1
Πᾶς γὰρ ἀρχιερεὺς ἐξ ἀνθρώπων λαμβανόμενος ὑπὲρ ἀνθρώπων καθίσταται τὰ πρὸς τὸν θεόν, ἵνα προσφέρῃ δῶρά τε καὶ θυσίας ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν,
For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in the things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins,
Ground / definitionγάργάρ grounds the great-high-priest claim of 4:14–16 by stating the generic profile of the office; the high priest is defined by his manward derivation, Godward appointment, and sacrificial task.
ΠᾶςeveryNominativeattributive adjective (universal)πᾶς: 'every, all'; here distributive — stating what holds of the high priest as such.
γὰρforexplanatory/causal conjunctionγάρ: 'for'; introduces the grounding argument that defines the priestly office.
ἀρχιερεὺςhigh priestNominativesubjectἀρχιερεύς: 'high priest, chief priest' (ἀρχι- + ἱερεύς); the central title of Hebrews' Christology (cf. 4:14).
ἐξfrom amongpreposition + genitive (source/separation)
ἀνθρώπωνmenGenitiveobject of ἐξ (source — the priest's human stock)ἄνθρωπος: 'human being'; the priest is one of those he represents — a solidarity stressed in vv.2–3.
λαμβανόμενοςbeing takenPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λαμβάνωattributive participle (modifying ἀρχιερεύς)→ gnomic present (general truth)λαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; passive here — the priest is selected, not self-chosen (cf. v.4).
ὑπὲρon behalf ofpreposition + genitive (representation/advantage)ὑπέρ: 'on behalf of'; the keynote of representative, substitutionary mediation.
ἀνθρώπωνmenGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ (those represented)
καθίσταταιis appointedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · καθίστημιmain verb→ gnomic presentκαθίστημι: 'set, appoint, install in office'; the divine passive — God establishes the priest in his post.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantizes the prep. phrase) — accusative of respect
πρὸςpertaining topreposition + accusative (reference/relation)πρὸς τὸν θεόν: 'the things directed toward God' — the cultic sphere of the priest's mediation.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θεόνGodAccusativeobject of πρός (the Godward orientation)
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)ἵνα: 'in order that'; introduces the purpose of the appointment — the offering of sacrifice.
προσφέρῃhe may offerPres Act Subj 3 Sg · προσφέρωsubjunctive in purpose clause→ customary present (the standing function)προσφέρω: 'bring to, offer up' (πρός + φέρω); the technical verb for presenting sacrifice — pervasive in Hebrews.
δῶράgiftsAccusativedirect objectδῶρον: 'gift, offering'; in cultic usage the offering presented to God (often the bloodless gift).
τεbothenclitic conjunction (τε … καί, close coordination)τε: 'and'; τε … καί binds 'gifts and sacrifices' as a single comprehensive object.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
θυσίαςsacrificesAccusativedirect object (coordinate)θυσία: 'sacrifice'; the slain/blood offering — together with δῶρα, the whole sacrificial system.
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (purpose/reference)
ἁμαρτιῶνsinsGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ (sins as the object dealt with)ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the sacrifices are 'for sins' — the problem the cult addresses (cf. v.3; 10:1–4).
2
μετριοπαθεῖν δυνάμενος τοῖς ἀγνοοῦσιν καὶ πλανωμένοις, ἐπεὶ καὶ αὐτὸς περίκειται ἀσθένειαν,
being able to deal gently with the ignorant and erring, since he himself also is beset with weakness,
Qualification (compassion)asyndetonA second mark of the office, parallel to v.1's participles: the priest's capacity for measured sympathy, grounded (ἐπεί) in his own shared weakness.
μετριοπαθεῖνto deal gentlyPres Act Inf · μετριοπαθέωcomplementary infinitive (with δυνάμενος)→ customary presentμετριοπαθέω: 'feel moderately, show measured emotion' (μέτριος + πάθος); a Stoic-philosophical term for the mean between apathy and overindulgence — here, gentleness without condoning.
δυνάμενοςbeing ablePres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · δύναμαιattributive/predicate participle (modifying the priest)→ stative presentδύναμαι: 'be able, can'; the high priest's qualifying capacity for empathy.
