Hebrews 5:4
New International Version
And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.

New Living Translation
And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was.

English Standard Version
And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

Berean Standard Bible
No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.

Berean Literal Bible
And no one takes upon himself the honor, but rather being called by God, just as Aaron also.

King James Bible
And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

New King James Version
And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.

New American Standard Bible
And no one takes the honor for himself, but receives it when he is called by God, just as Aaron also was.

NASB 1995
And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was.

NASB 1977
And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was.

Legacy Standard Bible
And no one takes this honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was.

Amplified Bible
And besides, one does not appropriate for himself the honor [of being high priest], but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.

Christian Standard Bible
No one takes this honor on himself; instead, a person is called by God, just as Aaron was.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
No one takes this honor on himself; instead, a person is called by God, just as Aaron was.

American Standard Version
And no man taketh the honor unto himself, but when he is called of God, even as was Aaron.

Contemporary English Version
But no one can have the honor of being a high priest simply by wanting to be one. Only God can choose a priest, and God is the one who chose Aaron.

English Revised Version
And no man taketh the honour unto himself, but when he is called of God, even as was Aaron.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
No one takes this honor for himself. Instead, God calls him as he called Aaron.

Good News Translation
No one chooses for himself the honor of being a high priest. It is only by God's call that a man is made a high priest--just as Aaron was.

International Standard Version
No one takes this honor upon himself but he is called to it by God, just as Aaron was.

Majority Standard Bible
No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as 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.

New Heart English Bible
Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by God, just like Aaron was.

Webster's Bible Translation
And no man taketh this honor to himself, but he that is called by God, as was Aaron:

Weymouth New Testament
And no one takes this honourable office upon himself, but only accepts it when called to it by God, as Aaron was.

World English Bible
Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by God, just like Aaron was.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and no one takes the honor to himself, but he who is called by God, as also Aaron.

Berean Literal Bible
And no one takes upon himself the honor, but rather being called by God, just as Aaron also.

Young's Literal Translation
and no one to himself doth take the honour, but he who is called by God, as also Aaron:

Smith's Literal Translation
And not any takes this honour to himself; but the called of God, as also Aaron.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Neither doth any man take the honour to himself, but he that is called by God, as Aaron was.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Neither does anyone take up this honor himself, but rather he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.

New American Bible
No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

New Revised Standard Version
And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And no man takes this honor unto himself, but only he who is called of God as was Aar’on.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And it was not for himself that a man took the honor, but he who was called by God, just as Aaron.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And no one takes this honor to himself, but he that is called by God, as Aaron also was called.

Godbey New Testament
And no one takes this honor to himself, but the one called of God, as indeed Aaron was.

Haweis New Testament
And no man assumes to himself this honour, but he who is called of God, even as Aaron was.

Mace New Testament
to himself the honour of the priesthood: he must be called thereto by God, as Aaron was.

Weymouth New Testament
And no one takes this honourable office upon himself, but only accepts it when called to it by God, as Aaron was.

Worrell New Testament
And no one takes the honor to himself, but, when called by God, as was also Aaron.

Worsley New Testament
And no one taketh this honor to himself, but he that is called by God, as Aaron was.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Perfect High Priest
3That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. 5So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.”…

Cross References
Exodus 28:1
“Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests.

Numbers 16:40
just as the LORD commanded him through Moses. This was to be a reminder to the Israelites that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his followers.

Numbers 18:7
But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and what is inside the veil, and you are to perform that service. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but any outsider who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.”

1 Samuel 13:8-14
And Saul waited seven days for the time appointed by Samuel, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the troops began to desert Saul. / So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.” And he offered up the burnt offering. / Just as he finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. ...

1 Kings 12:31
Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places and appointed from every class of people priests who were not Levites.

1 Chronicles 23:13
The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.

2 Chronicles 26:18
They took their stand against King Uzziah and said, “Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD. Only the priests, the descendants of Aaron, are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully; you will not receive honor from the LORD God.”

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

Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah 23:21
I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied.

John 3:27
John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.

John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

Acts 13:2
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Acts 22:21
Then He said to me, ‘Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

Romans 10:15
And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”


Treasury of Scripture

And no man takes this honor to himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

Exodus 28:1
And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.

Leviticus 8:2
Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the sin offering, and two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread;

Numbers 3:3
These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office.

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Hebrews 5
1. The honor of our Savior's priesthood.
11. Negligence in the knowledge thereof is reproved.














And no one takes this honor upon himself
This phrase emphasizes the divine calling and appointment necessary for the priesthood. The Greek word for "honor" (τιμή, timē) implies a value or worth that is not self-assumed but conferred by God. Historically, the priesthood in Israel was not a position one could aspire to through personal ambition or self-selection. It was a sacred office, divinely instituted, as seen in the appointment of Aaron and his descendants (Exodus 28:1). This underscores the principle that spiritual leadership is a calling from God, not a career choice.

he must be called by God
The necessity of being "called by God" (καλούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ, kaloumenos hypo tou Theou) is a central theme in understanding the legitimacy of spiritual authority. The calling is not merely an internal feeling but an external confirmation and appointment by God. This reflects the Old Testament pattern where God explicitly called individuals to serve as priests, prophets, or kings. The calling of Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3) and the anointing of David by Samuel (1 Samuel 16) are prime examples of divine selection and appointment.

just as Aaron was
Aaron's calling as the first high priest of Israel (Exodus 28:1) serves as the archetype for all subsequent priestly appointments. The mention of Aaron highlights the continuity of God's plan and the importance of divine ordination. Aaron's selection was not based on personal merit but on God's sovereign choice, setting a precedent for understanding the priesthood as a divinely instituted office. This also points to the New Testament fulfillment in Christ, who, like Aaron, was appointed by God to be the ultimate High Priest, as elaborated in Hebrews 5:5-6.

(4) But he that is called.--The true reading requires, when he is called. "Not unto himself doth any man take the honour, but when . . ."

Verse 4. - And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but being called of God (the 5 of Textus Receptus before καλούμενος ( "he that is called," as in A.V. - has very slight authority), even as was Aaron. This verse expresses the second essential of a high priest, Divine appointment, for assurance of the efficacy of his mediation. Of course Aaron's successors derived their Divine commission from his original one (cf. Numbers 21:26; Numbers 26:10-14).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
No
οὐχ (ouch)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

one
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

takes
λαμβάνει (lambanei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

[this]
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

honor
τιμήν (timēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5092: A price, honor. From tino; a value, i.e. Money paid, or valuables; by analogy, esteem, or the dignity itself.

upon himself;
ἑαυτῷ (heautō)
Reflexive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

he must be called
καλούμενος (kaloumenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2564: (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.

by
ὑπὸ (hypo)
Preposition
Strong's 5259: A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).

God,
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

just as
καθώσπερ (kathōsper)
Adverb
Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.

Aaron
Ἀαρών (Aarōn)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2: Aaron, son of Amram and Jochebed, brother of Moses. Of Hebrew origin; Aaron, the brother of Moses.

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


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NT Letters: Hebrews 5:4 Nobody takes this honor on himself (Heb. He. Hb)
Hebrews 5:3
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