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Contemporary English Version

Hebrews 5:2

A high priest has weaknesses of his own, and he feels sorry for foolish and sinful people.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Kindness;   Love;   Minister, Christian;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Compassion and Sympathy;   Compassion and Sympathy of Christ, the;   High Priest, the;   Ignorance of God;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Priest;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Ignorant, Ignorance;   Weakness;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Aaron;   Burnt Offering;   High Priest;   Melchizedek;   Priest;   Sacrifice;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Chronicles, Books of;   Compassion;   Hebrews;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Hebrews, Epistle to;   Ignorance;   Number;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Day of Atonement ;   Dependence;   Discipline (2);   Expediency;   Guilt (2);   Hebrews Epistle to the;   Pity Compassion;   Priest;   Priest (2);   Psalms (2);   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Aaronic Priesthood;   High Priest;   47 To Have Compassion, Sympathy, Forbearance;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Christ, Offices of;   Compass;   Compassion;   Err;   Ezra;   Hebrews, Epistle to the;   Ignorance;   Infirmity;   Priest, High;   Priesthood in the New Testament;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for August 20;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he is also clothed with weakness.
King James Version (1611)
Who can haue compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way, for that he himselfe also is compassed with infirmitie.
King James Version
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
He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.
New American Standard Bible
he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is clothed in weakness;
New Century Version
Since he himself is weak, he is able to be gentle with those who do not understand and who are doing wrong things.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness;
Legacy Standard Bible
being able to deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness;
Berean Standard Bible
He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is beset by weakness.
Complete Jewish Bible
He can deal gently with the ignorant and with those who go astray, since he too is subject to weakness.
Darby Translation
being able to exercise forbearance towards the ignorant and erring, since he himself also is clothed with infirmity;
Easy-to-Read Version
The high priest has his own weaknesses. So he is able to be gentle with those who do wrong out of ignorance.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Which is able sufficiently to haue compassion on them that are ignorant, and that are out of the way, because that hee also is compassed with infirmitie,
George Lamsa Translation
He is one who can humble himself and have compassion on those who are ignorant and go astray: for he himself also is subject to weaknesses.
Good News Translation
Since he himself is weak in many ways, he is able to be gentle with those who are ignorant and make mistakes.
Lexham English Bible
being able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and led astray, since he himself also is surrounded by weakness,
Literal Translation
being able to feel in due measure for those not knowing and being led astray, since he also is circled about with weakness.
Amplified Bible
He is able to deal gently with the spiritually ignorant and misguided, since he is also subject to human weakness;
American Standard Version
who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity;
Bible in Basic English
He is able to have feeling for those who have no knowledge and for those who are wandering from the true way, because he himself is feeble;
Hebrew Names Version
The Kohen Gadol can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness.
International Standard Version
He can deal gently with people who are ignorant and easily deceived, since he himself is subject to weakness.Hebrews 2:18; 4:15; 7:28;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
and (is one) who can humble himself, and suffer with those who know not and err, since he also himself with infirmity is clothed.
Murdock Translation
and he can humble himself, and sympathize with the ignorant and the erring, because he also is clothed with infirmity.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Which can sufficiently haue compassion on the ignoraunt, & on them that erre out of the waye, forasmuche as he hym selfe also is compassed with infirmitie.
English Revised Version
who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity;
World English Bible
The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Who can have compassion on the ignorant and the wandering, seeing he himself also is compassed with infirmity,
Weymouth's New Testament
and must be one who is able to bear patiently with the ignorant and erring, because he himself also is beset with infirmity.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Which may togidere sorewe with hem, that beth vnkunnynge and erren; for also he is enuyrounned with infirmytee.
Update Bible Version
who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity;
Webster's Bible Translation
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 English Translation
He is able to deal compassionately with those who are ignorant and erring, since he also is subject to weakness,
New King James Version
He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness.
New Living Translation
And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses.
New Life Bible
A Jewish religious leader is weak in many ways because he is just a man himself. He knows how to be gentle with those who know little. He knows how to help those who are doing wrong.
New Revised Standard
He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness;
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Able, to have a measure of feeling, for the ignorant and erring, - since, he also, is compassed with weakness;
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who can have compassion on them that are ignorant and that err: because he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
Revised Standard Version
He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
which can have compassion on the ignoraunt and on them that are out of the waye because that he him silfe also is compased with infirmitie:
Young's Literal Translation
able to be gentle to those ignorant and going astray, since himself also is compassed with infirmity;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
which can haue copassion on the ignoraunt, and on them that are out of the waye, for so moch as he himselfe also is compased aboute with infirmyte.
Mace New Testament (1729)
he might have the greater compassion for those who sin through ignorance or mistake. and for the same reason
Simplified Cowboy Version
But a trail guide needs to be understanding of the hardships of the trail because he followed the same one.

