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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Hebrews 2:17 - 2:17
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Wherefore (hothen). Old relative adverb (ho and enclitic then, whence of place (Mat 12:44), of source (1Jo 2:18), of cause as here and often in Hebrews (Heb 3:1; Heb 7:25; Heb 8:3; Heb 9:18; Heb 11:19).
It behoved him (ōpheilen). Imperfect active of opheilō, old verb to owe, money (Mat 18:28), service and love (Rom 13:8), duty or obligation as here and often in N.T. (Luk 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 (kata panta). 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 (Mar 1:13). Jesus fought through to victory over Satan.
To be made like unto his brethren (tois adelphois homoiōthēnai). First aorist passive infinitive of homoioō, old and common verb from homoios (like), as in Mat 6:8, with the associative instrumental case as here. Christ, our Elder Brother, resembles us in reality (Phi 2:7 “in the likeness of men”) as we shall resemble him in the end (Rom 8:29 “first-born among many brethren”; 1Jo 3:2 “like him”), where the same root is used as here (hoiōma, homoios). That he might be (hina genētai). Purpose clause with hina and the second aorist middle subjunctive of ginomai, to become, “that he might become.” That was only possible by being like his brethren in actual human nature.
Merciful and faithful high priest (eleēmōn kai pistos archiereus). The sudden use of archiereus here for Jesus has been anticipated by Heb 1:3; Heb 2:9 and see Heb 3:1. Jesus as the priest-victim is the chief topic of the Epistle. These two adjectives (eleēmōn and pistos) touch the chief points in the function of the high priest (Heb 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 (ta pros ton theon). The adverbial accusative of the article is a common idiom. See the very idiom ta pros ton theon in Exo 18:19; Rom 15:17. This use of pros we had already in Heb 1:7. On the day of atonement the high priest entered the holy of holies and officiated in behalf of the people.
To make propitiation for (eis to hilaskesthai). Purpose clause with eis to and the infinitive (common Greek idiom), here present indirect middle of hilaskomai, to render propitious to oneself (from hilaos, Attic hileōs, gracious). This idea occurs in the lxx (Psalm 65:3), but only here in N.T., though in Luk 18:13 the passive form (hilasthēti) occurs as in 2Ki 5:18. In 1Jo 2:2 we have hilasmos used of Christ (cf. Heb 7:25). The inscriptions illustrate the meaning in Heb 2:17 as well as the lxx.