John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. For every high priest taken from among men , etc..] Every one that was an high priest under the law was a man, and not an angel; and it was proper he should be so, that he might be a priest for men, have compassion on them, and offer for them; and he was among the number of common men, and was taken out from them, and chosen and separated from the rest of men, as Aaron and his sons were from the children of Israel, ( Exodus 28:1). And such an one is ordained for men ; in their room and stead, and for their good; and above them, as the word sometimes signifies; he was exalted unto, and invested with a superior office, to which he was ordained according to the law of a carnal commandment, by anointing with oil, and without an oath. In things pertaining to God ; in things in which God had to do with men; and so he presided over them in the name of God, and declared the will of God unto them, and blessed them; and in things in which men had to do with God; and so he appeared in their name, and represented their persons, and presented their sacrifices to God, as follows: that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins ; freewill offerings, peace offerings, burnt offerings, sin and trespass offerings, all kind of sacrifice.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - The High Priest must be a man, a partaker of our nature. This show that man had sinned. For God would not suffer sinful man to come to his alone. But every one is welcome to God, that comes to him by this Hig Priest; and as we value acceptance with God, and pardon, we must appl by faith to this our great High Priest Christ Jesus, who can interced for those that are out of the way of truth, duty, and happiness; on who has tenderness to lead them back from the by-paths of error, sin and misery. Those only can expect assistance from God, and acceptanc with him, and his presence and blessing on them and their services that are called of God. This is applied to Christ. In the days of his flesh, Christ made himself subject to death: he hungered: he was tempted, suffering, dying Jesus. Christ set an example, not only to pray, but to be fervent in prayer. How many dry prayers, how few wette with tears, do we offer up to God! He was strengthened to support the immense weight of suffering laid upon him. There is no real deliveranc from death but to be carried through it. He was raised and exalted, an to him was given the power of saving all sinners to the uttermost, wh come unto God through him. Christ has left us an example that we shoul learn humble obedience to the will of God, by all our afflictions. We need affliction, to teach us submission. His obedience in our natur encourages our attempts to obey, and for us to expect support an comfort under all the temptations and sufferings to which we ar exposed. Being made perfect for this great work, he is become the Author of eternal salvation to all that obey him. But are we of tha number?
Greek Textus Receptus
πας 3956 A-NSM γαρ 1063 CONJ αρχιερευς 749 N-NSM εξ 1537 PREP ανθρωπων 444 N-GPM λαμβανομενος 2983 5746 V-PPP-NSM υπερ 5228 PREP ανθρωπων 444 N-GPM καθισταται 2525 5743 V-PPI-3S τα 3588 T-APN προς 4314 PREP τον 3588 T-ASM θεον 2316 N-ASM ινα 2443 CONJ προσφερη 4374 5725 V-PAS-3S δωρα 1435 N-APN τε 5037 PRT και 2532 CONJ θυσιας 2378 N-APF υπερ 5228 PREP αμαρτιων 266 N-GPF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
1. Every high priest (pav arciereuv). Every Levitical high priest. Arciereuv o P.Taken (lambanomenov). Rend. being taken, or since he is taken: not who is taken. The point is that the high priest's efficiency for men depends on his being taken from among men.
Is ordained (kaqistatai). Constituted priest. See on Tit. i. 5.
For men (uper anqrwpwn). On behalf of men.
In things pertaining to God (ta prov ton qeon). As respects his relation to God. See on ch. ii. 17.
That he may offer (ina prosferh).Prosferein, lit. to bring to (the altar). Comp. Matt. v. 23. o P., who, however, has the kindred noun prosfora offering. Very often in LXX; nineteen times in Hebrews, and always, with one exception (ch. xii. 7), in the technical sense, as here. Gifts - sacrifices (dwra-qusiav). Dwra offerings generally:qusiav bloody sacrifices. The distinction, however, is not constantly observed. Thus, qusiai, of unbloody offerings, Gen. iv. 3, 5; Lev. ii. 1; Num. v. 15: dwra, of bloody offerings, Gen. iv. 4; Lev. i. 2, 3, 10.
For sins (uper amartiwn). In this the priest's efficiency is especially called out, and he who has not genuine compassion for the sinful cannot do this efficiently. Hence the words which follow.
