Hebrews 5:5

KJV

So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

So {G3779} also {G2532} Christ {G5547} glorified {G1392} not {G3756} himself {G1438} to be made {G1096} an high priest {G749}; but {G235} he that said {G2980} unto {G4314} him {G846}, Thou {G4771} art {G1488} my {G3450} Son {G5207}, to day {G4594} have {G1080} I {G1473} begotten {G1080} thee {G4571}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So neither did the Messiah glorify himself to become cohen gadol; rather, it was the One who said to him,

“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.”

Berean Standard Bible

So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.”

American Standard Version

So Christ also glorified not himself to be made a high priest, but he that spake unto him, Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 5:5 powerfully asserts that Jesus Christ did not assume the esteemed office of High Priest through His own will or ambition. Instead, His appointment was a direct, divine commission from God the Father, who publicly declared His unique Sonship, quoting the foundational messianic prophecy from Psalm 2:7: "Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee." This verse thus establishes the divine authority and legitimacy of Christ's high priestly ministry, emphasizing both His profound humility and the Father's sovereign initiative in His redemptive work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hebrews 5:5 is an integral part of the author's extended argument for the superiority of Christ's priesthood over the Levitical system, which begins in earnest in [Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"). Prior to this verse, the author has established the necessary qualifications for a high priest: he must be chosen from among men, deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, and offer sacrifices for sins, including his own ([Hebrews 5:1-3](/hebrews/5-1-3 "Hebrews 5:1-3 - Qualifications of a High Priest")). Crucially, a high priest must also be "called by God, just as Aaron was" ([Hebrews 5:4](/hebrews/5-4 "Hebrews 5:4 - The Divine Call to Priesthood")). Verse 5 then immediately applies this divine calling principle to Christ, demonstrating that His high priestly office was not self-appointed but divinely ordained. This sets the stage for the introduction of the [Melchizedekian priesthood](/hebrews/5-6 "Hebrews 5:6 - Christ's Priesthood After the Order of Melchizedek") in the subsequent verse, a theme that will be extensively developed throughout the book, particularly in [Hebrews 7](/hebrews/7 "Hebrews 7 - The Priesthood of Melchizedek").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The audience of the book of Hebrews was primarily Jewish Christians, likely facing persecution and temptation to revert to Judaism. For them, the Levitical priesthood and the sacrificial system were deeply ingrained cultural and religious institutions, representing the very core of their covenant relationship with God. The concept of a "high priest" was central to their understanding of atonement and access to God. The author's argument, therefore, needed to meticulously demonstrate how Jesus fulfilled and surpassed these familiar institutions. By quoting [Psalm 2:7](/psalm/2-7 "Psalm 2:7 - A Messianic Prophecy"), a well-known messianic psalm, the author appeals to their shared scriptural heritage, showing that Christ's unique status as Son of God was prophesied and intrinsically linked to His priestly role, thereby validating His authority within their own theological framework. The emphasis on divine appointment would have resonated with their understanding of legitimate religious authority, contrasting sharply with any self-proclaimed leadership.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes in Hebrews. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Appointment of Christ**, asserting that His high priestly role is not a human initiative but a sovereign act of God. This divine commissioning guarantees the legitimacy and efficacy of Christ's mediatorial work. Secondly, it highlights **Christ's Unique Sonship** as the foundation for His priesthood; the Father's declaration "Thou art my Son" is not merely an affirmation of identity but a divine warrant for His office. This theme is foundational to the entire book, as seen in the opening chapters which establish Christ's superiority as God's Son ([Hebrews 1:1-4](/hebrews/1-1-4 "Hebrews 1:1-4 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). Thirdly, it subtly reinforces the **Humility and Obedience of Christ**. Unlike human priests who might seek honor, Jesus, though supremely worthy, did not glorify Himself but humbly received His appointment from the Father, aligning with the broader portrayal of His obedient life and suffering that qualified Him to be a merciful and faithful high priest ([Hebrews 2:17-18](/hebrews/2-17-18 "Hebrews 2:17-18 - Jesus, Our Merciful and Faithful High Priest")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **glorified (Greek, _doxázō_):** From the Greek word for "glory" (doxa), _doxázō_ means "to render or esteem glorious," or "to magnify." In this context, it emphasizes that Christ did not bestow honor upon Himself or elevate Himself to the position of high priest. The active voice with "not himself" underscores that the initiative for His priestly office did not originate from His own will or ambition, but from an external, higher source.