τοῖςwith theDativearticle (substantizes the participles)
ἀγνοοῦσινignorantPres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · ἀγνοέωsubstantival participle (dat. of relation, object of μετριοπαθεῖν)→ customary presentἀγνοέω: 'be ignorant, not know'; OT sacrifice covered sins of inadvertence/ignorance (Lev 4; Num 15:22–31), not defiant sins.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πλανωμένοιςerringPres Pass Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · πλανάωsubstantival participle (coordinate dat.)→ customary presentπλανάω: 'lead astray, wander'; passive 'be led astray, go astray' — those who err through being deceived, a near-synonym hendiadys with ἀγνοοῦσιν.
ἐπεὶsincecausal conjunctionἐπεί: 'since, because'; gives the reason the human priest can sympathize — his own frailty.
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunctionκαί: here ascensive, 'even, also' — he himself, no less than they, is weak.
αὐτὸςhimselfNominativeintensive pronoun (subject, emphatic)
περίκειταιis besetPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · περίκειμαιmain verb (of the ἐπεί clause)→ stative presentπερίκειμαι: 'lie around, be encompassed'; with acc. 'have wrapped about oneself' — weakness clings to him like a garment (cf. Acts 28:20).
ἀσθένειανweaknessAccusativeaccusative of respect/retained object (with περίκειται)ἀσθένεια: 'weakness, infirmity'; moral and physical frailty — the very thing Christ shares without sin (4:15).
3
καὶ δι' αὐτὴν ὀφείλει, καθὼς περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ, οὕτως καὶ περὶ αὑτοῦ προσφέρειν περὶ ἁμαρτιῶν.
and because of it he is obligated, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
ConsequenceκαὶThe practical corollary of the priest's weakness: unlike Christ (7:27), he must offer sin-offerings for himself as well as for the people.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δι'because ofpreposition + accusative (cause)διά + acc.: 'on account of'; the weakness of v.2 is the cause of this obligation.
αὐτὴνitAccusativeobject of διά (refers to ἀσθένειαν)
ὀφείλειhe is obligatedPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀφείλωmain verb→ gnomic present (standing obligation)ὀφείλω: 'owe, be bound, must'; moral/legal obligation — the priest is duty-bound to atone for himself.
καθὼςascomparative conjunction (καθώς … οὕτως)καθώς: 'just as'; sets up the 'as … so also' comparison.
περὶforpreposition + genitive (reference/concern)περί + gen.: here virtually 'for' in the sin-offering sense (cf. περὶ ἁμαρτίας, the LXX term for the sin-offering).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
λαοῦpeopleGenitiveobject of περίλαός: 'people'; the covenant people Israel — those the priest represents (cf. Lev 16, the Day of Atonement).
οὕτωςsocorrelative adverb (apodosis of καθώς)οὕτως: 'thus, so'; completes the comparison — the same obligation falls on him.
καὶalsoadjunctive conjunction
περὶforpreposition + genitive (reference)
αὑτοῦhimselfGenitivereflexive pronoun (object of περί)ἑαυτοῦ (contracted αὑτοῦ): 'himself'; the rough breathing marks the reflexive — the priest's own sins are in view.
προσφέρεινto offerPres Act Inf · προσφέρωcomplementary infinitive (with ὀφείλει)→ customary presentπροσφέρω: 'offer up'; what he is obligated to do — present the sin-offering.
περὶforpreposition + genitive (purpose/reference)
ἁμαρτιῶνsinsGenitiveobject of περίἁμαρτία: 'sin'; περὶ ἁμαρτιῶν echoes the LXX label for the sin-offering.
4
καὶ οὐχ ἑαυτῷ τις λαμβάνει τὴν τιμήν, ἀλλὰ καλούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ, καθώσπερ καὶ Ἀαρών.
And no one takes the honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron also was.
Qualification (divine call)καὶThe third and decisive mark of the office, picked up for Christ in vv.5–6: the high priesthood is not self-assumed but received by divine call, with Aaron as the paradigm.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐχnotnegative adverbοὐ (οὐχ before rough breathing): the objective negation — categorically denies self-appointment.
ἑαυτῷfor himselfDativereflexive pronoun (dat. of advantage, emphatic by position)ἑαυτοῦ: 'himself'; fronted for emphasis — not on his own behalf does one seize the office.
τιςanyoneNominativeindefinite pronoun (subject)τις: 'someone, anyone'; with the negative, 'no one.'
λαμβάνειtakesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb→ gnomic present (general principle)λαμβάνω: 'take, seize'; here of arrogating an office to oneself — forbidden.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
τιμήνhonorAccusativedirect objectτιμή: 'honor, dignity, office'; the priestly dignity is a conferred honor, not a self-won prize.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction (strong contrast)ἀλλά: 'but'; the sharp antithesis — self-appointment versus divine call.
καλούμενοςbeing calledPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · καλέωparticiple of attendant circumstance (supply 'takes it when called')→ present (concurrent condition)καλέω: 'call, summon'; the divine passive — God's summons constitutes the priest (cf. v.5 of Christ).
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agency)ὑπό + gen.: marks the personal agent — God himself does the calling.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitiveagent (object of ὑπό)
καθώσπερjust ascomparative conjunction (emphatic καθώς + περ)καθώσπερ: 'exactly as'; the strengthened comparative — precisely on Aaron's pattern.
καὶalsoadjunctive conjunction
ἈαρώνAaronNominativenominative (subject of an implied 'was called') — indeclinableἈαρών: Aaron, Israel's first high priest, appointed directly by God (Exod 28:1; Num 16–17) — the archetype of the divinely called priest.
5
Οὕτως καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐχ ἑαυτὸν ἐδόξασεν γενηθῆναι ἀρχιερέα, ἀλλ' ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν· Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε·
So also Christ did not glorify himself to become high priest, but the One who said to him, 'You are my Son; today I have begotten you.'
Application to Christ (divine call)Οὕτως καὶThe principle of v.4 is now applied to Christ: he too did not self-appoint; the One who spoke Psalm 2:7 over him is the appointer. The main line of argument resumes.
Οὕτωςsoadverb (manner, drawing the parallel)οὕτως: 'thus, in this way'; ties Christ's case to the rule just stated.
καὶalsoadjunctive conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubjectΧριστός: 'Anointed One, Messiah'; here a name-title for Jesus, the great high priest.
οὐχnotnegative adverb
ἑαυτὸνhimselfAccusativereflexive pronoun (direct object, emphatic)ἑαυτοῦ: 'himself'; he did not exalt himself — parallel to ἑαυτῷ in v.4.
ἐδόξασενglorifyAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δοξάζωmain verb→ constative aoristδοξάζω: 'glorify, honor'; here = exalt to office — Christ did not arrogate the priestly glory.
γενηθῆναιto becomeAor Pass Inf · γίνομαιinfinitive of result/purpose (so as to become)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; the deponent-passive aorist — entering into the high-priestly status.
ἀρχιερέαhigh priestAccusativepredicate accusative (with γενηθῆναι)ἀρχιερεύς: 'high priest'; the office Christ did not seize but received.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; the contrast — 'but [he was glorified by] the One who said …' (the verb is supplied).
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes the participle)
λαλήσαςwho saidAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λαλέωsubstantival participle (subject of the implied verb — God the Father)→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak, say'; the speaker is God, who by Scripture conferred the honor on his Son.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of address)
αὐτόνhimAccusativeobject of πρός (Christ as addressee)
ΥἱόςSonNominativepredicate nominative (of the citation)υἱός: 'Son'; the quotation is Psalm 2:7 (LXX), the royal-enthronement decree applied to the Messiah.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
εἶarePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula of citation)→ stative present
σύyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
σήμερονtodayadverb (time)σήμερον: 'today'; the day of enthronement/begetting — read in Hebrews of the Son's exaltation (cf. 1:5).
γεγέννηκάhave begottenPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (of the citation)→ intensive perfect (abiding result)γεννάω: 'beget, bring forth'; the perfect frames the Son's begetting as a settled, enduring relationship.
σεyouAccusativedirect object
6
καθὼς καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει· Σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισέδεκ.
as he also says in another place, 'You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.'
Scriptural support (priesthood)καθὼςA second testimony, joined by καθώς, supplies the specifically priestly appointment: Psalm 110:4 names the Son a perpetual priest of Melchizedek's order — the text the homily will expound (ch. 7).
καθὼςascomparative conjunction (linking the two citations)καθώς: 'just as'; coordinates Ps 2:7 with Ps 110:4 as twin divine declarations.
καὶalsoadjunctive conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place/sphere)
ἑτέρῳanother (place)Dativesubstantival adjective (object of ἐν; supply 'place/passage')ἕτερος: 'another (of a different kind)'; idiomatic ἐν ἑτέρῳ = 'in another passage' of Scripture.
