Hebrews 5:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

NIV: and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

NASB: being designated by God as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

CSB: and he was declared by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

NLT: And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

KJV: Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

NKJV: called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,”

This verse highlights two important aspects of Jesus' ministry. First, as with any true priest, Jesus was appointed to His role by God. No person can simply declare, "I am a priest," since that task means being a mediator between the people and their deity. Prior Scriptures showed how Christ was placed in His role specifically by God.

The second aspect is the way Jesus' High Priesthood is superior to that of Aaron's. The writer of Hebrews uses the example of Melchizedek to make this point. In all of Israel's history, the roles of king and high priest had been separate. However, as the Old Testament predicted, there was a day when these titles would be merged into one person (Zechariah 6:12–13). In Genesis, Melchizedek is described as both a high priest and as a king (Genesis 14:18). Jesus, as the predicted Messiah, is a high priest as Melchizedek was—one imbued also with kingly authority.

The author of Hebrews knows this is an important point to make and that it needs to be developed further. However, the Jewish Christians he is writing to are in need of yet another warning. The first came in Hebrews 2:1–4, reminding them to be more diligent in their faith. The second came in Chapters 3 and 4, as a warning against disobedience and faithlessness. The upcoming passage, beginning in verse 11, will be an alert against spiritual immaturity.

Hebrews 5:1–10 explains how Jesus fits the requirements of a high priest. Earlier verses showed that the Messiah promised by the Old Testament would be entirely human (Hebrews 2:17). That humanity allows Christ to sympathize with our temptations and weaknesses. Here, the writer of Hebrews points out that this also makes Jesus qualified to be our ultimate High Priest. Because of His humanity, His prayers, His sacrifice for sin, and His appointment by God, Jesus' status is far superior to any other figure.

Hebrews chapter 5 completes the previous commentary about Jesus' humanity. His human existence qualifies Him to understand other men and to offer sacrifice to God on our behalf. Jesus also fulfills the roles of both high priest and king, which the author demonstrates by returning to the Old Testament. The figure of Melchizedek is used to illustrate this point: that Christ, unlike any before, was able to be both the kingly Son of David and the High Priest for all people. The deeper meaning of this example, however, may well be lost on the letter's audience, since they are languishing in spiritual immaturity.

The book of Hebrews shows how Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God's purpose for mankind. For the sake of Jewish Christians, in particular, the author explains that Christ is superior to all other figures, and His covenant is superior to all other relationships. Chapter 5 continues the point made in chapter 4, that Christ's humanity makes Him a uniquely qualified High Priest. This passage bridges that idea into the writer's next warning: spiritual immaturity. This call to avoid apathy will run through all of chapter 6, before the writer returns to Jesus' priesthood in chapter 7.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.