Hebrews

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Hebrews 5

King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context

About this chapter

AI-assisted, sourced

Every high priest is taken from among men to "offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins," and "no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." So Christ did not glorify himself but was named "a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec," and "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered," becoming "the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." The writer has much to say but the readers are "dull of hearing," needing "milk, and not of strong meat," which belongs to those whose senses are "exercised to discern both good and evil." Hebrews 5:1Hebrews 5:4Hebrews 5:5Hebrews 5:6Hebrews 5:8Hebrews 5:9Hebrews 5:11Hebrews 5:12Hebrews 5:14

Who, where, when, and the key verses

Who

High priests such as Aaron; Christ, named a priest "after the order of Melchisedec"; and readers who "ought to be teachers" by now. Hebrews 5:4Hebrews 5:6Hebrews 5:12Hebrews overview

Where

The letter does not say where it was written or sent. "They of Italy salute you" may mean the writer was in Italy or was writing to it. Hebrews overview

When

Traditionally dated before AD 70, since the letter speaks of the tabernacle service as still going on and never mentions the temple's fall. Most scholars date it about AD 60-90 and say the writer is unknown. Hebrews overview

How it fits

Chapter 4 ended with the invitation to "come boldly unto the throne of grace." Chapter 6 continues the call to grow: "let us go on unto perfection." Hebrews 4:16Hebrews 5:12Hebrews 6:1

Key verses

Takeaway

Obey Christ, the author of eternal salvation, and keep growing past spiritual milk by putting God's word into practice. Hebrews 5:9Hebrews 5:14

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-11-01.

Christ called as high priest

1For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. 3And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 7Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Milk and strong meat

11Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.