λέγειhe saysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (subject = God, continued from v.5)→ gnomic present (Scripture's abiding voice)λέγω: 'say'; the present tense treats Scripture as God's living, ongoing speech (cf. 3:7; 4:7).
ΣὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun, of the citation)
ἱερεὺςa priestNominativepredicate nominativeἱερεύς: 'priest'; Ps 110:4 (LXX 109:4) — the oracle of the perpetual Melchizedekian priesthood.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (extent of time)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
αἰῶναeverAccusativeobject of εἰς (εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα = 'forever')αἰών: 'age'; εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα = 'into the age, forever' — the permanence that distinguishes this priesthood from the Levitical (7:23–25).
κατὰafterpreposition + accusative (standard/norm)κατά + acc.: 'according to'; marks the pattern or order the priesthood conforms to.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
τάξινorderAccusativeobject of κατά (the order/rank conformed to)τάξις: 'order, arrangement, rank'; 'after the order of' = 'of the same kind/rank as' — not Aaronic but Melchizedekian.
Μελχισέδεκof MelchizedekGenitivegenitive of relationship/apposition (indeclinable)Μελχισέδεκ: Melchizedek, priest-king of Salem (Gen 14:18–20), without recorded genealogy — the type of an eternal, non-Levitical priesthood (ch. 7).
7
ὃς ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τῆς σαρκὸς αὐτοῦ δεήσεις τε καὶ ἱκετηρίας πρὸς τὸν δυνάμενον σῴζειν αὐτὸν ἐκ θανάτου μετὰ κραυγῆς ἰσχυρᾶς καὶ δακρύων προσενέγκας καὶ εἰσακουσθεὶς ἀπὸ τῆς εὐλαβείας,
who in the days of his flesh, having offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save him from death, and having been heard for his reverence,
Christ's earthly passion (qualification by suffering)ὃςA long relative clause launches the second qualification — solidarity with human weakness (vv.1–3). The two aorist participles (προσενέγκας, εἰσακουσθεὶς) set the scene for the main statement in v.8.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject; antecedent = Christ)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
ἡμέραιςdaysDativedat. of time (within which)ἡμέρα: 'day'; 'the days of his flesh' = the span of Jesus' earthly, mortal life.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
σαρκὸςfleshGenitiveattributive/possessive genitiveσάρξ: 'flesh'; here neutral — bodily, mortal human existence (cf. 2:14), the locus of his sympathetic suffering.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
δεήσειςprayersAccusativedirect object (of προσενέγκας)δέησις: 'petition, entreaty'; prayer arising from need — the urgent supplication of Gethsemane.
τεbothenclitic conjunction (τε … καί)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἱκετηρίαςsupplicationsAccusativedirect object (coordinate)ἱκετηρία: orig. the olive-branch of a suppliant, hence 'supplication'; vivid of earnest, imploring entreaty.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸνthe (one)Accusativearticle (substantizes the participle)
δυνάμενονablePres Mid Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · δύναμαιsubstantival participle (object of πρός — God)→ stative presentδύναμαι: 'be able'; God 'the One able to save' — the addressee of Christ's prayer.
σῴζεινto savePres Act Inf · σῴζωcomplementary infinitive (with δυνάμενον)→ customary/general presentσῴζω: 'save, rescue, preserve'; here 'out of death' — whether from dying or through/out of death is debated.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (of σῴζειν)
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation/source)ἐκ θανάτου: 'out of death' — deliverance through resurrection rather than mere exemption from dying.
θανάτουdeathGenitiveobject of ἐκθάνατος: 'death'; the reality Christ faced and was brought safely through.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
κραυγῆςcryingGenitiveobject of μετά (manner/accompaniment)κραυγή: 'shout, outcry'; the loud, anguished cry — echoing Gethsemane and the cross (cf. Ps 22).
ἰσχυρᾶςloudGenitiveattributive adjectiveἰσχυρός: 'strong, mighty'; here 'loud, vehement' — the intensity of the cry.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δακρύωνtearsGenitiveobject of μετά (coordinate)δάκρυον: 'tear'; the tears of the suffering Son — his full participation in human distress.
