What Does Hebrews 5:4 Mean in the King James?
And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
This honor becomes real through a call from God; a person cannot confer it on themselves.
THE MEANING
The verse draws a line between claiming a role and receiving it through God’s call. The honor belongs to the one God calls, as it does for Aaron.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
A role becomes legitimate simply because I claim it for myself.
THE ROOT
καλούμενος
kaloumenos from kaleō
GROWS FROM
καλε-/κλη- (kale-/klē-)
to call, summon, or name
The verse makes the call the source of the honor: the person receives a summons rather than making the role theirs by claiming it. Greek words from this family keep the idea of being called visible beneath English phrases like “called of God.”
ALSO GROWS
klēsis: calling, invitation
κλῆσις
The related noun names the call itself, showing that the role begins with an invitation or summons.
klētos: called, summoned
κλητός
This related word describes someone as called, keeping the emphasis on a status received rather than self-assigned.
τιμή
timē
GROWS FROM
τιμ-
tim-
value, worth, or honor
“honour” in this verse is timē. The word for honor also carries the sense of value: this is a weight of esteem attached to a role, not merely a title someone can take. Its root family moves between honoring someone and calling something precious.
ALSO GROWS
timaō: to honor, value
τιμάω
This verb shows honor as an act of recognizing someone’s worth.
timios: precious, valuable, honored
τίμιος
This adjective makes the root’s link between honor and value explicit.
THE PATTERN
A calling with weight is conferred, not seized.
And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.THE THREAD
So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.The next verse repeats the same structure: Christ does not glorify himself into the role; another confers it. Read together, the two verses make the source of priestly honor unmistakable.
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