preaching, suffering, death, and conquests of the Messiah. See the notes on Psalm 110:4 . For the mode of quotation here, See the note on Hebrews 2:6 . Thou art a priest for ever - As long as the sun and moon endure, Jesus will continue to be high priest to all the successive generations of men, as he was the lamb slain from the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5:7

Who in the days of his flesh - The time of his incarnation, during which he took all the infirmities of human nature upon him, and was afflicted in his body and human soul just as other men are, irregular and sinful passions excepted. Offered up prayers and supplications - This is one of the most difficult places in this epistle, if not in the whole of the New Testament. The labors of learned men upon it have been prodigious; and even in their sayings it is hard to find the meaning. I... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5:8

Though he were a Son - See the whole of the preceding note. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5:9

And being made perfect - Και τελειωθεις· And having finished all - having died and risen again. Τελειωθηναι signifies to have obtained the goal; to have ended one's labor, and enjoyed the fruits of it. Hebrews 12:23 ; : The spirits of just men made perfect, πνευμασι δικαιων τετελειωμενων , means the souls of those who have gained the goal, and obtained the prize. So, when Christ had finished his course of tremendous sufferings, and consummated the whole by his death and resurrection,... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 5:9

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