προσενέγκαςhaving offeredAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · προσφέρωantecedent adverbial participle (temporal/circumstantial)→ constative aoristπροσφέρω: 'offer up'; the priestly verb (v.1) now describes Christ presenting prayers — his own self-offering anticipated.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰσακουσθεὶςhaving been heardAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · εἰσακούωcoordinate adverbial participle (temporal/result)→ constative aoristεἰσακούω: 'hear, heed, answer favorably' (εἰς-intensive); his prayer was granted — God heard and delivered him.
ἀπὸfor / because ofpreposition + genitive (cause/ground)ἀπό + gen.: here causal, 'on account of' — he was heard because of his reverent submission, not freed from the cup.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
εὐλαβείαςreverenceGenitiveobject of ἀπό (ground of being heard)εὐλάβεια: 'godly fear, reverent awe, devout submission'; the pious caution that yields to God's will (cf. 12:28).
8
καίπερ ὢν υἱός, ἔμαθεν ἀφ' ὧν ἔπαθεν τὴν ὑπακοήν,
though he was a Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered,
Main assertion (he learned obedience)asyndetonThe grammatical heart of vv.7–10: the main verb ἔμαθεν, with a concessive ('though a Son') — divine sonship did not exempt him from the school of suffering. Note the wordplay ἔμαθεν / ἔπαθεν.
καίπερthoughconcessive particle (with participle)καίπερ: 'although'; the standard particle introducing a concessive participle.
ὢνbeingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · εἰμίconcessive participle (with καίπερ)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; 'though being a Son' — his sonship (1:2–5) stands in tension with his learning.
υἱόςa SonNominativepredicate nominative (complement of ὤν)υἱός: 'Son'; anarthrous and emphatic — Son though he was, he still learned obedience.
ἔμαθενhe learnedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · μανθάνωmain verb→ constative aoristμανθάνω: 'learn'; not learning to obey from disobedience, but learning by experience what obedience costs — the famed paronomasia ἔμαθεν/ἔπαθεν.
ἀφ'frompreposition + genitive (source)ἀπό + gen.: 'from'; the source of the learning — his sufferings.
ὧνthe things whichGenitiverelative pronoun (object of ἔπαθεν, attracted to gen.)ὅς: relative pronoun; case-attracted to its (omitted) antecedent — 'from [the things] which he suffered.'
ἔπαθενhe sufferedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πάσχωverb of the relative clause→ constative aoristπάσχω: 'suffer, experience'; the sufferings of the passion as the curriculum of obedience.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ὑπακοήνobedienceAccusativedirect object (of ἔμαθεν)ὑπακοή: 'obedience' (lit. 'hearing under'); the obedience unto death that perfected him as Savior (cf. Phil 2:8).
9
καὶ τελειωθεὶς ἐγένετο πᾶσιν τοῖς ὑπακούουσιν αὐτῷ αἴτιος σωτηρίας αἰωνίου,
and having been perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
Result of the passionκαὶThe outcome of vv.7–8: perfected through suffering, Christ becomes the saving cause for all who render the very obedience he himself learned.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τελειωθεὶςhaving been perfectedAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · τελειόωantecedent adverbial participle (temporal/causal)→ constative aoristτελειόω: 'complete, perfect, bring to the goal'; in Hebrews of Christ's qualification/consecration for his office through suffering (cf. 2:10; 7:28), not moral improvement.
ἐγένετοhe becameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become'; the decisive transition — he became the cause of salvation.
πᾶσινto allDativeattributive adjective (with τοῖς ὑπακούουσιν)πᾶς: 'all'; the salvation's scope — all, without restriction, who obey.
τοῖςthoseDativearticle (substantizes the participle)
ὑπακούουσινwho obeyPres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · ὑπακούωsubstantival participle (dat. of advantage)→ customary presentὑπακούω: 'obey, submit to'; cognate with ὑπακοή (v.8) — the saved are marked by obedient faith, mirroring the Son's own obedience.
αὐτῷhimDativedative object (of ὑπακούουσιν)
αἴτιοςsourceNominativepredicate nominative (complement of ἐγένετο)αἴτιος: 'cause, author, originator'; Christ is the efficient cause of salvation — a dignified Hellenistic term for a founder/benefactor.
σωτηρίαςof salvationGenitiveobjective/content genitive (with αἴτιος)σωτηρία: 'salvation, deliverance'; the great salvation of 2:3, now grounded in the perfected priest.
αἰωνίουeternalGenitiveattributive adjectiveαἰώνιος: 'eternal, everlasting'; the salvation matches the eternal priesthood (v.6) — final and unending (cf. 9:12).
