Hebrews 5:2

Hebrews 5:2 in other versions

• King James Version (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.
• New International Version (NIV)He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.
• English Standard Version (ESV)He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.
• New King James Version (NKJV)He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness.

Context of Hebrews 5:2

1For every high priest is taken from among the people and appointed to represent them before God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal compassionately with those who are ignorant and erring, since he also is subject to weakness, 3and for this reason he is obligated to make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. 4And no one assumes this honor on his own initiative, but only when called to it by God, as in fact Aaron was.

Hebrews 5:2 word by word

μετριοπαθεῖν δυνάμενος τοῖς ἀγνοοῦσιν καὶ πλανωμένοις, ἐπεὶ καὶ αὐτὸς περίκειται ἀσθένειαν·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Who canδύναμαιdunamai · be ableG1410
• have compassion onμετριοπαθέωmetriopatheō · be gentleG3356
• the ignorantἀγνοέωagnoeō · be ignorantG50
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• them that are out of the wayπλανάωplanaō · to lead astrayG4105
• for thatἐπείepei · sinceG1893
• heπερίκειμαιperikeimai · to surroundG4029
• himselfαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• infirmityἀσθένειαastheneia · weakness: weakG769
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588

Cross-references for Hebrews 5:2

• Hebrews 2:18For since he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
• Hebrews 4:15For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.
• Numbers 15:22“‘If you sin unintentionally and do not observe all these commandments that the Lord has spoken to Moses –
• 1 Timothy 1:13even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I was treated with mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief,
• Hebrews 12:13and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but be healed.
• Exodus 32:8They have quickly turned aside from the way that I commanded them – they have made for themselves a molten calf and have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt.’”
• Judges 2:17But they did not obey their leaders. Instead they prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They quickly turned aside from the path their ancestors had walked. Their ancestors had obeyed the Lord’s commands, but they did not.
• Isaiah 30:11Turn aside from the way, stray off the path. Remove from our presence the Holy One of Israel.”
• Hebrews 7:28For the law appoints as high priests men subject to weakness, but the word of solemn affirmation that came after the law appoints a son made perfect forever.
• Exodus 32:2So Aaron said to them, “Break off the gold earrings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.”
• Numbers 12:1Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married (for he had married an Ethiopian woman).
• Numbers 20:10Then Moses and Aaron gathered the community together in front of the rock, and he said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring water out of this rock for you?”
• Luke 22:32but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
• 2 Corinthians 11:30If I must boast, I will boast about the things that show my weakness.
• 2 Corinthians 12:5On behalf of such an individual I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except about my weaknesses.
• Galatians 4:13But you know it was because of a physical illness that I first proclaimed the gospel to you,

Commentaries on Hebrews 5:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Who can have compassion on the ignorant - The word , signifies, not merely to have compassion, but to act with moderation, and to bear with each in proportion to his ignorance, weakness, and untoward circumstances, all taken into consideration with the offenses he has committed: in a word, to pity, feel for, and excuse, as far as possible; and, when the provocation is at the highest, to moderate one's passion towards the culprit, and be ready to pardon…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Who can have compassion - Margin, “Reasonably bear with.” The idea is that of “sympathizing with.” The high priest is taken from among men, in order that he may have a fellow-feeling for those on whose behalf he officiates. Sensible of his own ignorance, he is able to sympathize with those who are ignorant; and compassed about with infirmity, he is able to succour those who have like infirmities. And on them that are out of the way - The erring, and the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2A high priest could be kind to those who sin because he also had weaknesses, meaning he was sinful (Hebrews 5:3; compare 4:15).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. Who can--Greek, "being able"; not pleasing himself (Ro 15:3). have compassion--Greek, "estimate mildly," "feel leniently," or "moderately towards"; "to make allowance for"; not showing stern rigor save to the obstinate (He 10:28). ignorant--sins not committed in resistance of light and knowledge, but as Paul's past sin (1Ti 1:13). No sacrifice was appointed for wilful sin committed with a high hand; for such were to be punished with death; all other…Read the comment

Topics related to Hebrews 5:2

• Kindness
• Love
• Minister, Christian

In the dictionaries

• Belong
• Meat
• Priest
• Strong
• Christ, Offices of
• Compass; Compasses
• Compassion
• Congregation
• Err; Error
• Gershom

Commentaries on Hebrews 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings