Hebrews 5:3
New International Version
This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.

New Living Translation
That is why he must offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as theirs.

English Standard Version
Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.

Berean Standard Bible
That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.

Berean Literal Bible
and because of this, he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, so also for himself, just as for the people.

King James Bible
And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

New King James Version
Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins.

New American Standard Bible
and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins for himself, as well as for the people.

NASB 1995
and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, as for the people, so also for himself.

NASB 1977
and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, as for the people, so also for himself.

Legacy Standard Bible
and because of it, he is obligated, just as for the people, to also offer sacrifices for sins in the same way for himself.

Amplified Bible
and because of this [human weakness] he is required to offer sacrifices for sins, for himself as well as for the people.

Christian Standard Bible
Because of this, he must make an offering for his own sins as well as for the people.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Because of this, he must make a sin offering for himself as well as for the people.

American Standard Version
and by reason thereof is bound, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

Contemporary English Version
This is why he must offer sacrifices for his own sins and for the sins of others.

English Revised Version
and by reason thereof is bound, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Because he has weaknesses, he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins in the same way that he does for the sins of his people.

Good News Translation
And because he is himself weak, he must offer sacrifices not only for the sins of the people but also for his own sins.

International Standard Version
For that reason he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as for those of the people.

NET Bible
and for this reason he is obligated to make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people.

New Heart English Bible
Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself.

Webster's Bible Translation
And by reason of this he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

Weymouth New Testament
And for this reason he is required to offer sin-offerings not only for the people but also for himself.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.

World English Bible
Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and because of this [weakness] he ought, just as for the people, so also for himself, to bring forward [sacrifices] for sins;

Berean Literal Bible
and because of this, he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, so also for himself, just as for the people.

Young's Literal Translation
and because of this infirmity he ought, as for the people, so also for himself to offer for sins;

Smith's Literal Translation
And for this he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to bring in for sins.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And therefore he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And because of this, he also must make such offerings for sins even for himself, in the same manner as for the people.

New American Bible
and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people.

New Revised Standard Version
and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Because of these, he is obliged, just as he offers sacrifices for the people, likewise to offer for himself on account of his own sins.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he owes a debt for his own sake, that as for the people, in this way also for his own sake, he will make an offering for his sins.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and on account of this, he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to make offering for sins.

Godbey New Testament
and on this account he has need, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins.

Haweis New Testament
And on this account he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifice for sins.

Mace New Testament
he is obliged to offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as for those of the people, besides, no man can assume

Weymouth New Testament
And for this reason he is required to offer sin-offerings not only for the people but also for himself.

Worrell New Testament
and, on account of it, he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to make offering for sins.

Worsley New Testament
and for this reason he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifice for sins.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Perfect High Priest
2He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is beset by weakness. 3 That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.…

Cross References
Leviticus 9:7
Then Moses said to Aaron, “Approach the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering to make atonement for yourself and for the people. And sacrifice the people’s offering to make atonement for them, as the LORD has commanded.”

Leviticus 16:6
Aaron is to present the bull for his sin offering and make atonement for himself and his household.

Leviticus 16:11
When Aaron presents the bull for his sin offering and makes atonement for himself and his household, he is to slaughter the bull for his own sin offering.

Leviticus 4:3
If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a young bull without blemish as a sin offering for the sin he has committed.

Leviticus 4:14-20
when they become aware of the sin they have committed, then the assembly must bring a young bull as a sin offering and present it before the Tent of Meeting. / The elders of the congregation are to lay their hands on the bull’s head before the LORD, and it shall be slaughtered before the LORD. / Then the anointed priest is to bring some of the bull’s blood into the Tent of Meeting, ...

Leviticus 4:22-26
When a leader sins unintentionally and does what is prohibited by any of the commandments of the LORD his God, he incurs guilt. / When he becomes aware of the sin he has committed, he must bring an unblemished male goat as his offering. / He is to lay his hand on the head of the goat and slaughter it at the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered before the LORD. It is a sin offering. ...

Leviticus 4:27-31
And if one of the common people sins unintentionally and does what is prohibited by any of the LORD’s commandments, he incurs guilt. / When he becomes aware of the sin he has committed, he must bring an unblemished female goat as his offering for that sin. / He is to lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it at the place of the burnt offering. ...

Leviticus 4:32-35
If, however, he brings a lamb as a sin offering, he must bring an unblemished female. / And he is to lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it as a sin offering at the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered. / Then the priest is to take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour out the rest of its blood at the base of the altar. ...

