Hebrews 5:1-10: Jesus is the High Priest After the Order of Melchizedek
Christ, the God-appointed high priest after the order of Melchizedek, became the source of salvation for those who obey Him
Introduction
Quote
The reasoning of the previous paragraph continues here into chapter five. The author builds on the theme of Jesus’ priesthood, expanding particularly on 4:15 and the notion that Jesus is a priest who is like us and can sympathize with us in our humanity. This discussion includes an explanation of the priestly office. High priests were appointed by God from among the men and women for whom he would offer sacrifices. This lays additional groundwork for the extensive christological material that follows in the next division.
Scripture
Outline
Hebrews 1-2 - Jesus is Greater Than the Angels
Hebrews 3:1-4:13 - Jesus is a Greater Rest
Hebrews 4:14-7:26 - Jesus is Greater than Melchizedek
Purpose of Book
Christ, who has accomplished salvation through His atoning sacrifice, is greater than all things; therefore, persevere in true faith and encourage others to do likewise
Main Point
Christ, the God-appointed high priest after the order of Melchizedek, became the source of salvation for those who obey Him
Hebrews 5:1-4 - Humans as High Priests
What is the logical relationship between 4:14–16 and 5:1–10? The main point in 4:14–16 is that believers should hold fast their confession and draw near to God to receive grace and mercy. In 5:1–10 we discover why believers should hold fast the confession. They have a better high priest, one who is appointed by God and is a Melchizedekian priest. Turning away from such a priesthood, as 5:11–6:8 explains, is disastrous.
For every high priest chose from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God,
In the Old Testament, the primary purpose of the high priest was to serve as a representative and mediator between the people and Yahweh. The office was established with Aaron, the brother of Moses, and high priests were the head priest first at the tabernacle and then later at the temple. Zadok served as high priest in the temple during the reign of Solomon.
The high priest served several purposes that were crucial to Israelite worship. It was the high priest’s responsibility to see that the covenant was enforced, and to direct people to complete the duties of the temple and the law of Moses. As the representative for the nation of Israel, the high priest had a tremendous responsibility to direct the hearts of the people toward God and the fulfillment of the covenant. Some of the primary responsibilities of the high priest were the regular handling of sacrifices and offerings, the blessing of people, and the annual entrance into the most holy place within the tabernacle/temple during the Day of Atonement. Many of the duties, actions, and even the unique style of dress that was required of the high priest were symbolic.
② to assign someone a position of authority, appoint, put in charge
To offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
1. to offer (present) — to present for acceptance or rejection; often used of sacrifices.
2. offering — something presented (to a deity) for acceptance or rejection; often referring to sacrifices.
1. sacrifice — the act of killing an animal as an act of worship, restitution, or atonement in regards to a deity.
① a departure fr. either human or divine standards of uprightness
5. sin (guilt) — estrangement from god.
The Day of Atonement (Lev 16) was a more complex ceremony involving special priestly garments, five sacrificial animals (one bull, two goats, and two rams), incense, and the purification of the holy place. After the bull had been killed to atone for the sins of the priest, lots were cast over the two goats. One of the goats was killed and its blood used to purify the holy place; the people’s sins would be confessed over the other—the scapegoat—which was then released into the wilderness to carry away that sin. The two rams were then presented as a guilt offering for the priest and the people, and the fat of the bull and the slain goat was burned on the altar to conclude the ceremony.
The elaborate nature and blood sacrifice of these ceremonies attest the gravity with which the Old Testament views sin. The people’s participation in the ceremonies speaks to the dynamic, covenantal relationship between God and Israel.
He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward
1. to moderate one’s passions — to lessen or keep in measure the intensity or harshness of one’s emotions (especially anger).
④ to be unaware about one’s wrongdoing
4. to mislead (deceive) — to cause someone to wander from a proper belief or course of action.
Since he himself is beset with weaknesses.
Because of this
He is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins
Just as he does for those of the people.
And no one takes this honor for himself,
1. honor (state) — the state of being highly respected or revered
But only when called by God,
• ‘summon’ and ‘invite’ there develops the extended sense choose for receipt of a special benefit or experience, call
Just as Aaron was.
Hebrews 5:5-6 - Christ as High Priest
After a citation from Ps 2, the next five verses develop some of the most complex Christology of Hebrews. Before transitioning into the exhortation that begins the next division, the author highlights both the exalted divine identity of Jesus and his sympathizing human identity. He is God’s Son, designated and glorified by God as high priest, and he is the one who suffered and learned through his suffering.
So also
Christ did not exalt Himself to be made a high priest,
② to cause to have splendid greatness, clothe in splendor, glorify
5. to honor ⇔ glorify — to honor, conceived of as positively acknowledging, recognizing, or esteeming someone’s character, nature, or attributes.
But was appointed by him who said to him,
“You are my Son, today I have begotten you”;
As he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
Paired with Ps. 2:7 by verbal analogy, Ps. 110:4 (109:4 LXX) introduces the author’s major discourse on the appointment of the Son of God as a superior high priest (5:1–10; 7:1–28). In line with this function, the psalm passage reinforces the idea of appointment, to which the author now begins to turn his attention, and provides numerous elements that will be significant for his argument in chapter 7.
1. priest — a person who performs religious duties and ceremonies to a deity.
④ an arrangement in which someone or someth. functions
The king of Salem and priest of God Most High. Blesses Abram in Gen 14, referenced in Psa 110 in God’s promise to bless the Davidic king, and invoked in the letter to the Hebrews to affirm the priestly status of Christ.
Hebrews 5:7-10 - Jesus the Source of Salvation
In the days of his flesh,
10. life (course of) ⇔ flesh — a course of life; especially physical earthly existence as opposed to the supernatural.
Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save from death,
1. to offer (present) — to present for acceptance or rejection; often used of sacrifices.
urgent request to meet a need, exclusively addressed to God, prayer
1. divine entreaty — an earnest or urgent request (to God).
1. supplication — a humble request for help or mercy from someone in authority
And he was heard because of his reverence.
reverent awe in the presence of God
1. reverence — a feeling of profound respect for a deity.
Although he was a son,
He learned obedience through what he suffered.
to come to a realization, with implication of taking place less through instruction than through experience or practice
And being made perfect,
Rather, when Hebrews speaks of Jesus’ being “made perfect,” it is employing the LXX sense of consecration and ordination to priestly office (Ex. 29:9, 29, 33, 35; Lev. 4:5; 8:33; 16:32; 21:10; Num. 3:3; etc.). As Hebrews 2:17–18 and 5:8–10 show, Jesus underwent this induction to his priesthood not through external rituals of washing and anointing but through his lifelong obedience to the will of God amid trial and suffering, climaxing in his death.
He became the source of eternal salvation
1. salvation — the state of being delivered or preserved from harm (of judgment); especially as what that state entails, a safe haven in heaven.
To all who obey him,
Being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
1. to be addressed (dubbed) — to be addressed by some title or name; often thus becoming publicly designating as such.
Closing Quote
Can anyone miss the message to the little church on the high seas? This was their high priest, and our high priest in life’s uncertain seas today as well. Jesus persevered in submissive prayer in Gethsemane and was heard, and our prayers will be heard also if we persevere.
What motivations! We have the example of Jesus’ prayers. We have Jesus, “a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek… high priest in the order of Melchizedek” (vv. 6, 10). May we avail of ourselves of him day by day!