Hebrews 7:26 Such a high priest truly befits us--One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

◄ Hebrews 7:26 ►

New International Version
Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

New Living Translation
He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.

English Standard Version
For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

Berean Standard Bible
Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

Berean Literal Bible
For such a high priest indeed was fitting for us, holy, innocent, undefiled, having been separated from sinners, and having become higher than the heavens,

King James Bible
For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

New King James Version
For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;

New American Standard Bible
For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens;

NASB 1995
For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

NASB 1977
For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

Legacy Standard Bible
For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

Amplified Bible
It was fitting for us to have such a High Priest [perfectly adapted to our needs], holy, blameless, unstained [by sin], separated from sinners and exalted higher than the heavens;

Christian Standard Bible
For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

American Standard Version
For such a high priest became us, holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Contemporary English Version
Jesus is the high priest we need. He is holy and innocent and faultless, and not at all like us sinners. Jesus is honored above all beings in heaven,

English Revised Version
For such a high priest became us, holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We need a chief priest who is holy, innocent, pure, set apart from sinners, and who has the highest position in heaven.

Good News Translation
Jesus, then, is the High Priest that meets our needs. He is holy; he has no fault or sin in him; he has been set apart from sinners and raised above the heavens.

International Standard Version
We need such a high priest—one who is holy, innocent, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

Majority Standard Bible
Such a high priest truly befits us?One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

NET Bible
For it is indeed fitting for us to have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

New Heart English Bible
For such a high priest was indeed fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Webster's Bible Translation
For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Weymouth New Testament
Moreover we needed just such a High Priest as this--holy, guileless, undefiled, far removed from sinful men and exalted above the heavens;

World English Bible
For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
For also such a Chief Priest was fitting for us—holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from the sinners, and having become higher than the heavens,

Berean Literal Bible
For such a high priest indeed was fitting for us, holy, innocent, undefiled, having been separated from sinners, and having become higher than the heavens,

Young's Literal Translation
For such a chief priest did become us -- kind, harmless, undefiled, separate from the sinners, and become higher than the heavens,

Smith's Literal Translation
For such a chief priest became us, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and being higher than the heavens;

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Catholic Public Domain Version
For it was fitting that we should have such a High Priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted higher than the heavens.

New American Bible
It was fitting that we should have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens.

New Revised Standard Version
For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
For this is the kind of high priest proper for us; pure, without evil, and undefiled, far away from sin, and made higher than the heavens;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For because this Priest also was right for us: pure, without malice and without defilement, who is separate from sin and exalted higher than Heaven,

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
For such a high priest is suited to us, who is holy, harm less, undefiled, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens;

Godbey New Testament
For such a high priest was indeed appropriate unto us, holy, free from sin, undefiled, having been separated from the sinners, and being higher than the heavens;

Haweis New Testament
For such an high-priest was suitable to us, holy, inoffensive, spotless, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens:

Mace New Testament
and indeed we wanted an high priest of such a character, one that is holy, innocent, undefiled, one that is separated from sinful men, and exalted above the heavens; one who was under no necessity,

Weymouth New Testament
Moreover we needed just such a High Priest as this--holy, guileless, undefiled, far removed from sinful men and exalted above the heavens;

Worrell New Testament
For such a High Priest was befitting us, holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Worsley New Testament
For such an high-priest was meet for us, who was holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and higher than the heavens;

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

A Superior Priesthood
…25Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. 26Such a high priest truly befits us— One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Psalm 110:4
The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Isaiah 53:9
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.

1 Peter 2:22
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”

1 John 3:5
But you know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin.

Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.

Hebrews 9:14
how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!

Hebrews 10:10
And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:12
But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.

Hebrews 10:14
because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.

Matthew 5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Luke 1:35
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.

John 8:46
Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me?

John 14:30
I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming, and he has no claim on Me.

Treasury of Scripture

For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

such.

Hebrews 7:11
If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

Hebrews 8:1
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

Hebrews 9:23-26
It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these…

became.

Hebrews 2:10
For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Luke 24:26,46
Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? …

holy.

Hebrews 4:15
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 9:14
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Exodus 28:36
And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

made.

Hebrews 1:3
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Hebrews 4:14
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Hebrews 8:1
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

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Hebrews 7

1. Christ Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek;
11. and so far more excellent than the priests of Aaron's order.

Berean Study Bible

Such a high priest truly befits us
The phrase "such a high priest" refers to Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of the priestly role. The Greek word for "befits" (πρέπω, prepo) suggests something that is fitting or appropriate. In the context of the Jewish tradition, the high priest was a central figure in mediating between God and the people. Jesus, as our high priest, perfectly fits this role because He embodies the qualities that are necessary for a mediator who can bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity.

