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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses.

Context of Hebrews 5:2

1Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as 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 2:18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
• Hebrews 4:15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
• Numbers 15:22“ ‘Now if you as a community unintentionally fail to keep any of these commands the Lord gave Moses—
• 1 Timothy 1:13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.
• Hebrews 12:13“Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
• Exodus 32:8They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’
• Judges 2:17Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They quickly turned from the ways of their ancestors, who had been obedient to the Lord’s commands.
• Isaiah 30:11Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!”
• Hebrews 7:28For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
• Exodus 32:2Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.”
• Numbers 12:1Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite.
• Numbers 20:10He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?”
• Luke 22:32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
• 2 Corinthians 11:30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
• 2 Corinthians 12:5I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.
• Galatians 4:13As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached 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