Hebrews 5:4 net — And no one assumes this honor on his own initiative, but only when called to it by God, as in fact Aaron was.

NET Bible

"And no one assumes this honor on his own initiative, but only when called to it by God, as in fact Aaron was."

— Hebrews 5:4, NET Bible

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

Hebrews 5:4 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Hebrews 5 — Context

1

For every high priest is taken from among the people and appointed to represent them before God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.

2

He is able to deal compassionately with those who are ignorant and erring, since he also is subject to weakness,

3

and for this reason he is obligated to make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people.

4

And no one assumes this honor on his own initiative, but only when called to it by God, as in fact Aaron was.

5

So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming high priest, but the one who glorified him was God, who said to him,“You are my Son! Today I have fathered you,”

6

as also in another place God says,“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

7

During his earthly life Christ offered both requests and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death and he was heard because of his devotion.

Hebrews 5:4 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Hebrews 5:4 say?
Hebrews 5:4 in the NET Bible reads: “And no one assumes this honor on his own initiative, but only when called to it by God, as in fact Aaron was.”
Where is Hebrews 5:4 in the Bible?
Hebrews 5:4 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Hebrews, chapter 5, verse 4.
Who wrote Hebrews?
Hebrews is traditionally attributed to Anonymous. Authorship has been debated since the earliest centuries — candidates include Paul, Apollos, Barnabas, Luke, and Priscilla. The letter itself is anonymous and the most honest answer is that we do not know. It was written c. AD 60–70.
What is the book of Hebrews about?
Hebrews is a sermon-letter showing that everything in the Old Covenant — priests, sacrifices, the tabernacle — pointed to Jesus, who is "better" in every way. It calls a tired church to draw near with confidence, hold fast their hope, and run the race set before them.
What are the major themes of Hebrews?
Hebrews explores themes including Supremacy of Christ, New Covenant, Priesthood, Faith, Perseverance. These themes shape the meaning and context of Hebrews 5:4.
What translation should I read Hebrews 5:4 in?
Hebrews 5:4 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Hebrews 5:4?
Hebrews 5:4 reads (NET): “And no one assumes this honor on his own initiative, but only when called to it by God, as in fact Aaron was.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
GodsGoodBook logo

GodsGoodBook

Making God's Word accessible to everyone

Experience the Bible like never before with multiple translations, powerful search tools, and features to make God's Word personal to you. Completely free, forever.

Features

15+ Bible Translations
Powerful Search Tools
Highlight & Annotate
Share Verses
100% Free Forever
© 2025 GodsGoodBookVersion 1.8.2