Hebrews 5:1

Hebrews 5:1 introduces the foundational role of the Old Testament high priest, setting the stage for the book's central argument about the superiority of Jesus Christ as the ultimate High Priest. This verse highlights the essential qualifications and duties of those appointed to mediate between God and humanity under the Mosaic Covenant.

Context

The book of Hebrews is a theological masterpiece written to Jewish Christians who were perhaps wavering in their faith and considering a return to the familiar rituals of the Old Covenant. This chapter, in particular, begins a detailed comparison between the Levitical priesthood and the new priesthood of Christ. Verse 1 describes the established system: human priests were chosen from the community to represent people before God, offering sacrifices for sins. This prepares the reader to understand why a different, better High Priest was needed, leading into the discussion of Christ's priesthood "after the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 5:6).

Key Themes

• Representation and Mediation: The high priest served as a vital intermediary, standing in for humanity "in things pertaining to God." He was the bridge between a holy God and sinful people, facilitating access and reconciliation.
• Humanity and Relatability: The phrase "taken from among men" emphasizes that the high priest shared the human experience, including weaknesses and temptations. This enabled him to sympathize with those he served, a quality later attributed to Christ (Hebrews 4:15).
• Divine Appointment: The high priest was "ordained" (appointed) by God, not self-appointed. This divine authorization was crucial for the legitimacy and efficacy of his ministry. His role was a sacred trust, given by divine decree.
• Atonement through Sacrifice: A primary duty was to "offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins." This points to the core function of the Old Covenant sacrificial system, which provided a temporary covering for sin and foreshadowed the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Christ. The need for continuous sacrifices underlined their inadequacy to permanently deal with sin, a point developed further in Hebrews.

Linguistic Insights

• The Greek word for "high priest" is archiereus (ἀρχιερεύς), literally "chief priest." This title designated the highest priestly office in Israel, responsible for the most sacred duties, including entering the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement.
• "Ordained" comes from the Greek verb kathistatai (καθίσταται), meaning "to appoint," "to establish," or "to constitute." It signifies a formal, authoritative designation to a specific office or function.
• The phrase "pertaining to God" (τὰ πρὸς τὸν Θεόν - ta pros ton Theon) highlights the sacred nature of the high priest's duties—they dealt directly with divine matters and the relationship between God and His people.
• "Sacrifices for sins" (θυσίας περὶ ἁμαρτιῶν - thysias peri hamartion) emphasizes the expiatory nature of these offerings, designed to address the problem of human sin before a holy God.

Practical Application

Hebrews 5:1, while describing the Levitical high priest, sets the stage for understanding the profound superiority of Jesus Christ. It helps us appreciate:

• Christ's Perfect Priesthood: Unlike human high priests who had to offer sacrifices for their own sins first (Hebrews 7:27), Jesus was sinless and offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice.
• Relatability of Christ: Because Christ also "was taken from among men" (though without sin), He can fully sympathize with our weaknesses and struggles, making Him an accessible and compassionate High Priest (Hebrews 4:15).
• Direct Access to God: Through Christ's completed work, believers no longer need an earthly high priest to mediate. We now have direct access to God's throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), making the Old Covenant system obsolete.