Numbers 8:12
And the Levites are to lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, and offer to the LORD one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, to make atonement for the Levites.

Numbers 28:15
In addition to the regular burnt offering with its drink offering, one male goat is to be presented to the LORD as a sin offering.

1 Samuel 3:14
Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli, ‘The iniquity of Eli’s house shall never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’”

2 Chronicles 29:21
They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats as a sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And the king commanded the priests, the descendants of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of the LORD.

Isaiah 53:6
We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.


Treasury of Scripture

And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

as.

Hebrews 7:27
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

Hebrews 9:7
But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

Exodus 29:12-19
And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar…

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Hebrews 5
1. The honor of our Savior's priesthood.
11. Negligence in the knowledge thereof is reproved.














That is why he is obligated
The phrase "he is obligated" refers to the high priest's duty under the Old Covenant. The high priest had a divinely appointed role, as outlined in Leviticus, to mediate between God and the people. This obligation was not optional but a requirement of his office, emphasizing the seriousness and responsibility of his position. The high priest's role was to ensure that the sacrificial system was maintained, which was central to the Israelites' relationship with God.

to offer sacrifices for his own sins
The high priest, being human, was also a sinner and needed to offer sacrifices for his own sins before he could intercede for the people. This requirement is detailed in Leviticus 16:6, where Aaron, the first high priest, is instructed to make atonement for himself and his household. This highlights the imperfection of the Levitical priesthood and foreshadows the need for a perfect high priest, which is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is sinless and does not need to offer sacrifices for Himself.

as well as for the sins of the people
The high priest's role extended beyond personal atonement to include the sins of the entire nation. This communal aspect of the sacrificial system is seen in the Day of Atonement rituals (Leviticus 16:15-16), where the high priest made atonement for the people of Israel. This practice underscores the collective nature of sin and the need for a mediator. In the New Testament, Jesus is presented as the ultimate high priest who offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people, fulfilling and surpassing the Old Testament sacrificial system.

Persons / Places / Events
1. High Priest
In the context of Hebrews 5, the high priest is a central figure who mediates between God and the people. He is responsible for offering sacrifices for sins, both for himself and for the people.

2. Sacrifices
These are offerings made to God, often involving the shedding of blood, as a means of atonement for sin. In the Old Testament, sacrifices were a key part of the Levitical priesthood.

3. Sins
Refers to the moral failings and transgressions against God's law, which necessitate atonement through sacrifice.

4. People
The community of believers or the Israelites, for whom the high priest offers sacrifices.

5. Old Testament Priesthood
The Levitical priesthood established under the Mosaic Law, which required priests to offer sacrifices for their own sins and the sins of the people.
Teaching Points
The Role of the High Priest
The high priest serves as a mediator between God and humanity, highlighting the need for intercession due to sin.

The Imperfection of the Old Covenant
The need for the high priest to offer sacrifices for his own sins points to the imperfection of the Old Covenant and the anticipation of a perfect High Priest in Jesus.

The Universality of Sin
Both the high priest and the people are in need of atonement, reminding us of the pervasive nature of sin and our need for a Savior.

Christ as Our Perfect High Priest
Unlike the Levitical priests, Jesus, our High Priest, is sinless and offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice, fulfilling and surpassing the Old Testament system.

Living in Light of Christ's Sacrifice
Understanding the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice should lead us to live lives of gratitude, obedience, and worship.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Hebrews 5:3?

2. How does Hebrews 5:3 highlight the priest's need for personal atonement?

3. What does Hebrews 5:3 teach about human weakness and sinfulness?

4. How can we apply the priest's humility in Hebrews 5:3 to our lives?

5. In what ways does Hebrews 5:3 connect to Jesus' role as our High Priest?

6. How does Hebrews 5:3 encourage us to seek forgiveness for our own sins?

7. What does Hebrews 5:3 reveal about the role of high priests in offering sacrifices for sins?

8. How does Hebrews 5:3 relate to the concept of Jesus as the ultimate high priest?

9. Why is the high priest's need to offer sacrifices for his own sins significant in Hebrews 5:3?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 5?

11. Why was Jesus's death necessary for our sins?

12. What does 'baptized into His death' mean?

13. How do Christianity and Judaism fundamentally differ?

14. What does 'fall from grace' mean?
What Does Hebrews 5:3 Mean
That is why

Hebrews 5:1–2 sets the stage: “Every high priest... is appointed to represent the people in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.” The phrase “That is why” points back to two truths just stated:

• The high priest is chosen “from among men” (v. 1), meaning he shares human weakness.

