Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that the high priest's own "infirmity" or human weakness—not necessarily personal sin, but the inherent frailty of being human—obligated him to offer sacrifices for himself before he could effectively offer them for the people. This underscores a crucial difference from Christ, who, though experiencing human weakness, did not need to atone for himself because he was without sin.
Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is explaining the qualifications and duties of the Old Testament high priest, highlighting his humanity and need for sacrifice, just like the people he served. This leads to the observation that because the high priest himself was imperfect and subject to weakness, he had to offer sacrifices not only for the sins of the nation but also for his own sins. This sets up the stark contrast with Jesus, who, as the perfect High Priest, needed no such offering for himself.
Every high priest, no matter how holy, was human. This verse highlights a crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of their role: their own limitations.
The writer of Hebrews is making a powerful point about the Levitical high priests. Because they were 'compassed with infirmity' (Hebrews 5:2), they had a profound, unavoidable obligation: they had to offer sacrifices not only for the sins of the people but also for their own sins.
This wasn't just a formality; it was a moral and legal necessity. The Law required it. Think about the Day of Atonement – it was a huge deal, and it started with the High Priest dealing with his own sin first. Until he did, he couldn't effectively serve the people. It underscores that even the person set apart to mediate with God was still a sinner, in need of atonement.
This truth sets the stage for understanding Jesus. If earthly priests, burdened by their own sin, had to offer sacrifices, what does that say about the One who would be the perfect High Priest?
Being chosen to represent others before God isn't a light duty. It comes with a heavy burden, a binding obligation.
The word 'obligated' here isn't just about following a rule; it's about a deep-seated necessity. The high priest ought to offer sacrifice for himself. This isn't optional; it's woven into the very fabric of his role, stemming directly from his own human frailty.
Imagine the pressure: you are the bridge between a holy God and a sinful people. Your own sin creates a barrier that must first remove before you can even begin to help others overcome theirs. This highlights the immense responsibility placed upon the Levitical high priest and, by extension, points to the even greater work of Christ.
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This concept forces us to see that true mediation requires acknowledging one's own need for atonement before addressing the needs of others. It's a tough, but essential, aspect of serving God.
The text highlights how the Old Testament Law required the High Priest to offer sacrifices not only for the people but also for his own sins, underscoring his own human frailty. This sets the stage for understanding Jesus' unique, perfect priesthood, where He, being without sin, offered Himself once for all.
c. 1440 BC
Mosaic Law Given
God establishes the Levitical priesthood and the sacrificial system through Moses, including specific requirements for the High Priest's role on the Day of Atonement. This law mandated offerings for both the people and the High Priest himself.
c. 960 BC
Temple Construction in Jerusalem
King Solomon builds the First Temple in Jerusalem, serving as the central location for Israel's sacrificial worship and the High Priest's duties for centuries.
587 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonian army destroys Jerusalem and the First Temple, ending the continuous line of Levitical High Priests and the sacrificial system as it was previously known.
c. 516 BC
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
The Jewish people return from exile and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. The Levitical priesthood and sacrificial system are re-established, though under different political circumstances.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, the ultimate High Priest, is crucified. This event is presented as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity, superseding the need for Levitical sin offerings.
c. AD 70
Destruction of the Second Temple
The Roman army destroys Jerusalem and the Second Temple, marking the definitive end of the Levitical priesthood and the sacrificial system described in the Old Testament.
This passage details the specific requirement for the high priest to offer a bull for his own sins, establishing the foundational principle that even the appointed mediator needed atonement.
Leviticus 16:6Here, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest is again commanded to offer a bull as a sin offering for himself and his household, reinforcing the idea that the mediator's own spiritual state had to be addressed before ministering to others.
Hebrews 7:27This verse directly parallels the idea, stating that Christ, unlike the earthly high priests, offered himself without spot, highlighting the significant difference and superiority of His sacrifice due to His sinlessness.
Hebrews 9:7This verse describes the earthly high priest entering the Most Holy Place annually with blood for his own sins and the sins of the people, underscoring the repetitive and imperfect nature of the Levitical system that Christ’s singular sacrifice fulfilled.
Isaiah 53:12This prophecy foreshadows the suffering servant who would 'bear the iniquities of many, and make intercession for the transgressors,' pointing to the Messiah taking on the sin that necessitated such offerings, including His own future bearing of our transgressions.
ellicottHebrews 5:3: "And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins."
(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,…
pooleHebrews 5:3: "And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins."
This connection demonstrates the infirmity of the legal high priest: for this their infirmity, sins of ignorance and error. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people; he was obliged to his work by the express law of God, Leviticus 1:1-17 . It is a rule for what the priests ought to do, and so is the whole book, to which they are to be punctually obedient, even to sacrifice for particu…
The verse highlights that the high priest's own "infirmity" or human weakness—not necessarily personal sin, but the inherent frailty of being human—obligated him to offer sacrifices for himself before he could effectively offer them for the people. This underscores a crucial difference from Christ, who, though experiencing human weakness, did not need to atone for himself because he was without sin.
The author is explaining the qualifications and duties of the Old Testament high priest, highlighting his humanity and need for sacrifice, just like the people he served. This leads to the observation that because the high priest himself was imperfect and subject to weakness, he had to offer sacrifices not only for the sins of the nation but also for his own sins. This sets up the stark contrast with Jesus, who, as the perfect High Priest, needed no such offering for himself.
The author is explaining the qualifications and duties of the Old Testament high priest, highlighting his humanity and need for sacrifice, just like the people he served. This leads to the observation that because the high priest himself was imperfect and subject to weakness, he had to offer sacrifices not only for the sins of the nation but also for his own sins. This sets up the stark contrast with Jesus, who, as the perfect High Priest, needed no such offering for himself.
"Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people." — The verse highlights that the high priest's own "infirmity" or human weakness—not necessarily personal sin, but the inherent frailty of being human—obligated him to offer sacrifices for himself bef…
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Last reviewed October 2026