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

1Every high priest is a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers sacrifices for their sins. And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses. 3That is why he must offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as theirs. 4And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, 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 2:18Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.
• Hebrews 4:15This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
• Numbers 15:22“But suppose you unintentionally fail to carry out all these commands that the Lord has given you through Moses.
• 1 Timothy 1:13even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief.
• Hebrews 12:13Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
• Exodus 32:8How quickly they have turned away from the way I commanded them to live! They have melted down gold and made a calf, and they have bowed down and sacrificed to it. They are saying, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.’”
• Judges 2:17Yet Israel did not listen to the judges but prostituted themselves by worshiping other gods. How quickly they turned away from the path of their ancestors, who had walked in obedience to the Lord’s commands.
• Isaiah 30:11Forget all this gloom. Get off your narrow path. Stop telling us about your ‘Holy One of Israel.’”
• Hebrews 7:28The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever.
• Exodus 32:2So Aaron said, “Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.”
• Numbers 12:1While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a Cushite woman.
• Numbers 20:10Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?”
• Luke 22:32But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
• 2 Corinthians 11:30If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.
• 2 Corinthians 12:5That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses.
• Galatians 4:13Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News.

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