* **high priest (Greek, _archiereús_):** Derived from "chief" (archē) and "priest" (hiereús), _archiereús_ refers to the chief priest, the highest religious office in Israel, responsible for leading the nation's worship and, most significantly, for entering the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement to make sacrifice for the sins of the people. Here, it is applied to Christ, signifying His supreme and ultimate priestly function that transcends the Levitical system.
* **begotten (Greek, _gennáō_):** This verb means "to procreate," "to beget," or "to bring forth." While Christ is eternally begotten of the Father in His divine nature, the "to day have I begotten thee" in [Psalm 2:7](/psalm/2-7 "Psalm 2:7 - The King's Anointing") (quoted here) is often understood in the New Testament to refer to a specific redemptive-historical event where Christ's Sonship was publicly declared or vindicated, such as His resurrection ([Acts 13:33](/acts/13-33 "Acts 13:33 - Psalm 2:7 Applied to Christ's Resurrection")) or His installation as King-Priest. It signifies His official inauguration into His messianic and priestly roles.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest;"**: This initial clause draws a direct parallel ("So also") with the preceding verses that established the divine calling for a high priest (e.g., [Hebrews 5:4](/hebrews/5-4 "Hebrews 5:4 - The Divine Call to Priesthood")). It emphatically states that Jesus Christ did not take the honor or office of high priest upon Himself. This highlights His profound humility and distinguishes His appointment from any human ambition or self-promotion, underscoring that His authority is derived solely from God.
* **"but he that said unto him,"**: This transitional phrase introduces the divine speaker and the source of Christ's priestly authority. The "he that said unto him" refers unequivocally to God the Father. This emphasizes the Father's active and decisive role in commissioning His Son for this crucial mediatorial role, establishing the divine origin of Christ's priesthood.
* **"Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee."**: This is a direct quotation from [Psalm 2:7](/psalm/2-7 "Psalm 2:7 - A Messianic Prophecy"), a key messianic psalm. The declaration "Thou art my Son" affirms Jesus' unique and eternal relationship with the Father. The phrase "to day have I begotten thee" is not about Christ's eternal generation (His divine nature as Son from eternity), but rather a public declaration or inauguration of His Sonship in a specific redemptive context. In the New Testament, this "today" is often linked to His resurrection ([Acts 13:33](/acts/13-33 "Acts 13:33 - Psalm 2:7 Applied to Christ's Resurrection")), His ascension, or His anointing as the Messiah-King, signifying His installation into His full messianic and priestly office. It serves as the divine warrant for His high priestly ministry.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews employs several powerful literary devices in this verse. Firstly, **Quotation** is central, as the verse directly cites [Psalm 2:7](/psalm/2-7 "Psalm 2:7 - The King's Anointing"). This serves to ground Christ's high priestly office in Old Testament prophecy, appealing to the Jewish audience's understanding of messianic fulfillment. Secondly, there is a clear **Contrast** established between Christ's humility ("glorified not himself") and the divine initiative ("but he that said unto him"). This contrast highlights the unique nature of Christ's appointment, setting Him apart from any human priest who might aspire to the office. Thirdly, the use of **Allusion** to the broader context of Psalm 2 implicitly connects Christ's priesthood with His kingship, suggesting a unified messianic role. Finally, the phrase "to day have I begotten thee" functions as a powerful **Declaration**, emphasizing the authoritative and decisive nature of God's act in establishing Christ's Sonship and, by extension, His priestly ministry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 5:5 is a cornerstone for understanding the divine origin and authority of Christ's high priestly ministry. It unequivocally states that Jesus' role as High Priest was not self-appointed but divinely ordained by God the Father Himself. This divine commissioning is crucial because it ensures the legitimacy, efficacy, and perfection of Christ's mediatorial work on behalf of humanity. His Sonship, affirmed by the Father, is the very basis of His unique qualification to represent humanity before God and God to humanity. This verse ties Christ's priesthood directly to His identity as the Son of God, establishing a foundation of divine authority and perfect representation that far surpasses any earthly priesthood.