10
προσαγορευθεὶς ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ ἀρχιερεὺς κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισέδεκ.
having been designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Divine designation (inclusio with v.6)asyndetonA closing participle that seals the section: God himself addressed/named him high priest of Melchizedek's order — rejoining the Psalm 110:4 theme of v.6 and setting up the digression and ch. 7.
προσαγορευθεὶςhaving been designatedAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · προσαγορεύωadverbial participle (attendant circumstance / temporal)→ constative aoristπροσαγορεύω: 'address, salute, designate by name' (a NT hapax); the formal proclamation by which God named him high priest.
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agency)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitiveagent (object of ὑπό)θεός: God; again the appointer (cf. v.4–5) — the priesthood is wholly God's act.
ἀρχιερεὺςhigh priestNominativepredicate nominative (complement of προσαγορευθείς)ἀρχιερεύς: 'high priest'; the title now divinely conferred and confirmed.
κατὰafterpreposition + accusative (standard/norm)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
τάξινorderAccusativeobject of κατάτάξις: 'order, rank'; resuming v.6 — Melchizedek's order, the theme to be developed in ch. 7.
Μελχισέδεκof MelchizedekGenitivegenitive of apposition/relationship (indeclinable)Μελχισέδεκ: Melchizedek (Gen 14; Ps 110:4); the name forms an inclusio with v.6, bracketing the Christ-section.
11
Περὶ οὗ πολὺς ἡμῖν ὁ λόγος καὶ δυσερμήνευτος λέγειν, ἐπεὶ νωθροὶ γεγόνατε ταῖς ἀκοαῖς.
Concerning this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
Transition to digression (rebuke)Περὶ οὗThe mention of Melchizedek triggers a pastoral excursus (5:11–6:20). The difficulty lies not in the subject but in the hearers — ἐπεί grounds it in their dullness.
Περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
οὗthis / whomGenitiverelative pronoun (object of περί; antecedent Melchizedek or the whole theme)ὅς: relative pronoun; the antecedent may be Melchizedek (masc.) or, neuter, 'this matter' — the priesthood theme.
πολὺςmuchNominativepredicate adjective (of ὁ λόγος)πολύς: 'much, great'; 'the word [to say] is much' — there is a great deal to expound.
ἡμῖνfor usDativedat. of possession ('we have')ἡμῖν: 'to/for us'; the authorial 'we' — the homilist's much-to-say.
ὁtheNominativearticle
λόγοςword / discourseNominativesubject (of an implied 'is')λόγος: 'word, account, discourse'; here 'what there is to say' on the subject.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δυσερμήνευτοςhard to explainNominativepredicate adjective (coordinate with πολύς)δυσερμήνευτος: 'hard to interpret/explain' (δυσ- + ἑρμηνεύω, cf. 'hermeneutics'); a NT hapax — the difficulty is in the telling, given the audience.
λέγεινto tellPres Act Inf · λέγωepexegetical infinitive (qualifying δυσερμήνευτος)→ customary/general presentλέγω: 'say, tell'; specifies the respect in which it is difficult — 'hard to put into words.'
ἐπεὶsincecausal conjunctionἐπεί: 'since, because'; gives the reason for the difficulty — the readers' condition.
νωθροὶdull / sluggishNominativepredicate adjective (with γεγόνατε)νωθρός: 'sluggish, dull, lazy'; of slow comprehension — recurs at 6:12 ('do not be sluggish').
γεγόνατεyou have becomePerf Act Indic 2 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (of the ἐπεί clause)→ intensive perfect (a settled present state)γίνομαι: 'become'; the perfect implies a regression — they have lapsed into and now remain in dullness.
ταῖςin theDativearticle
ἀκοαῖςhearingDativedat. of respect (dull with respect to hearing)ἀκοή: 'hearing, the faculty/act of hearing'; 'dull in your hearing' — slow to take in instruction.
12
καὶ γὰρ ὀφείλοντες εἶναι διδάσκαλοι διὰ τὸν χρόνον, πάλιν χρείαν ἔχετε τοῦ διδάσκειν ὑμᾶς τινὰ τὰ στοιχεῖα τῆς ἀρχῆς τῶν λογίων τοῦ θεοῦ, καὶ γεγόνατε χρείαν ἔχοντες γάλακτος, οὐ στερεᾶς τροφῆς.
