And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
And {G2532} by reason {G1223} hereof {G5026} he ought {G3784}, as {G2531} for {G4012} the people {G2992}, so {G3779} also {G2532} for {G4012} himself {G1438}, to offer {G4374} for {G5228} sins {G266}.
Also, because of this weakness, he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as those of the people.
That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.
and by reason thereof is bound, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
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Leviticus 9:7
And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded. -
Hebrews 9:7
But into the second [went] the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and [for] the errors of the people: -
Leviticus 16:6
And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which [is] for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house. -
Hebrews 7:27
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. -
Leviticus 16:15
¶ Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that [is] for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat: -
Exodus 29:12
And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar. -
Exodus 29:19
And thou shalt take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram.
Hebrews 5:3 continues the discourse on the qualifications and responsibilities of the high priest under the Old Covenant. This verse highlights a crucial distinction of that priesthood: the high priest himself was a sinful human being, requiring atonement not only for the people but also for his own transgressions.
Context
This verse flows directly from Hebrews 5:1-2, which establishes that a high priest is "taken from among men" and appointed to offer "gifts and sacrifices for sins." The author of Hebrews emphasizes that such a priest, being subject to human weaknesses and ignorance, could "have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way." Verse 3 underscores this vulnerability, revealing that the high priest was not exempt from the need for forgiveness, thereby setting the stage for the profound contrast with the perfect priesthood of Jesus Christ, which is the central theme of the book of Hebrews.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "to offer for sins" translates the Greek prospherein peri hamartiōn (προσφέρειν περὶ ἁμαρτιῶν). Prospherein means "to bring to, to offer," specifically in a sacrificial context. Hamartiōn, the genitive plural of hamartia, refers to "sins" or "missing the mark." This emphasizes the ritualistic bringing of a sacrifice to cover the multitude of human transgressions, including those of the high priest himself.
Practical Application
Hebrews 5:3 offers a profound insight into the nature of sin and the necessity of a perfect mediator. It reminds us that no human being, no matter how devout or divinely appointed, can be perfectly righteous before God. This verse magnifies the grace of God in providing Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, who was "without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). Because He did not need to offer for His own sins, His single sacrifice for humanity is eternally sufficient. This understanding should lead us to greater appreciation for the finished work of Christ and confidence in His perfect atonement for our sins.