5:10

In this final verse of Section 5:1–10 the author said that God appointed Christ as a high priest in the order of Melchizedek. In 5:6 the author quoted the words that God said to Christ at that time: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” The author repeated what God said to Christ to emphasize the importance of Jesus being a priest in the order of Melchizedek.

5:10a

and was designated by God as high priest: The people of Israel had only one high priest at a time, and each high priest served until his death. Since God appointed Christ as high priest and Christ will never die again, he will be the only high priest forever.

The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as designated only occurs here in the NT. Its meaning is similar to the verb that is translated as “appointed.” The form of the verb is passive, but God is mentioned as the one who appointed Christ to be high priest.

Some other ways to translate the statement are:

and God declared him to be high priest (Good News Translation)
-or-
God appointed him to become the high priest

high priest: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as high priest was used in 5:1, but the more general word “priest” was used in 5:6. Use the same word or phrase that you used in 5:1a.

5:10b

in the order of Melchizedek: The phrase in the order of Melchizedek was used in 5:6b. Translate it in the same way here.

General Comment on 5:10a–b

In some languages it is more natural to translate 5:10 as a separate sentence. For example:

God appointed him chief priest in the way Melchizedek was a priest. (God’s Word)

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