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*Scripture verses covered in this section's commentary are noted in italics

Hebrews 5:5-6 meaning

Verses covered in this passage:

  • Hebrews 5:5
  • Hebrews 5:6

The Pauline Author points out that Jesus was called by God to be a priest, therefore, His priesthood is legitimate.

The previous verse pointed out that priests must be called by God in order to have a legitimate claim to priestly duties. The Pauline Author quotes from Psalm 2:7 and Psalm 110 to show that Christ did not glorify Himself by making himself high priest, but that He was called by God to be a priest. God, who called Jesus My Son and made Him an heir who will one-day rule over all, also appointed Him as high priest. Jesus is a priest forever as we see here, His priestly appointment will never end.

The title “Son” and the role of priest were bestowed upon Jesus after He finished serving His father faithfully and obediently to His death. Just as being human was a prerequisite to being appointed High Priest among men, although Jesus was already the Son of God from the beginning, He received the reward of the title “Son” for His faithfulness as a human. The phrase according to the order of Melchizedek will be explained in detail in chapter 7 of Hebrews. So Christ meets one qualification for priesthood since he did not appoint Himself but was appointed by God.

Biblical Text

5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him,
“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You”;
6 just as He says also in another passage,
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”




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