Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

HEBREWS 5:2KJV
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Hebrews 5:2 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 5:2 mean?

Hebrews 5:2 describes how a high priest is able to show gentle understanding toward people who are ignorant or have gone astray, because he himself is also weak and subject to human frailty. The verse highlights the shared human experience between the priest and those he serves.

The writer of Hebrews is explaining to Jewish Christians how the high priest’s role involved compassion, not just ritual. The verse points out that the high priest, being human, understands the struggles and failings of others because he deals with his own weaknesses. This sets up a comparison to Jesus, who is later described as the perfect high priest.

The Greek behind Hebrews 5:2

  • "compassion" (μετριοπαθέω, metriopatheō): This Greek word means to deal gently or to have a balanced, understanding attitude toward others’ failings. It is stronger than just feeling sorry; it suggests real empathy rooted in shared experience.
  • "ignorant" (ἀγνοέω, agnoeō): This word refers to people who act without knowledge or understanding, not just those who make mistakes on purpose. The verse emphasizes that the high priest’s compassion is especially for those who sin out of ignorance.
  • "out of the way" (πλανᾶν, planaō): The Greek here means to wander or go astray, like someone who has lost their path. It highlights that the priest’s compassion extends to those who have drifted from what is right, not just those who are uninformed.
  • "compassed" (περίκειμαι, perikeimai): This word means to be surrounded or wrapped up in something. Here, it describes the high priest as being surrounded by "infirmity" (ἀσθένεια, astheneia), meaning weakness or frailty, which underlines his solidarity with those he serves.

Why Hebrews 5:2 matters

  • Hebrews 5:2 clarifies that the high priest’s role was not distant or judgmental, but deeply empathetic, because he personally experienced human weakness.
  • This verse helps readers understand why the high priest could intercede for others: his own struggles made him gentle toward those who failed.
  • The verse prepares readers for the argument that Jesus, though sinless, shares this compassionate understanding, making him the ultimate high priest in the chapters that follow.

Where else these words appear

“he” Greek G4029 · used in 5 verses

  • Mark 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
  • Luke 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
  • Acts 28:20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

“ignorant” Greek G50 · used in 21 verses

  • Mark 9:32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
  • Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
  • 2 Corinthians 1:8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

“infirmity” Greek G769 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
  • Acts 28:9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:
  • 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

“for” Greek G1893 · used in 26 verses

  • Matthew 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
  • Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.