Heb 7:26-28 | RWP | e4.org | Became us ( ημιν επρεπεν ). Imperfect active indicative of πρεπω as in , only there it was applied to God while here to us. "Such" ( τοιουτος ) refers to the Melchizedek character of Jesus as high priest and in particular to his power to help and save ( .) as just explained in . Moffatt notes that "it is generally misleading to parse a rhapsody" but the adjectives that follow picture in outline the qualities of the high priest needed by us. Holy ( οσιος ). Saintly, pious, as already noted. Cf. ; . Guileless ( ακακος ). Without malice, innocent. In N.T. only here and . Undefiled ( αμιαντος ). Untainted, stainless. In the papyri. Not merely ritual purity ( ), but real ethical cleanness. Separated from sinners ( κεχωρισμενος απο των αμαρτωλων ). Perfect passive participle. Probably referring to Christ's exaltation ( ). Made higher than the heavens ( υψηλοτερος των ουρανων γενομενος ). "Having become higher than the heavens." Ablative case ( ουρανων ) after the comparative adjective ( υψηλοτερος ).

‏ Hebrews 7:26-28

Became us ( ημιν επρεπεν ). Imperfect active indicative of πρεπω as in 2:10, only there it was applied to God while here to us. "Such" ( τοιουτος ) refers to the Melchizedek character of Jesus as high priest and in particular to his power to help and save (2:17f.) as just explained in 7:24f. Moffatt notes that "it is generally misleading to parse a rhapsody" but the adjectives that follow picture in outline the qualities of the high priest needed by us.

Holy ( οσιος ). Saintly, pious, as already noted. Cf. Ac 2:24; 13:35.

Guileless ( ακακος ). Without malice, innocent. In N.T. only here and Ro 16:18.

Undefiled ( αμιαντος ). Untainted, stainless. In the papyri. Not merely ritual purity (Le 21:10-15), but real ethical cleanness.

Separated from sinners ( κεχωρισμενος απο των αμαρτωλων ). Perfect passive participle. Probably referring to Christ's exaltation (9:28).

Made higher than the heavens ( υψηλοτερος των ουρανων γενομενος ). "Having become higher than the heavens." Ablative case ( ουρανων ) after the comparative adjective ( υψηλοτερος ).

First ( προτερον ). Regular adverb for comparison between two, though πρωτον often occurs also (Joh 1:41), with επειτα (then) following.

For the sins ( τον ). Only the article in the Greek with repetition of υπερ or of αμαρτιων.

When he offered up himself ( εαυτον ανενεγκας ). First aorist active participle of αναφερω, to offer up. See same idea in 9:14 where εαυτον προσηνεγκεν is used. Old verb for sacrifice to place on the altar (1Pe 2:5, 24).

After the law ( μετα τον νομον ). As shown in verses 11-19, and with an oath (Ps 110:4).

Son ( υιον ). As in Ps 2:7; Heb 1:2 linked with Ps 110:4.

Perfected ( τετελειωμενον ). Perfect passive participle of τελειοω. The process (2:10) was now complete. Imperfect and sinful as we are we demand a permanent high priest who is sinless and perfectly equipped by divine appointment and human experience (2:17f.; 5:1-10) to meet our needs, and with the perfect offering of himself as sacrifice.