* [Psalm 2:7](/psalm/2-7 "Psalm 2:7 - The Declaration of the King's Sonship")
* [Hebrews 1:5](/hebrews/1-5 "Hebrews 1:5 - God's Son, Superior to Angels")
* [Acts 13:33](/acts/13-33 "Acts 13:33 - Paul's Sermon in Antioch, Applying Psalm 2:7 to Christ's Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Understanding that Christ's high priesthood is a direct, divine appointment, rather than a self-proclaimed honor, offers immense comfort and assurance to believers. It means that our access to God, our forgiveness, and our ongoing intercession are not dependent on human fallibility or ambition, but on the perfect, sovereign will of God. We can approach God's throne of grace with absolute confidence, knowing that our High Priest was perfectly qualified and commissioned by the Father Himself. This truth should inspire profound gratitude for God's initiative in providing such a mediator. Furthermore, it serves as a powerful model for Christian service: true honor and lasting effectiveness in ministry do not come from self-promotion or seeking recognition, but from humbly receiving and faithfully fulfilling the calling and empowerment that come directly from God. Our focus should be on God's glory and His purposes, trusting that He will exalt in due time those who humble themselves under His mighty hand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the divine appointment of Christ as High Priest deepen your trust in His ability to intercede for you?**
* **In what ways does Christ's humility in not glorifying Himself challenge your own desires for recognition or self-advancement in service?**
* **How does the Father's declaration, "Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee," reinforce the unique and perfect nature of Jesus' identity and mission?**

### FAQ
**Why is it important that Christ "glorified not himself" to be made a high priest?**

Answer: It is critically important because it underscores the divine origin and legitimacy of Christ's high priestly office. Unlike human priests who were appointed by men or could potentially seek the office for personal gain, Jesus' appointment came directly from God the Father. This ensures that His priesthood is not based on human merit, ambition, or fallibility, but on God's perfect plan and sovereign will. This divine commissioning guarantees the absolute trustworthiness and efficacy of His work as our mediator, making His sacrifice and intercession perfectly acceptable to God. It also highlights Christ's profound humility and obedience, aligning with His overall character of self-emptying love as described in [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 5:5 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in establishing Jesus as the divinely appointed, perfect High Priest who eternally mediates between God and humanity. The declaration, "Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee," from [Psalm 2:7](/psalm/2-7 "Psalm 2:7 - The Anointed King"), is not merely a statement of identity but a divine inauguration of Christ into His messianic and priestly office, most fully realized in His resurrection and ascension ([Acts 13:33](/acts/13-33 "Acts 13:33 - Psalm 2:7 Applied to Christ's Resurrection")). Unlike the Levitical high priests who were chosen from among men and offered sacrifices repeatedly for their own sins and the sins of the people ([Hebrews 5:1-3](/hebrews/5-1-3 "Hebrews 5:1-3 - Qualifications of a High Priest")), Christ, as the Son of God, needed no purification for Himself and offered a single, perfect, and eternal sacrifice—His own life—for the sins of the world ([Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). His divine appointment ensures His perfect empathy and ability to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, because He always lives to make intercession for them ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")). Thus, the verse points to Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of the high priestly office, perfectly qualified by His divine Sonship and divinely commissioned by the Father to bring about eternal salvation.

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

Psalms 2:7

¶ I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou [art] my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

John 8:54

Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:

John 7:18

He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

Hebrews 1:5

For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

Acts 13:33

God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

Romans 8:3

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Hebrews 1:1

¶ God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,