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Hebrews 4

Heb. 4:15 KJV (With Strong’s)

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15
For
gar (Greek #1063)
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
KJV usage: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Pronounce: gar
Origin: a primary particle
we have
echo (Greek #2192)
(used in certain tenses only) a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)
KJV usage: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
Pronounce: ekh'-o
Origin: σχέω (skheh'-o)
not
ou (Greek #3756)
the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not
KJV usage: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also 3364, 3372.
Pronounce: oo
Origin: οὐκ (ook), and (before an aspirate) οὐχ (ookh) a primary word
an high priest which
archiereus (Greek #749)
the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest
KJV usage: chief (high) priest, chief of the priests.
Pronounce: ar-khee-er-yuce'
Origin: from 746 and 2409
cannot
dunamai (Greek #1410)
to be able or possible
KJV usage: be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.
Pronounce: doo'-nam-ahee
Origin: of uncertain affinity
me (Greek #3361)
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
KJV usage: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also 3362, 3363, 3364, 3372, 3373, 3375, 3378.
Pronounce: may
Origin: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial)
be touchedq with the feeling of
sumpatheo (Greek #4834)
to feel "sympathy" with, i.e. (by implication) to commiserate
KJV usage: have compassion, be touched with a feeling of.
Pronounce: soom-path-eh'-o
Origin: from 4835
our
hemon (Greek #2257)
of (or from) us
KJV usage: our (company), us, we.
Pronounce: hay-mone'
Origin: genitive case plural of 1473
infirmities
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
astheneia (Greek #769)
feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty
KJV usage: disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness.
Pronounce: as-then'-i-ah
Origin: from 772
; but
de (Greek #1161)
but, and, etc.
KJV usage: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Pronounce: deh
Origin: a primary particle (adversative or continuative)
was
peirazo (Greek #3985)
to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline
KJV usage: assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try.
Pronounce: pi-rad'-zo
Origin: from 3984
in
kata (Greek #2596)
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
KJV usage: about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
Pronounce: kat-ah'
Origin: a primary particle
all points
pas (Greek #3956)
apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole
KJV usage: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
Pronounce: pas
Origin: including all the forms of declension
tempted
peirazo (Greek #3985)
to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline
KJV usage: assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try.
Pronounce: pi-rad'-zo
Origin: from 3984
like as
kata (Greek #2596)
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
KJV usage: about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
Pronounce: kat-ah'
Origin: a primary particle
homoiotes (Greek #3665)
resemblance
KJV usage: like as, similitude.
Pronounce: hom-oy-ot'-ace
Origin: from 3664
we are, yet without
choris (Greek #5565)
at a space, i.e. separately or apart from (often as preposition)
KJV usage: beside, by itself, without.
Pronounce: kho-rece'
Origin: adverb from 5561
r sin
hamartia (Greek #266)
a sin (properly abstract)
KJV usage: offence, sin(-ful).
Pronounce: ham-ar-tee'-ah
Origin: from 264
.
q
Hos. 11:8• 8How shall I give thee over, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee up, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? My heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. (Hos. 11:8)
r
1 Peter 2:22• 22who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth; (1 Peter 2:22)
;
1 John 3:5• 5And ye know that *he* has been manifested that he might take away our sins; and in him sin is not. (1 John 3:5)

More on:

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High Priest,
Priest; Priesthood,
Sin,
To Tempt; Temptation

