UTN uW Translation Notes:

Hebrews 5 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

5. The Son as high priest (5:1–10:18) * Teaching: The Son becomes high priest (5:1–10) * Exhortation: Make sure to persevere! (5:11–6:12)Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 5:5–6, which are words from the Old Testament.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

High priest

In 5:1–4, the author explains what it means to be a high priest: (1) he must offer things to God, (2) he must be sympathetic to others because he also experiences weakness, and (3) he must be appointed by God. The author then applies these qualifications and duties to Jesus (5:5–10): (1) he was appointed by God, (2) he suffered like all humans do, and (3) he himself is the offering that brings eternal salvation. Make that your translation clearly draws connections between what high priests experience and do and what Jesus has experienced and done. (See: highpriest)

Melchizedek

In the entire Old Testament, only two passages mention Melchizedek: Psalm 110:4 and Genesis 14:18–20. In this chapter, the author quotes from the psalm, and in chapter 7 he will refer to Genesis. Melchizedek was a king and priest in the city of Salem. Abraham, the ancestor of the Israelites, met him and gave him a gift. Much later, the author of Psalm 110:4 writes how God appointed the king of Israel (David) to be a priest like Melchizedek. Since the author simply introduces Melchizedek here and saves his explanation for chapter 7, you also should simply refer to him here. (See: melchizedek)

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Metaphor with “milk” and “solid food”

In 5:12–14, the author uses “milk” to refer figuratively to basic teachings about God and about what is right and wrong. He uses “solid food” to refer figuratively to the more complex teachings. Since “infants” are the ones who drink “milk” in the author’s culture, he refers to those who only know the basic teachings as “infants.” Those who know complex teachings are “mature” adults who eat “solid food.” If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, if possible use a figure of speech that contrasts between adults and little children. (See: figs-exmetaphor)

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Jesus “learning obedience” and “being made perfect”

In 5:8–9, the author states that Jesus “learned obedience” and was “made perfect.” These statements do not mean that Jesus failed to obey and sometimes sinned before this time. Instead, “learning obedience” refers to fully understanding or experiencing what obedience means, and being “made perfect” refers to “perfect” qualifications for a position or office. So, Jesus fully experienced what it means to obey God, and God made him a “perfect” fit for the office of high priest. Translate these phrases in such a way that your readers will not think that Jesus went from being disobedient and sinful to obedient and perfect.