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have become those who need milk, not solid food.
Evidence of the dullnessκαὶ γὰρκαὶ γάρ ('for indeed') substantiates the charge of v.11: their arrested development is shown by their needing remedial instruction and milk rather than feeding others solid food.
καὶand / indeedconjunction (καὶ γάρ = 'for indeed')
γὰρforexplanatory conjunctionκαὶ γάρ: 'for indeed, for in fact'; introduces the proof of their dullness.
ὀφείλοντεςowing / oughtPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ὀφείλωconcessive participle ('though you ought')→ stative presentὀφείλω: 'owe, be obligated'; concessive here — they were under obligation to have advanced.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίcomplementary infinitive (with ὀφείλοντες)→ stative present
διδάσκαλοιteachersNominativepredicate nominative (with εἶναι)διδάσκαλος: 'teacher'; by maturity's clock they should be instructing others, not being re-taught.
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)διά + acc.: 'on account of'; the time elapsed since their conversion is the measure of expected progress.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
χρόνονtimeAccusativeobject of διάχρόνος: 'time, period'; 'because of the time' = given how long it has been.
πάλινagainadverb (repetition)πάλιν: 'again'; the damning word — they need re-teaching of what they once learned.
χρείανneedAccusativedirect object (idiom χρείαν ἔχω, 'have need')χρεία: 'need'; χρείαν ἔχετε = 'you have need.'
ἔχετεyou havePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἔχωmain verb→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, hold'; in the idiom χρείαν ἔχω, 'to need.'
τοῦforGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive, gen. of content)
διδάσκεινto teachPres Act Inf · διδάσκωarticular infinitive (content of the need)→ customary presentδιδάσκω: 'teach, instruct'; the articular infinitive specifies what they need — basic instruction over again.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative (object taught — of διδάσκειν)
τινὰsomeoneAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive (indefinite)τις: 'someone'; the unnamed teacher who must instruct them anew.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
στοιχεῖαelementsAccusativedirect object (taught content — second object of διδάσκειν)στοιχεῖον: 'rudiment, basic element, ABC'; orig. letters of the alphabet — the elementary first principles.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἀρχῆςbeginningGenitiveattributive genitive (the rudiments belonging to the beginning)ἀρχή: 'beginning, first stage'; 'the elements of the beginning' = the most basic starting-point teaching (cf. 6:1).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
λογίωνoraclesGenitiveobjective/content genitiveλόγιον: 'oracle, divine utterance'; the authoritative sayings of God in Scripture (cf. Rom 3:2; Acts 7:38).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive/subjective genitive
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
γεγόνατεyou have becomePerf Act Indic 2 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (periphrastic with ἔχοντες)→ intensive perfect (resultant state)γίνομαι: 'become'; again the perfect of regression (cf. v.11) — they have lapsed into infancy.
χρείανneedAccusativedirect object (idiom, with ἔχοντες)
ἔχοντεςhavingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἔχωparticiple (periphrastic with γεγόνατε)→ stative presentἔχω: 'have'; periphrastic 'you have become having need' = 'you have come to need.'
γάλακτοςof milkGenitivegenitive (object of χρείαν, 'need of')γάλα: 'milk'; the metaphor for elementary teaching, fit for infants (cf. 1 Cor 3:2; 1 Pet 2:2).
οὐnotnegative adverb
στερεᾶςsolidGenitiveattributive adjective (with τροφῆς)στερεός: 'firm, solid, hard'; the contrast — solid food for the grown (cf. v.14).
τροφῆςfoodGenitivegenitive (the food they do NOT yet take)τροφή: 'food, nourishment'; the deeper teaching the mature can digest.
13
πᾶς γὰρ ὁ μετέχων γάλακτος ἄπειρος λόγου δικαιοσύνης, νήπιος γάρ ἐστιν·
For everyone who partakes of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is an infant;
Explanation of the metaphor (milk)γάργάρ unpacks the milk image: the milk-fed believer is morally and doctrinally inexperienced — the reason being (γάρ) that he is still an infant.
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubstantival adjective (subject; with the articular participle)πᾶς: 'every, everyone'; the general principle — true of all in this category.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunctionγάρ: 'for'; grounds the milk/solid-food contrast just drawn.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes the participle)
μετέχωνwho partakesPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · μετέχωsubstantival participle (subject phrase)→ customary presentμετέχω: 'share in, partake of' (μετά + ἔχω); takes a genitive object — 'feeds on milk.'
