Hebrews 2 17

Hebrews 2:17 kjv

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.

Hebrews 2:17 nkjv

Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 2:17 niv

For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 2:17 esv

Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 2:17 nlt

Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.

Hebrews 2 verses

Hebrews 2 17 Meaning

Hebrews 2:17 states that Jesus Christ necessarily became fully human to perfectly fulfill His role as a merciful and faithful High Priest. His purpose in assuming humanity was to make complete atonement for the sins of humanity, thus serving as the ultimate mediator between God and humankind. This verse underlines the essential humanity of Christ for His atoning work and priestly ministry, providing reconciliation and removing the barrier of sin.

Hebrews 2 17 Context

Hebrews chapter 2 expands on the initial assertion of Christ's supremacy by demonstrating why, despite His pre-eminent divine glory (Heb 1), His shared humanity was essential for His redemptive mission. The chapter begins with a warning not to neglect such a great salvation, grounding its authority in the Son, not angels. It then cites Ps 8, showing how humanity, originally designed for dominion but now subject to suffering, finds its fulfillment and destiny embodied in Christ, who, for a time, was "made a little lower than the angels" for the specific purpose of tasting death for everyone (Heb 2:9). Verses 14-16 explain how Jesus shared humanity to conquer death and liberate those enslaved by its fear, saving the descendants of Abraham (humans), not angels. Verse 17 thus concludes this logical progression, emphasizing the divine necessity for Christ's full identification with humanity ("Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren") in order to fulfill His primary office as the ultimate, merciful, and faithful High Priest and make perfect propitiation for sin. This theological argument would have resonated deeply with the letter's original Jewish Christian audience, who understood the significance of the High Priesthood and sacrificial system within their ancestral traditions.

Hebrews 2 17 Word analysis

• Therefore (ὅθεν - hothen): Signals a logical consequence derived from the preceding arguments in Hebrews 2:9-16. Because Jesus, though exalted, subjected Himself to human weakness, conquered death, freed His people, and is not ashamed to call them brethren, His full humanity was necessarily central to His mission.
• in all things (κατὰ πάντα - kata panta): Denotes comprehensive and complete identification with humanity, encompassing every aspect of the human experience, except for sin. This includes vulnerability, temptation, suffering, and death, which authenticate His empathy and high priestly fitness.
• He had to be made (ὤφειλεν γενέσθαι - opheilen genesthai): Translates a divine necessity or obligation. It indicates that Jesus' incarnation was not arbitrary but an indispensable and pre-ordained requirement within God's sovereign plan for redemption. It highlights the absolute necessity for the God-Man to mediate effectively.
• like His brethren (τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς - tois adelphois): Refers to human beings, specifically those for whom He makes atonement and with whom He shares a familial bond as children of God. It stresses Christ's full solidarity and deep identification with humanity, His fellow "family members," creating an empathetic connection.
• that He might be (ἵνα γένηται - hina genētai): A purpose clause, clearly outlining the intended divine outcome and specific objective of His incarnation—to serve as the High Priest.
• a merciful (ἐλεήμων - eleēmōn): Describes Jesus' profound compassion, empathy, and readiness to offer aid and grace. This quality springs from His shared human experience of suffering and temptation, allowing Him to fully comprehend human weakness without being compromised by sin.
• and faithful (καὶ πιστὸς - kai pistos): Indicates Jesus' unwavering trustworthiness, loyalty, and perfect steadfastness in fulfilling His priestly duties to God and on behalf of His people. His faithfulness ensures the efficacy and permanence of His work.
• High Priest (ἀρχιερεὺς - archiereus): The supreme mediator between God and humanity in the Old Testament sacrificial system. Christ is presented as the ultimate, superior High Priest whose sacrifice transcends all former priestly actions, providing once-for-all access to God.
• in things pertaining to God (τὰ πρὸς τὸν Θεόν - ta pros ton Theon): Encompasses all matters related to God's character, holiness, justice, and humanity's relationship with Him. As High Priest, Jesus exclusively represents humanity before God's divine authority.
• to make propitiation (εἰς τὸ ἱλάσκεσθαι - eis to hilaskesthai): Signifies the act of appeasing God's righteous wrath against sin, thereby removing the divine judgment and restoring favor and communion. It refers to the means by which reconciliation is achieved and the sin-debt satisfied. This term highlights the expiatory nature of Christ's sacrifice, covering sin.
• for the sins of the people (τὰς ἁμαρτίας τοῦ λαοῦ - tas hamartias tou laou): Specifies that the primary obstacle to humanity's relationship with God is sin. "The people" broadly refers to all whom Christ came to save, whose transgressions necessitate this divine act of propitiation.

Hebrews 2 17 Bonus section

The High Priesthood of Christ, detailed further in Hebrews, demonstrates His singular capacity to approach God on humanity's behalf. Unlike the Levitical high priests who frequently offered animal sacrifices that only temporarily covered sins, Jesus' unique, once-for-all sacrifice of Himself provides eternal and perfect propitiation. This underscores His divine nature, which enabled His sacrifice to be perfect and of infinite worth, and His human nature, which enabled Him to be the fitting and sympathetic offering. The verse emphasizes that salvation is not through the angels or human efforts but through the divine intervention of God's Son, uniquely qualified through His incarnation and sacrificial death.

Hebrews 2 17 Commentary

Hebrews 2:17 is a cornerstone verse, synthesizing Christ's incarnation with His priestly ministry and atoning work. It asserts that Jesus' full identification "in all things" with humanity was not merely coincidental but a divine necessity ("He had to be made"). This deep solidarity with "His brethren" was indispensable for Him to function as humanity's perfect representative. The attributes "merciful and faithful" are critical to His High Priesthood. He is "merciful" because, having truly experienced human weakness and temptation (without succumbing to sin), He understands and sympathizes with the plight of those He mediates for. He is "faithful" because He perfectly fulfills God's will and flawlessly represents humanity before God, ensuring His redemptive work is always reliable and efficacious. His ultimate purpose as High Priest was "to make propitiation for the sins of the people." This means that through His sacrifice, He completely satisfied God's righteous demands against human sin, removing the barrier that separated a holy God from sinful humanity. This unique act reconciles alienated humanity to God, securing forgiveness and peace. This verse, therefore, underpins the effectiveness of Christ's cross-work as a necessary act of His humanity, fulfilling His divine mandate.