• He “can deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is beset by weakness” (v. 2).

Because the priest shares fallen humanity, a sacrificial response is necessary. Leviticus 16:6 demonstrates this principle when Aaron first offers a bull for his own atonement before ministering for Israel.


he is obligated

The verb underscores duty, not option. God’s law required a priest to follow an established pattern (Leviticus 4:3–12; 9:7). No priest could improvise or bypass what God commanded. This obligation reminds us that forgiveness never comes through human merit but through God-ordained sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22).


to offer sacrifices

Sacrifice stands at the heart of priestly ministry:

• Blood covers guilt (Leviticus 17:11).

• Sacrifice enables continued fellowship between God and His people (Exodus 29:38-46).

• It foreshadows the once-for-all offering of Christ (Hebrews 10:1-4, 12).

The plurality “sacrifices” reflects the many offerings demanded under the old covenant—daily, weekly, annually—highlighting its incompleteness compared with the single perfect sacrifice of Jesus.


for his own sins

Human priests shared the same sin nature as those they represented (Romans 3:23). Before approaching God on behalf of others, a priest needed cleansing himself (Leviticus 16:6, 11). This emphasized:

• Personal accountability—no one stands exempt.

• The inadequacy of any merely human mediator.

• The contrast with Christ, the sinless High Priest (Hebrews 7:26-27), who never needed to atone for Himself.


as well as

The connector links two inseparable tasks. Once purified, the priest’s service expands outward. Leviticus 16:15 shows Aaron moving from his own offering to the people’s, illustrating the flow: cleanse the mediator, then cleanse the nation.


for the sins of the people

The priest acts representatively, carrying Israel’s guilt before God (Exodus 28:29-30). Key truths emerge:

• Sin separates the people from God (Isaiah 59:2).

• God, in mercy, provides a substitutionary system so He can dwell among them (Numbers 28:1-8).

• The priests’ continual offerings foreshadow Christ, who “entered the Most Holy Place once for all… having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12).


summary

Hebrews 5:3 teaches that every earthly high priest, sharing humanity’s weakness, must first deal with his own sin through God-appointed sacrifices before interceding for others. This requirement exposes the limitations of the Levitical system and prepares us to see the superiority of Jesus, the sinless and eternal High Priest whose single sacrifice perfectly satisfies God for both priest and people.

(3) To be closely joined with Hebrews 5:2 : "Is compassed with infirmity, and by reason thereof is bound . . ." The law of the Day of Atonement required a sin-offering of a bullock and a burnt-offering of a ram for the high priest himself, and for the congregation a sin-offering of two he-goats and a burnt-offering of a ram. Over his own sin-offering the high priest made confession of sins, first for himself and his household, then for the priests; over the goat sent into the wilderness the sins of the people were confessed.

Verse 3. - And by reason hereof he ought (or, is bound, ὀφείλει), as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. This obligation is evident in the case of the high priests of the Law. Consequently, their sin offering for themselves, in the first place, was a prominent part of the ceremonial of the Day of Atonement, which the writer may be supposed to have especially in view (Leviticus 16.). But can we suppose any corresponding necessity in the case of Christ? The argument does not absolutely require that we should, since the obligation of the Levitical high priest may be adduced only in proof of his own experience of ἀσθενεία. Christ, though under no such obligation, might still fulfill the requisites of a high priest, expressed in the case of sinful high priests by the obligation to offer for themselves; and we may (as Ebrard says) leave it to the writer to show hew he does fulfill them. Whether, however, there was in Christ's own experience anything corresponding to the high priest's offering for himself will be considered under vers. 7, 8.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
That is why
δι’ (di’)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

he is obligated
ὀφείλει (opheilei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3784: Or, its prolonged form opheileo probably from the base of ophelos; to owe; figuratively, to be under obligation; morally, to fail in duty.

to offer sacrifices
προσφέρειν (prospherein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 4374: From pros and phero; to bear towards, i.e. Lead to, tender, treat.

for
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

his own
αὑτοῦ (hautou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

sins,
ἁμαρτιῶν (hamartiōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 266: From hamartano; a sin.

as well as
καθὼς (kathōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.

for [the sins of]
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

people.
λαοῦ (laou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2992: Apparently a primary word; a people.


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NT Letters: Hebrews 5:3 Because of this he must offer sacrifices (Heb. He. Hb)
Hebrews 5:2
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