One who is holy
The term "holy" (ἅγιος, hagios) signifies being set apart for a sacred purpose. In the Old Testament, holiness was a key attribute of God and His requirements for His people. Jesus' holiness is intrinsic and perfect, unlike the ceremonial holiness of the Levitical priests. His holiness is essential for His role as a high priest because it ensures that He is without sin and can offer a perfect sacrifice on behalf of humanity.

innocent
The word "innocent" (ἄκακος, akakos) means free from evil or guile. This highlights Jesus' purity and moral integrity. In a world marred by sin, Jesus stands out as the only one who is truly innocent. His innocence is crucial for His priestly function because it means He is not subject to the same weaknesses and failings as other priests, who had to offer sacrifices for their own sins as well as for the sins of the people.

undefiled
"Undefiled" (ἀμίαντος, amiantos) indicates a state of being untainted or unpolluted. This term underscores the fact that Jesus was not corrupted by the world or by sin. In the Old Testament, priests had to maintain ritual purity to serve in the temple. Jesus' undefiled nature means that He is eternally pure and able to enter the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf, offering a sacrifice that is acceptable to God.

set apart from sinners
The phrase "set apart from sinners" (κεχωρισμένος ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν, kechōrismenos apo tōn hamartōlōn) emphasizes Jesus' distinctiveness from humanity in terms of His sinlessness. While He lived among sinners and fully participated in human life, He remained separate in His moral and spiritual purity. This separation is not one of distance or lack of empathy, but rather a necessary distinction that qualifies Him to intercede for us.

exalted above the heavens
"Exalted above the heavens" (ὑψηλότερος τῶν οὐρανῶν, hypsēloteros tōn ouranōn) speaks to Jesus' ascension and His supreme authority. After His resurrection, Jesus was exalted to the right hand of God, a position of power and honor. This exaltation confirms His victory over sin and death and His ongoing role as our intercessor. It assures believers that their high priest is not only capable but also sovereign, ruling over all creation and advocating for them from the highest place of authority.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(26) For such an high priest.--Better, For such a one also became us as (our) High Priest. Such a priest as has been portrayed was the High Priest that befitted us--no one less exalted could have met our necessities. The added words carry the description farther still. The thought of high priest immediately brings to mind the annual Day of Atonement, to which belonged the characteristic ministration of the high priest. As we read the following words we cannot doubt their direct reference to the ceremonial observances of that day.

Holy.--Not the word of Hebrews 3:1, but a word seldom used in the New Testament (except in quotations), though of frequent occurrence in the LXX. (as in Deuteronomy 33:8; Psalm 4:3; Psalm 16:10; Psalm 132:9; Psalm 132:16): the idea contained is that of holy purity. The next word may denote either freedom from malice or evil, or freedom from guile (Romans 16:18); the former meaning is more likely here. The three words, denoting personal purity and innocence and freedom from all pollution of sin, present the idea of which the ceremonial purity of the high priest was the type. Seven days before the Day of Atonement the high priest left his house and took up his abode in the Temple, that, thus separated from men and things unclean, he might when the day arrived be found free from all defilement; five washings and ten purifications were required of him on the day itself. . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 26. - For such a High Priest became us, holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens. Such a High Priest, it is said, for us was fitting. The same word ἔπρεπε was used in Hebrews 2:10, where the humiliation of Christ was spoken cf. It was there said that to make the Captain of our salvation perfect through suffering "became" God - was befitting to what we conceive of the Divine nature. It is now said that our High Priest's being such as is here described "became" us - was befitting to our state and needs. That he should be both human and superhuman was in all respects fitting - the one that he might be our sympathizing brother; the other that his intercession might avail. The further description of him in this verse is suggested by the qualifications of the Aaronic high priest, what they typified being realized in Christ. The high priest was by his consecration a holy person, ἅγιος (Leviticus 21:6, 8, etc.); he bore on his miter "Holiness to the Lord" (Exodus 39:30); he must be without personal blemish (Leviticus 21:17, etc.); he must keep himself continually from all ceremonial pollution (Leviticus 21. and 22.); he must purify himself by a sacrifice for himself and by special ablutions before entering the holy of holies (Leviticus 16.); when there, he was conceived as in God's presence, apart from the world of sinners outside. Christ was not only ἅγιος, but ὅσιος, personally and inwardly holy (Christians in the New Testament are all called ἅγιος, but not all ὁσίοι: for the use of which word, el. Titus 1:8; Acts 2:27; Acts 13:34, where it is applied to Christ, τὸν ὅσιον σου: and Revelation 15:4-16:5, where it is applied to God as his special attribute, ὅτι μόνος ὅσιος); Christ was actually free from evil (ἄκακος) and undefiled (ἀμίαντος). by any contact of sin; and as such he has passed to God's actual presence (cf. διελελύθοτα τοὺς οὐρανοὺς, Hebrews 4:14), separated forever from the world of sinners.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

Such
Τοιοῦτος (Toioutos)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5108: (including the other inflections); from toi and houtos; truly this, i.e. Of this sort (to denote character or individuality).

a high priest
ἀρχιερεύς (archiereus)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 749: High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.

truly
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

befits
ἔπρεπεν (eprepen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4241: It becomes, is fitting to, is right. Apparently a primary verb; to tower up, i.e. to be suitable or proper.

us—
ἡμῖν (hēmin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

[One who is] holy,
ὅσιος (hosios)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3741: Holy, pious, godly, beloved of God. Of uncertain affinity; properly, right, i.e. Hallowed.

innocent,
ἄκακος (akakos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 172: Innocent, guileless, simple. Not bad, i.e. innocent or unsuspecting.

undefiled,
ἀμίαντος (amiantos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 283: Undefiled, untainted, free from contamination. Unsoiled, i.e. pure.

set apart
κεχωρισμένος (kechōrismenos)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5563: From chora; to place room between, i.e. Part; reflexively, to go away.

from
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

sinners,
ἁμαρτωλῶν (hamartōlōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 268: Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

exalted
γενόμενος (genomenos)
Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

above
ὑψηλότερος (hypsēloteros)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular - Comparative
Strong's 5308: High, lofty. From hupsos; lofty.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

heavens.
οὐρανῶν (ouranōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

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NT Letters: Hebrews 7:26 For such a high priest was fitting (Heb. He. Hb)