“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:”
My Notes
What Does Hebrews 5:1 Mean?
"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." The author describes the high priest's job description: taken FROM humanity, appointed FOR humanity, in things pertaining to God. The high priest is a bridge figure — fully human (taken from among men) and fully oriented toward God (in things pertaining to God). His function: offering gifts (voluntary offerings) and sacrifices for sins (required atonement). Both dimensions of worship — gratitude and guilt — flow through the same person.
The qualification "taken from among men" is critical for the argument that follows: Jesus, as high priest, must share human nature to represent humans before God. A non-human priest can't mediate for humans. The priest must be one of us.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What does the high priest being 'taken from among men' (fully human) mean for how Jesus relates to your struggles?
- 2.How does the priest serving for others (not for self) model the purpose of spiritual leadership?
- 3.What does the combination of 'gifts' (gratitude) and 'sacrifices for sins' (atonement) cover about worship?
- 4.How does the Old Testament high priest's job description help you understand what Jesus does for you now?
Devotional
Taken from humanity. Appointed for humanity. In things pertaining to God. The high priest is the bridge between two worlds — standing with one foot in the human condition and one foot in the divine presence. And the bridge works because the priest belongs to both.
Taken from among men. The high priest isn't an angel. Isn't a special category of being. He's human — pulled from the same population he serves. He knows what hunger feels like. What grief feels like. What temptation feels like. What fear feels like. Because he's one of us. The qualification for mediating between God and humans is being human first.
Ordained for men. Appointed on behalf of the people. The high priest doesn't exist for his own spiritual development. He exists for the people he represents. Every sacrifice he offers is for them. Every entrance into the Holy of Holies is on their behalf. The priesthood is service, not privilege. The ordination is for others, not for self.
In things pertaining to God. The priest's domain: the God-ward dimension of human existence. Not politics. Not economics. Not cultural leadership. The things pertaining to God — worship, atonement, intercession, the sacred space where heaven and earth overlap. The priest lives in that overlap professionally.
That he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. Two categories covering the full range of worship: gifts (dōra — voluntary offerings of gratitude, thanksgiving, devotion) and sacrifices for sins (thysias hyper hamartiōn — the required blood atonement that covers guilt). The priest handles both: the joyful giving and the grievous atoning. The thank-you offering and the sin offering pass through the same hands.
The chapter will apply all of this to Jesus: he is the high priest taken from among men (he became human), appointed for men (he serves on our behalf), in things pertaining to God (he enters the heavenly Holy of Holies), offering the ultimate sacrifice for sins (his own blood). Every element of the Old Testament high priest's job description is fulfilled in Jesus — except Jesus does it once, perfectly, and permanently.
The priest you need is one of you. Fully human. Fully acquainted with your weakness. And fully authorized to stand before God on your behalf.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
For every high priest taken from among men,.... Every one that was an high priest under the law was a man, and not an…
For every high priest - That is, among the Jews, for the remarks relate to the Jewish system. The Jews had one high…
For every high priest taken from among men - This seems to refer to Lev 21:10, where it is intimated that the high…
We have here an account of the nature of the priestly office in general, though with an accommodation to the Lord Jesus…
For every high priest taken from among men Rather, "being taken," or "chosen as he is" (comp. Exo 28:1). The writer now…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture