Hebrews 2:17
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.
Study Note
Study Note
The declaration that Christ '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' establishes that the Incarnation was soteriologically necessary, not incidental. The word 'propitiation' (hilaskomai — to make atonement, to appease, to cleanse) carries both relational (turning away wrath) and cultic (cleansing sin) nuances, with scholarly debate over which predominates in Hebrews. The two attributes of the ideal high priest — 'merciful and faithful' — trace to the human experience of weakness and temptation that the Incarnation provided: he is merciful because he suffered, faithful because he endured. The verse is the theological hinge of Hebrews' high-priest argument, explaining why the divine Son could not become high priest without first becoming human.
Other Translations
Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
wherefore it did behove him in all things to be made like to the brethren, that he might become a kind and stedfast chief-priest in the things with God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people,
Because of this it was necessary for him to be made like his brothers in every way, so that he might be a high priest full of mercy and keeping faith in everything to do with God, making offerings for the sins of the people.
Cross References
And no sin offering, whereof any of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of the congregation to reconcile withal …
And he slew it; and Moses took the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about …
And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for …
And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
And one lamb out of the flock, out of two hundred, out of the fat pastures of Israel; for a …
And it shall be the prince’s part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, …
And so thou shalt do the seventh day of the month for every one that erreth, and for him that …
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an …
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being …
I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.