Contextual Overview

1 Every high priest is appointed to help others by offering gifts and sacrifices to God because of their sins. 2 A high priest has weaknesses of his own, and he feels sorry for foolish and sinful people. 3 That is why he must offer sacrifices for his own sins and for the sins of others. 4 But no one can have the honor of being a high priest simply by wanting to be one. Only God can choose a priest, and God is the one who chose Aaron. 5 That is how it was with Christ. He became a high priest, but not just because he wanted the honor of being one. It was God who told him, "You are my Son, because today I have become your Father!" 6 In another place, God says, "You are a priest forever just like Melchizedek." 7 God had the power to save Jesus from death. And while Jesus was on earth, he begged God with loud crying and tears to save him. He truly worshiped God, and God listened to his prayers. 8 Jesus is God's own Son, but still he had to suffer before he could learn what it really means to obey God. 9 Suffering made Jesus perfect, and now he can save forever all who obey him.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Who: Hebrews 2:18, Hebrews 4:15

have compassion on: or, reasonably bear with

ignorant: Numbers 15:22-29, 1 Timothy 1:13

them: Hebrews 12:13, Exodus 32:8, Judges 2:17, Isaiah 30:11

is compassed: Hebrews 7:28, Exodus 32:2-5, Exodus 32:21-24, Numbers 12:1-9, Numbers 20:10-12, Luke 22:32, 2 Corinthians 11:30, 2 Corinthians 12:5, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Corinthians 12:10, Galatians 4:13

Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:2 - through Leviticus 16:6 - for himself Ezekiel 45:20 - every one Matthew 9:11 - Why Matthew 9:36 - when Matthew 14:14 - and was Mark 8:2 - compassion Acts 18:14 - bear Romans 8:26 - infirmities 2 Corinthians 11:1 - bear with me a 1 Thessalonians 5:14 - be Hebrews 2:17 - a merciful

Cross-References

Genesis 1:27
So God created humans to be like himself; he made men and women.
Genesis 2:15
The Lord God put the man in the Garden of Eden to take care of it and to look after it.
Genesis 2:23
and the man exclaimed, "Here is someone like me! She is part of my body, my own flesh and bones. She came from me, a man. So I will name her Woman!"
Malachi 2:15
Didn't God create you to become like one person with your wife? And why did he do this? It was so you would have children, and then lead them to become God's people. Don't ever be unfaithful to your wife.
Matthew 19:4
Jesus answered, "Don't you know that in the beginning the Creator made a man and a woman?
Mark 10:6
But in the beginning God made a man and a woman.
Acts 17:26
From one person God made all nations who live on earth, and he decided when and where every nation would be.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Who can have compassion on the ignorant,.... Who have committed sins of ignorance, and bring their sacrifices for them; these he does not insult and upbraid, nor break out into anger and indignation against; but pities them, and sympathizes with them; has a just measure of compassion suitable to their condition, and bears with them with great moderation and temper:

and on them that are out of the way; of God's commandments; who are like sheep going astray, and turn to their own way; who transgress the law of God, and err from it; perhaps such who sin knowingly and wilfully, and through infirmity, are meant:

for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity; not of body only, but of mind, sinful infirmity; he had much of it, it beset him all around; he was "clothed" with it, as the Syriac version renders it; as Joshua the high priest was with filthy garments, Zechariah 3:3.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Who 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 guilty. If he were taken from an order of beings superior to people, be would be less qualified to sympathize with those who felt that they were sinners, and who needed pardon.

For that he himself also is compassed with infirmity - see chap. Hebrews 7:28. He is liable to err; He is subject to temptation; he must die, and appear before God - and encompassed with these infirmities, he is better qualified to minister in behalf of guilty and dying people. For the same reason it is, that the ministers of the gospel are chosen from among people. They are of like passions with others. They are sinners; they are dying men. They can enter into the feelings of those who are conscious of guilt; they can sympathize with those who tremble in dread of death; they can partake of the emotions of those who expect soon to appear before God.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Hebrews 5:2. Who can have compassion on the ignorant — The word μετριοπαθειν, 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 offences 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; and when punishment must be administered, to do it in the gentlest manner.

Instead of αγνοουσι, the ignorant, one MS. only, but that of high repute, has ασθενουσι, the weak. Most men sin much through ignorance, but this does not excuse them if they have within reach the means of instruction. And the great majority of the human race sin through weakness. The principle of evil is strong in them; the occasions of sin are many; through their fall from God they are become exceedingly weak; and what the apostle calls, Hebrews 12:1, that ευπεριστατον αμαρτιαν, the well-circumstanced sin, often occurs to every man. But, as in the above ease, weakness itself is no excuse, when the means of strength and succour are always at hand. However, all these are circumstances which the Jewish high priest took into consideration, and they are certainly not less attended to by the High Priest of our profession.

The reason given why the high priest should be slow to punish and prone to forgive is, that he himself is also compassed with weakness; περικειται ασθενειαν; weakness lies all around him, it is his clothing; and as he feels his clothing, so should he feel it; and as he feels it, so he should deplore it, and compassionate others.


 
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