Οὕτω καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐχ ἑαυτὸν ἐδόξασε γενηθῆναι ἀρχιερέα, ἀλλ’ ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν· υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε· (Hebrews 5:5)
Literal English Translation
So also the Anointed One did not glorify himself to become high priest, but the one who spoke to him said: “You are my Son, today I have begotten you.”
Not Self-Glorified, But God-Spoken
The phrase opens with οὕτω καὶ (“so also”), drawing an analogy to the preceding priestly principle: no one takes the honor upon himself. ἐδόξασε is aorist active indicative of δοξάζω (“to glorify, honor”), here with a reflexive pronoun ἑαυτὸν. In Classical Greek, δοξάζω more often means “to form an opinion” or “to imagine”; in Koine, particularly in Johannine and Hebrews usage, it has taken on the theological sense of being exalted or honored in divine roles. This opening line states plainly that Christ’s role is not self-appointed.
Priesthood and Passive Appointment
γενηθῆναι ἀρχιερέα – The infinitive γενηθῆναι (aorist passive of γίνομαι) means “to be made, to become.” It signals passive reception of office. The noun ἀρχιερεύς (high priest) is central to the epistle’s argument. In Classical Greek, priesthood was often inherited or assigned by civic law. Hebrews reshapes this—Christ becomes high priest through divine proclamation, not tribal descent or personal aspiration.
The One Who Spoke: Quotation from Psalm 2:7
- ἀλλ’ ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν – “but the one who spoke to him.” λαλέω in Koine often conveys divine speech (as in the LXX). πρὸς αὐτόν indicates direct address—personal and formal, like covenantal decrees in prophetic literature.
- υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε – Quoting Psalm 2:7 (LXX), this statement asserts divine sonship and enthronement. In Classical texts, such direct speech often appears in drama or royal proclamations. The perfect verb γεγέννηκα (from γεννάω, “I have begotten”) marks a completed action with ongoing status—kingly investiture, not biological beginning.
Mirrored Clauses and Balance
| Clause | Key Verb | Voice | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| οὐχ ἑαυτὸν ἐδόξασε | ἐδόξασε | Active | Negates self-glorification |
| γενηθῆναι ἀρχιερέα | γενηθῆναι | Passive | Emphasizes divine initiative |
| ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε | γεγέννηκα | Perfect active | Confers divine identity and mission |
Scriptural Reverberation
The quotation of Psalm 2:7 grounds Christ’s priesthood in Scripture. In Classical Greek, royal adoption language appears in rhetoric and inscriptions (e.g., Alexander’s divine filiation in Hellenistic propaganda). But here the tone is theological: not myth or metaphor, but fulfillment. The use of σήμερον (“today”) highlights an eschatological “now”—a moment of appointment echoing eternity.
Closing Reflection
The language in this verse blends courtroom, liturgy, and Scripture. Christ’s honor is not claimed but conferred. The verbs are carefully chosen: not acting for oneself, but receiving from Another. And the climax—“You are my Son”—rings not just with literary force, but with the voice of divine enthronement. It is Greek, yes—but it is Greek in the service of revelation.
