5:3a–b

That is why: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as That is why refers back to 5:2b (“he himself is beset by weakness”). This statement in 5:2 implies that the OT high priests were too weak to overcome temptation. They also sinned, just as the people did. In 5:3 the author tells the result of the high priest being weak and sinful. He must also offer sacrifices for his own sins, in addition to the people’s sins.

Some other ways to translate this connection are:

and because of this (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
and for this reason (NET Bible)

In some languages it is helpful to make the connection more explicit. For example:

Because he is weak (New Century Version)
-or-
So, since he is weak ⌊and also sins⌋
-or-
And because he also sins

he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people: This statement indicates that the high priest also sinned (in addition to the people sinning). Because of that, the high priest had to offer sacrifices for his own sins, in addition to the sacrifices that he made for the sins of the people.

Some other ways to translate this statement are:

That is why he must offer sacrifices for his own sins and for the sins of others. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
So when he goes to offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people, he must also offer something for his own sins.

for the sins of the people: The phrase for the sins of the people indicates that he also offers sacrifices for the people’s sins. See the examples in the preceding note.

General Comment on 5:2–3

In 5:2 it may be more natural in some languages to change the order of clauses so that 5:2b comes at the beginning of the sentence. If you do this in your language, you may need to repeat 5:2b at the beginning of 5:3 to make that verse clear. For example:

2b Since he himself is weak, 2a he is able to be gentle with those who do not understand and who are doing wrong things. 3a And because 2b he is himself weak, 3a he must offer sacrifices 3b not only for the sins of the people 3a but also for his own sins. (New Century Version)

Translate 5:2–3 in the order that is most natural in your language.

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