• Hebrews 5:2
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 2 μετριοπαθεῖν to feel measuredly δυνάμενος being able τοῖς to the (ones) ἀγνοοῦσι being ignorant καὶ and πλανωμένοις being made to err ἐπεὶ since καὶ also αὐτὸς he περίκειται is being surrounded ἀσθένειαν, weakness,

  • Hebrews Study Notes—Chapter 5
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 5:2

      He is able to deal compassionately with the ignorant and erring ones: A high priest under the Mosaic Law had to offer sacrifices for his own sins. (Heb 5:3) Doing so reminded him that he was imperfect and subject to human weakness. Sensitive to his own sinful condition, he would likely “deal compassionately [or, “gently; moderately”]” with the people in whose behalf he offered sacrifices. The sinners would confess their sins, and in some cases, they would need to make compensation to those whom they had wronged. (Ex 22:1; Le 6:4, 5; Nu 5:7) Such sinners are called “ignorant and erring [or, “wayward”] ones” because they sinned, not out of defiance, but out of human weakness.​—Compare Le 5:17-19; Nu 15:27, 28.

      is confronted with his own weakness: Or “is subject to his own weakness.” The Greek verb here rendered “is confronted with” literally means “is being surrounded.” (See also Heb 12:1, where the same Greek word occurs.) It is also used at Ac 28:20, where Paul is quoted as saying, “I have this chain around me.” An imperfect human high priest was sinful, so he was “confronted with his own weakness” all the time. His weakness surrounded him, as it were; it was like clothing around him. (Compare Zec 3:3, 4.) That is why he had to “make offerings for his own sins.” (Heb 5:3; Le 9:7; 16:6, 11) No such high priest could ever compare with Christ Jesus, the heavenly High Priest, who is sinless.​—Heb 7:26-28.