Hebrews 5:2

KJV

Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

KJV (with Strong's)

Who can {G1410} have compassion {G3356} on the ignorant {G50}, and {G2532} on them that are out of the way {G4105}; for {G1893} that he {G4029} himself {G846} also {G2532} is compassed {G4029} with infirmity {G769}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He can deal gently with the ignorant and with those who go astray, since he too is subject to weakness.

Berean Standard Bible

He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is beset by weakness.

American Standard Version

who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 5:2 describes a crucial qualification for the high priest: his ability to deal gently and empathetically with those who err, whether through ignorance or by straying from the truth, precisely because he himself shares in human weakness and frailty. This verse highlights the necessity of a compassionate leader who understands the struggles of his people, setting the stage for the author's subsequent argument about Jesus Christ's superior, yet deeply empathetic, priesthood.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hebrews 5:2 is an integral part of a broader argument (Hebrews 5:1-10) detailing the qualifications and nature of the high priesthood, which serves as a foundational premise for introducing Jesus Christ as the ultimate and perfect High Priest. The preceding verse, [Hebrews 5:1](/hebrews/5-1 "Hebrews 5:1 - The High Priest's Role"), establishes that any high priest must be chosen from among humanity to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. Verse 2 then elaborates on a critical aspect of this role: the high priest's capacity for compassion, born out of his own shared human frailty. This immediate context underscores the author's rhetorical strategy of first defining the ideal (human) high priest before demonstrating how Jesus surpasses and perfectly embodies these qualities, even while being sinless.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The epistle to the Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were familiar with the Levitical priesthood and its elaborate sacrificial system, as detailed in the Torah, particularly the books of [Exodus](/exodus/ "Exodus - The Exodus and Law") and [Leviticus](/leviticus/ "Leviticus - Laws of Purity and Sacrifice"). The high priest, a central figure in Israelite worship, served as the mediator between God and the people, entering the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement to make sacrifices for the sins of the nation and for himself (as seen in [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement")). This historical reality of a high priest who was himself fallible and required atonement for his own sins (cf. [Leviticus 9:7](/leviticus/9-7 "Leviticus 9:7 - Aaron's First Sacrifice")) forms the backdrop for the author's emphasis on the human high priest's "infirmity" in Hebrews 5:2. This shared human condition was not a disqualifier but a necessary component for empathetic mediation within the Old Covenant system.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes woven throughout the book of Hebrews. The theme of **Empathy and Compassion** is paramount, highlighting that effective spiritual leadership necessitates a deep understanding of human weakness and error, allowing for gentle guidance rather than harsh judgment. This directly relates to the broader theme of **Human Frailty**, emphasizing the universal susceptibility to sin and error that affects all humanity, including those in positions of spiritual authority. The author uses this shared vulnerability to underscore the need for a high priest who can truly sympathize. Finally, the verse profoundly shapes the theme of **The Nature of Priesthood**, particularly in its contrast between the Old Covenant Levitical priesthood and the New Covenant priesthood of Christ. While the human high priest's infirmity necessitated his own sacrifices, it simultaneously prepared the reader for the concept of a perfect, sinless High Priest who, though without sin, fully understands human temptation and weakness, as articulated later in passages like [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ's Sympathetic High Priesthood") and [Hebrews 7:26-28](/hebrews/7-26-28 "Hebrews 7:26-28 - Christ's Perfect Priesthood").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **compassion (Greek, _metriopathéō'_):** This word, unique to Hebrews in the New Testament, signifies a "measured feeling" or "moderate passion." It implies an ability to deal gently, patiently, and indulgently with others, not out of indifference, but out of a sympathetic understanding that avoids harshness or extreme emotion. It suggests a balanced and temperate response to human failings, rooted in shared experience.
* **ignorant (Greek, _agnoéō'_):** Derived from a negative particle and the verb "to know," this term refers to those who err due to a lack of knowledge, understanding, or information. It can also imply a willful ignorance or disinclination to know. In this context, it speaks to errors committed unwittingly, without full awareness of the transgression or its implications.
* **infirmity (Greek, _asthéneia'_):** This term denotes feebleness, weakness, or frailty, encompassing both physical and moral susceptibility. It refers to the inherent human condition of weakness, susceptibility to temptation, and the capacity for sin. For the high priest, it meant he was subject to the same human limitations and moral failings as those he served, necessitating his own sacrifices for sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who can have compassion on the ignorant":** This clause introduces the high priest's essential quality of empathy. The phrase "have compassion" (metriopathéō) suggests a gentle, understanding, and patient disposition towards those who err due to a lack of knowledge or understanding. It highlights the necessity for a spiritual leader to approach human failings with a measured and sympathetic attitude, rather than harsh judgment, recognizing that not all errors are willful defiance.
* **"and on them that are out of the way":** This expands the scope of the high priest's compassion to include those who have actively strayed or wandered from the correct path, whether through deception or deliberate choice. The term "out of the way" (planáō) implies a deviation from truth or righteousness. The high priest's role is to deal gently with both those who err unknowingly and those who have consciously gone astray, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of human sinfulness.
* **"for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity":** This crucial explanatory clause provides the theological basis for the high priest's capacity for compassion. His ability to deal gently with others stems directly from his own shared human weakness and susceptibility to sin ("infirmity," asthéneia). The phrase "compassed with" (períkeimai) vividly portrays being surrounded or enveloped by frailty, emphasizing that the high priest is not exempt from the human condition. This shared vulnerability enables genuine empathy and understanding, making him relatable and approachable to those he serves.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews employs several **literary devices** to convey the profound truth of the high priest's qualifications. **Juxtaposition** is evident in the pairing of "ignorant" and "out of the way," which together encapsulate the spectrum of human error, from unintentional mistakes to deliberate wandering. This comprehensive scope underscores the universal need for a compassionate mediator. **Metaphor** is powerfully used in "compassed with infirmity," painting a vivid picture of the high priest being surrounded or enveloped by weakness, emphasizing the pervasive nature of human frailty. This is not merely a statement of fact but a sensory image that evokes the shared human condition. Furthermore, the passage utilizes **causal reasoning** ("for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity") to establish a direct link between the high priest's personal experience of weakness and his capacity for genuine empathy, making his compassion understandable and credible to the audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 5:2 profoundly articulates the theological necessity of a high priest who is not only appointed by God but also deeply relatable to humanity. The high priest's shared "infirmity" is not a flaw in his appointment but a prerequisite for his empathetic ministry. This understanding of the high priest's role lays crucial groundwork for the subsequent revelation of Jesus Christ as the perfect High Priest. While the Old Covenant high priest's weakness necessitated sacrifices for himself, it also made him uniquely qualified to sympathize with the people's struggles. This verse thus highlights God's wisdom in providing a mediator who understands the human condition from the inside out, preparing the reader for the ultimate, sinless, yet fully empathetic High Priest, Jesus.

* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ's Sympathetic High Priesthood")
* [Hebrews 2:17-18](/hebrews/2-17-18 "Hebrews 2:17-18 - Christ's Identification with Humanity")
* [Leviticus 16:6](/leviticus/16-6 "Leviticus 16:6 - Aaron's Sacrifice for Himself")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 5:2 offers timeless wisdom for how we, as believers, should approach those who stumble or err. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of genuine compassion and understanding, recognizing that our own shared human frailty should lead us to empathy rather than judgment. Just as the high priest's personal experience of weakness enabled him to deal gently with his people, so too should our awareness of our own susceptibility to sin and error foster grace and patience towards others. This verse challenges us to move beyond superficial condemnation and instead seek to understand the underlying causes of another's struggles, whether they stem from ignorance, deception, or a genuine wandering from the path. It encourages us to be instruments of restoration and gentle guidance, reflecting the very heart of God's mercy towards a fallen humanity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the high priest's "infirmity" change your perspective on spiritual leadership and your own interactions with others?**
* **In what ways can recognizing your own weaknesses help you to extend greater compassion to those who are "ignorant" or "out of the way"?**
* **How might a "measured feeling" (metriopathéō) differ from mere pity or harsh judgment in practical application within your relationships or ministry?**

### FAQ
**Why was it necessary for the high priest to be "compassed with infirmity"?**

Answer: It was necessary for the Old Covenant high priest to be "compassed with infirmity" (meaning, surrounded by or subject to human weakness and sin) for several crucial reasons. Firstly, it enabled him to genuinely sympathize with the people he served. His own experience of sin and frailty allowed him to approach their failings with empathy and understanding, rather than detached judgment. Secondly, it underscored the need for him to offer sacrifices not only for the people's sins but also for his own, as seen in passages like [Leviticus 9:7](/leviticus/9-7 "Leviticus 9:7 - Aaron's Sin Offering"). This highlighted the imperfection of the Levitical priesthood and pointed forward to the necessity of a perfect, sinless High Priest, Jesus Christ, who would not need to offer sacrifices for Himself. Thus, his infirmity made him relatable and served as a shadow pointing to Christ's ultimate perfection.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 5:2, while describing the qualifications of the Levitical high priest, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The human high priest's compassion stemmed from his shared "infirmity," necessitating his own sacrifices. However, Jesus, our great High Priest, perfectly embodies compassion not *because* He was sinful, but *despite* being sinless. His empathy is not born of personal sin, but of His full identification with humanity through His incarnation. As [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ's Sympathetic High Priesthood") powerfully states, He "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." He truly understands human weakness, temptation, and the plight of the "ignorant" and "out of the way" because He experienced the full spectrum of human suffering and temptation, yet perfectly resisted sin. This makes His priesthood superior and His sacrifice uniquely effective, for He offered Himself once for all, not needing to atone for His own failings, but perfectly atoning for ours (cf. [Hebrews 7:26-28](/hebrews/7-26-28 "Hebrews 7:26-28 - Christ's Perfect Priesthood")). Thus, the human high priest's infirmity serves as a poignant shadow, highlighting the profound and perfect empathy of Christ, who, though holy and undefiled, fully entered into our human condition to redeem us.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 4:15

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.

Hebrews 2:18

For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

2 Corinthians 12:9

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:10

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Hebrews 7:28

For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

Hebrews 12:13

And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Galatians 4:13

Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.