Hebrews 5:3

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.

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

  • The Flawed Nature of the Old Covenant Priesthood: Unlike the sinless Christ, the Levitical high priest was himself a sinner. This necessitated a continuous cycle of sacrifices, including one for his own sins, before he could intercede for the people. This inherent imperfection underscored the temporary and preparatory nature of the Old Covenant system.
  • The Universal Need for Atonement: The verse vividly portrays that sin is a universal human condition, affecting even those divinely appointed to mediate between God and man. The high priest's personal need for atonement powerfully demonstrates that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God," as stated in Romans 3:23.
  • Preparation for Christ's Superiority: By highlighting the limitations of the earthly high priest, the author meticulously prepares the reader to grasp the profound superiority of Jesus Christ. His perfect, once-for-all sacrifice eliminates the need for repeated offerings, distinguishing Him as a High Priest "who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's," as later detailed in Hebrews 7:27.

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.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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