Hebrews 2:17–18
Because he himself suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted
Study it word by word17Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every way, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the things relating to God, to make expiation for the sins of the people.
18For because he himself has suffered when tested, he is able to help those who are being tested.
In its context
15and free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery throughout all their lives.
16For surely it is not angels he takes hold of, but he takes hold of the offspring of Abraham.
…
Its words in the original
- ὅθενhothen· from this, therefore
From where; for which reason.
- ὤφειλενōpheilen· ought, owe
Owe; ought, be obliged.
- ἀδελφοῖςadelphois· brother
Brother. Also a close relative, a fellow countryman and, among believers, a brother in the faith.
- ὁμοιωθῆναιhomoiōthēnai· be like, compare
Make like, become like; compare.
- ἐλεήμωνeleēmōn· merciful
Merciful, compassionate.
- γένηταιgenētai· become, happen
Become, happen, come about; be born.
- πιστὸςpistos· faithful, believing
Faithful, trustworthy; also believing, a believer.
- ἀρχιερεὺςarchiereus· chief priest, high priest
High priest. In the plural, the one then in office, those who had held it before, and the heads of the priestly families: the chief priests.
- θεόνtheon· God, god
God. In the plural or in another sense, "gods".
- ἱλάσκεσθαιhilaskesthai· be merciful, make expiation
Be merciful, show favor; make expiation for sins.
- ἁμαρτίαςhamartias· sin
Sin: missing the mark, failing God and what he commands.
- λαοῦlaou· people
People. Often the people of Israel.
- πέπονθενpeponthen· suffer
Suffer, undergo.
- πειρασθείςpeirastheis· test, tempt
Put to the test; when the devil does it, tempt: push someone to fall. "The tempter" comes from the same verb.
- δύναταιdynatai· can, be able
Can, be able.
- βοηθῆσαιboēthēsai· help
Help, come to the aid of.