γάλακτοςof milkGenitivegenitive object (of μετέχων)γάλα: 'milk'; here the diet of the spiritually immature.
ἄπειροςunskilled / inexperiencedNominativepredicate adjective (with implied ἐστιν)ἄπειρος: 'inexperienced, unacquainted' (alpha-privative + πεῖρα, 'trial, experience'); a NT hapax — without practical skill in.
λόγουin the wordGenitivegenitive (of reference, with ἄπειρος)λόγος: 'word, message, teaching'; here the doctrine/teaching of righteousness.
δικαιοσύνηςof righteousnessGenitiveattributive/objective genitive (qualifying λόγου)δικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; whether ethical (right conduct) or the message of right standing — likely the mature teaching that produces righteous discernment (cf. v.14).
νήπιοςan infantNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐστιν)νήπιος: 'infant, babe'; lit. 'non-speaking' (νη- + ἔπος) — the spiritually undeveloped, opposite of τέλειος (v.14).
γάρforexplanatory conjunction (postpositive)γάρ: 'for'; gives the reason for the inexperience — infancy.
ἐστινhe isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
14
τελείων δέ ἐστιν ἡ στερεὰ τροφή, τῶν διὰ τὴν ἕξιν τὰ αἰσθητήρια γεγυμνασμένα ἐχόντων πρὸς διάκρισιν καλοῦ τε καὶ κακοῦ.
but solid food is for the mature, those who because of practice have their faculties trained for the distinguishing of both good and evil.
Contrast: the mature (solid food)δέδέ completes the antithesis (milk vs. solid food): maturity is shown not by mere age but by trained moral perception — the goal the rebuke summons them toward, leading into 6:1.
τελείωνfor the matureGenitivepredicate/possessive genitive (fronted, emphatic — 'belongs to the mature')τέλειος: 'complete, mature, full-grown' (from τέλος, 'goal/end'); the adult opposite of νήπιος — sometimes 'the perfect/initiated.'
δέbutadversative conjunction (postpositive)δέ: 'but'; marks the contrast with the milk-fed infant of v.13.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ἡtheNominativearticle
στερεὰsolidNominativeattributive adjective (with τροφή)στερεός: 'solid, firm'; the substantial teaching for the grown (cf. v.12).
τροφήfoodNominativesubjectτροφή: 'food, nourishment'; the mature doctrine — e.g. the Melchizedek exposition to come.
τῶνof thoseGenitivearticle (substantizes ἐχόντων; in apposition to τελείων)
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)διά + acc.: 'on account of'; the cause of their trained discernment — habitual practice.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἕξινpractice / habitAccusativeobject of διά (cause)ἕξις: 'habit, settled condition, trained capacity' (from ἔχω; cf. Aristotle's moral 'habituation'); maturity formed by repeated exercise.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
αἰσθητήριαfaculties / sensesAccusativedirect object (of ἐχόντων; subject of γεγυμνασμένα in the object-complement)αἰσθητήριον: 'organ of perception, faculty of discernment' (cf. 'aesthetic'); a NT hapax — the moral/spiritual senses.
γεγυμνασμέναtrainedPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Pl Neut · γυμνάζωobject-complement participle (predicate to αἰσθητήρια)→ intensive perfect (settled, trained condition)γυμνάζω: 'train, exercise' (cf. 'gymnasium'); athletic imagery — faculties drilled like an athlete's body; the perfect marks the abiding trained state.
ἐχόντωνhavingPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · ἔχωsubstantival participle (gen., in apposition to τελείων)→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, hold'; 'those having their faculties trained' — the description of the mature.
πρὸςforpreposition + accusative (purpose/goal)πρός + acc.: 'with a view to'; the purpose of the training — discernment.
διάκρισινdistinguishingAccusativeobject of πρός (purpose)διάκρισις: 'discrimination, discernment' (διά + κρίνω); the capacity to tell apart — the hallmark of maturity.
καλοῦof goodGenitiveobjective genitive (with διάκρισιν)καλός: 'good, noble, fine'; the morally good, to be discerned from its opposite.
τεbothenclitic conjunction (τε … καί)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κακοῦof evilGenitiveobjective genitive (coordinate)κακός: 'bad, evil'; the morally evil — maturity is proven in discerning good from evil.