Heb 2:17 | RWP | e4.org | Wherefore ( οθεν ). Old relative adverb ( ο and enclitic θεν , whence of place ( ), of source ( ), of cause as here and often in Hebrews ( ; ; ; ; ). It behoved him ( ωφειλεν ). Imperfect active of οφειλω , old verb to owe, money ( ), service and love ( ), duty or obligation as here and often in N.T. ( ). Jesus is here the subject and the reference is to the incarnation. Having undertaken the work of redemption ( ), voluntarily ( ), Jesus was under obligation to be properly equipped for that priestly service and sacrifice. In all things ( κατα παντα ). Except yielding to sin ( ) and yet he knew what temptation was, difficult as it may be for us to comprehend that in the Son of God who is also the Son of man ( ). Jesus fought through to victory over Satan. To be made like unto his brethren ( τοις αδελφοις ομοιωθηνα ). First aorist passive infinitive of ομοιοω , old and common verb from ομοιος (like), as in , with the associative instrumental case as here. Christ, our Elder Brother, resembles us in reality ( "in the likeness of men") as we shall resemble him in the end ( "first-born among many brethren"; "like him"), where the same root is used as here ( οιωμα, ομοιος ). That he might be ( ινα γενητα ). Purpose clause with ινα and the second aorist middle subjunctive of γινομα , to become, "that he might become." That was only possible by being like his brethren in actual human nature. Merciful and faithful high priest ( ελεημων κα πιστος αρχιερευς ). The sudden use of αρχιερευς here for Jesus has been anticipated by ; and see . Jesus as the priest-victim is the chief topic of the Epistle. These two adjectives ( ελεημων and πιστος ) touch the chief points in the function of the high priest ( ), sympathy and fidelity to God. The Sadducean high priests (Annas and Caiaphas) were political and ecclesiastical tools and puppets out of sympathy with the people and chosen by Rome. In things pertaining to God ( τα προς τον θεον ). The adverbial accusative of the article is a common idiom. See the very idiom τα προς τον θεον in ; . This use of προς we had already in . On the day of atonement the high priest entered the holy of holies and officiated in behalf of the people. To make propitiation for ( εις το ιλασκεσθα ). Purpose clause with εις το and the infinitive (common Greek idiom), here present indirect middle of ιλασκομα , to render propitious to oneself (from ιλαος , Attic ιλεως , gracious). This idea occurs in the LXX ( ), but only here in N.T., though in the passive form ( ιλασθητ ) occurs as in . In we have ιλασμος used of Christ (cf. ). The inscriptions illustrate the meaning in as well as the LXX.

‏ Hebrews 2:17

Wherefore ( οθεν ). Old relative adverb ( ο and enclitic θεν, whence of place (Mt 12:44), of source (1Jo 2:18), of cause as here and often in Hebrews (3:1; 7:25; 8:3; 9:18; 11:19).

It behoved him ( ωφειλεν ). Imperfect active of οφειλω, old verb to owe, money (Mt 18:28), service and love (Ro 13:8), duty or obligation as here and often in N.T. (Lu 17:10). Jesus is here the subject and the reference is to the incarnation. Having undertaken the work of redemption (Joh 3:16), voluntarily (Joh 10:17), Jesus was under obligation to be properly equipped for that priestly service and sacrifice.

In all things ( κατα παντα ). Except yielding to sin (Heb 4:15) and yet he knew what temptation was, difficult as it may be for us to comprehend that in the Son of God who is also the Son of man (Mr 1:13). Jesus fought through to victory over Satan.

To be made like unto his brethren ( τοις αδελφοις ομοιωθηνα ). First aorist passive infinitive of ομοιοω, old and common verb from ομοιος (like), as in Mt 6:8, with the associative instrumental case as here. Christ, our Elder Brother, resembles us in reality (Php 2:7 "in the likeness of men") as we shall resemble him in the end (Ro 8:29 "first-born among many brethren"; 1Jo 3:2 "like him"), where the same root is used as here ( οιωμα, ομοιος ). That he might be ( ινα γενητα ). Purpose clause with ινα and the second aorist middle subjunctive of γινομα, to become, "that he might become." That was only possible by being like his brethren in actual human nature.

Merciful and faithful high priest ( ελεημων κα πιστος αρχιερευς ). The sudden use of αρχιερευς here for Jesus has been anticipated by 1:3; 2:9 and see 3:1. Jesus as the priest-victim is the chief topic of the Epistle. These two adjectives ( ελεημων and πιστος ) touch the chief points in the function of the high priest (5:1-10), sympathy and fidelity to God. The Sadducean high priests (Annas and Caiaphas) were political and ecclesiastical tools and puppets out of sympathy with the people and chosen by Rome.

In things pertaining to God ( τα προς τον θεον ). The adverbial accusative of the article is a common idiom. See the very idiom τα προς τον θεον in Ex 18:19; Ro 15:17. This use of προς we had already in Heb 1:7f. On the day of atonement the high priest entered the holy of holies and officiated in behalf of the people.

To make propitiation for ( εις το ιλασκεσθα ). Purpose clause with εις το and the infinitive (common Greek idiom), here present indirect middle of ιλασκομα, to render propitious to oneself (from ιλαος, Attic ιλεως, gracious). This idea occurs in the LXX (Ps 65:3), but only here in N.T., though in Lu 18:13 the passive form ( ιλασθητ ) occurs as in 2Ki 5:18. In 1Jo 2:2 we have ιλασμος used of Christ (cf. Heb 7:25). The inscriptions illustrate the meaning in Heb 2:17 as well as the LXX.