For 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:
every.
Hebrews 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
Exodus 28:1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
Exodus 29:1 And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish,
is ordained.
Hebrews 8:3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
for men.
Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Numbers 16:46-48 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun…
Numbers 18:1-3 And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood…
both.
Hebrews 8:3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
Hebrews 9:9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
Hebrews 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
to represent them in matters relating to God
The high priest served as a mediator, a role that is central to the priestly function. This representation involved interceding on behalf of the people, bringing their concerns, sins, and needs before God. The high priest's role as a representative is a precursor to the ultimate mediation of Jesus Christ, who is described as the "one mediator between God and mankind" in 1 Timothy 2:5. This function highlights the necessity of a go-between who can bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity.
to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins
The offering of gifts and sacrifices was a fundamental duty of the high priest, as outlined in Leviticus. These offerings included both voluntary gifts and mandatory sacrifices, such as sin offerings and burnt offerings, which were essential for atonement and maintaining the covenant relationship with God. The sacrificial system pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself once for all, as described in Hebrews 10:10. This phrase underscores the temporary and repetitive nature of the Old Testament sacrifices, which were ultimately fulfilled in the perfect and final sacrifice of Christ.
“Every high priest…”.
• Scripture presents a continuing line of high priests—Aaron onward (Exodus 28:1). Their very existence reminds us that God, in His faithfulness, always provides a mediator (Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 7:23-24).
• The phrase “every” underscores that this office is no human invention; it is God-ordained, and no generation is left without appointed spiritual leadership (Malachi 2:7).
“…is appointed from among men…”.
• Appointment, not self-promotion, marks the priesthood. Numbers 16 shows what happens when self-appointed leaders challenge God’s choice.
• The high priest shares the same flesh and blood as those he serves (Hebrews 2:14), enabling empathy with human weakness (Hebrews 4:15).
• Jesus fulfills this truth perfectly: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). His full humanity is essential to His priestly ministry.
“…to represent them in matters relating to God…”.
• The priest bears the people’s names before the Lord, much like Aaron’s breastpiece carried Israel’s tribes (Exodus 28:29).
• This representation is personal and ongoing: “Christ has entered into heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence” (Hebrews 9:24).
• Our access to the Father rests entirely on this representation: “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
“…to offer gifts and sacrifices…”.
• “Gifts” point to thanksgiving and devotion (Leviticus 2), while “sacrifices” emphasize substitutionary atonement (Leviticus 1, 4).
• Hebrews 8:3 reminds us that every high priest “is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices,” linking earthly patterns to the heavenly reality.
• Christ loved us “and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2), satisfying both aspects perfectly.
“…for sins.”.
• Sin separates humanity from God (Isaiah 59:2); the priestly system confronts that breach. Leviticus 17:11 declares, “The life of the flesh is in the blood… it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”
• Hebrews 9:11-12 shows the fulfillment: Christ entered the Most Holy Place “by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.”
• Because “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf” (2 Corinthians 5:21), our guilt is fully addressed, and fellowship with God is restored (1 John 2:2).
Hebrews 5:1 sketches the entire priestly mission: a God-appointed, fully human representative offers divinely prescribed gifts and sacrifices to bridge the gap created by sin. Earthly high priests prefigure the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, whose once-for-all offering secures eternal access to God for all who believe.
(1) Taken.--Rather, being taken, since he is taken, from among men.Gifts and sacrifices.--The former is in itself perfectly general; but when thus contrasted with "sacrifices" it denotes the "unbloody offerings" of the Law. On the Day of Atonement (which, as we shall see, is almost always in the writer's thoughts as he refers to the functions of the high priest) the "offerings" would consist of the incense and of the "meat-offerings" connected with the burnt-sacrifices for the day. On that day all offerings, as well as all sacrifices, had relation to "sins."