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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we have.
Heb. 5:2• 2being able to exercise forbearance towards the ignorant and erring, since he himself also is clothed with infirmity; (Heb. 5:2)
;
Ex. 23:9• 9And the stranger thou shalt not oppress; for ye know the spirit of the stranger, for ye have been strangers in the land of Egypt. (Ex. 23:9)
;
Isa. 53:4‑5• 4Surely *he* hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; and we, we did regard him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
 5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. (Isa. 53:4‑5)
;
Hos. 11:8• 8How shall I give thee over, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee up, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? My heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. (Hos. 11:8)
;
Matt. 8:16‑17• 16And when the evening was come, they brought to him many possessed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all that were ill;
 17so that that should be fulfilled which was spoken through Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities and bore our diseases. (Matt. 8:16‑17)
;
Matt. 12:20• 20a bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, until he bring forth judgment unto victory; (Matt. 12:20)
;
Phil. 2:7‑8• 7but emptied himself, taking a bondman's form, taking his place in the likeness of men;
 8and having been found in figure as a man, humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, and that the death of the cross. (Phil. 2:7‑8)
tempted.
Heb. 2:17‑18• 17Wherefore it behoved him in all things to be made like to his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people;
 18for, in that himself has suffered, being tempted, he is able to help those that are being tempted. (Heb. 2:17‑18)
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Luke 4:2• 2forty days, tempted of the devil; and in those days he did not eat anything, and when they were finished he hungered. (Luke 4:2)
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Luke 22:28• 28But *ye* are they who have persevered with me in my temptations. (Luke 22:28)
yet.
Heb. 7:26• 26For such a high priest became us, holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and become higher than the heavens: (Heb. 7:26)
;
Isa. 53:9• 9And men appointed his grave with the wicked, but he was with the rich in his death, because he had done no violence, neither was there guile in his mouth. (Isa. 53:9)
;
John 8:46• 46Which of you convinces me of sin? If I speak truth, why do ye not believe me? (John 8:46)
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2 Cor. 5:21• 21Him who knew not sin he has made sin for us, that *we* might become God's righteousness in him. (2 Cor. 5:21)
;
1 Peter 2:22• 22who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth; (1 Peter 2:22)
;
1 John 3:5• 5And ye know that *he* has been manifested that he might take away our sins; and in him sin is not. (1 John 3:5)
• But the cloud of the direction, however precious, is not enough, nor the warning or winning and cheering voices of the silver trumpets. We need a living Person, inflexible for God's glory, unerring as to God's will, unfailing in gracious power for us in our weakness and exposure; and all this we have, and incalculably more, in Jesus the Son of God, passed through the heavens as a great High Priest. (“Hebrews 4:14-16” by W. Kelly)
• But here He lived, suffered, and died, knowing each and all as no one else ever did, or can, but Jesus the Son of God. Hence He was fitted, being man, and of unequallable experience. He is able, as none else, to sympathize, not with our sins which as saints we dare not seek but most heartily repudiate, but with our infirmities. (“Hebrews 4:14-16” by W. Kelly)
• It is not sins or failures excepted, but "apart from sin." We have evil temptations from within, from fallen humanity; Christ had none. This was absolutely incompatible with His holy person. By a miracle He was even as to humanity exempt from taint of evil, as no one ever was since the fall. And it is of these holy temptations that the Epistle to the Hebrews treats, not of our unholy ones. The Epistle of James distinguishes them very definitely in chap. 1. Compare ver. 2, 12, on the one hand, and ver. 13-19 on the other. (“Hebrews 4:14-16” by W. Kelly)
• He was tempted in every way, apart from sin. Sin had no part in it at all. (“Hebrews 4” by J.N. Darby)
• He experienced the trials a saint has to go through more fully than any of ourselves; and His heart, free and full of love, can entirely sympathize with us, according to His experience of ill, and according to the glorious liberty which He now has, to provide and care for it. (“Hebrews 4” by J.N. Darby)
• Infirmities are the weaknesses that belong to us as being in the body with its varied needs and liability to sickness and accident. Infirmity is not sin, though it may lead to sin. Hunger is an infirmity; to grumble because of hunger would be sin. (“The Rest to Which the Wilderness Leads: Hebrews 4:1-11” by H. Smith)
• The believer has to meet two forms of temptation: the temptations from the trials without and the temptations from sin within….It is the first form of temptation that comes before us in this passage in Hebrews—the temptation to turn from the path of obedience to the Word of God. (“The Rest to Which the Wilderness Leads: Hebrews 4:1-11” by H. Smith)

J. N. Darby Translation

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15
For we have not a high priest not able to sympathise with our infirmities, but tempted in all things in like mannerh, sin apart.

JND Translation Notes

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h
Or "according to [our] likeness," which has substantially the same sense, "according to the likeness of the way in which we are tempted."

W. Kelly Translation

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15
For we have not a high priest unable to sympathize with our infirmities, but tempted as he hath been in all things alike aparta from sin.

WK Translation Notes

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a
Here the introduction of the word "yet" into the clause is a very great blemish, calculated to ruin the sense. If you read it without that addition, you may apprehend what the Holy Spirit means a great deal more distinctly and correctly. As it stands now in the KJV, and also in the work of the Revisers too, the deduction is that the Lord was tempted, but never yielded, never sinned. This is not at all the point. Of course, it is true that Christ never did sin; but it is far below the truth here intended. The true sense is that He has been in all things tempted in like sort, sin excepted. He never had our sinful temptations from a fallen nature such as {vi 30280-30282}{/vi} speaks of. For this He suffered on the cross, and now sympathizes with us in our dangers, difficulties, and weakness. He knew these trials incomparably more than we; but there was no sin in Him, no evil proclivities in His nature as in ours.