“Wherfore in all things it behooued him to bee made like vnto his brethren, that he might be a mercifull and faithfull high Priest, in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sinnes of the people.”
1611 King James Version (KJV)
2:17 Wherefore it behoved him - It was highly fit and proper, yea, necessary, in order to his design of redeeming them. To be made in all things - That essentially pertain to human nature, and in all sufferings and temptations. Like his brethren - This is a recapitulation of all that goes before: the sum of all that follows is added immediately. That he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest - Merciful toward sinners; faithful toward God. A priest or high priest is one who has a right of approaching God, and of bringing others to him. Faithful is treated of, #Heb 3:2|, &c., with its use; merciful, #Heb 4:14|, &c., with the use also; High Priest, #Heb 5:4|, &c., #Heb 7:1|, &c. The use is added from Heb 10:19. In things pertaining to God, to expiate the sins of the people - Offering up their sacrifices and prayers to God; deriving God's grace, peace, and blessings upon them.
Heb 2:17 It behoved him to be made like [his] brethren. Hence, for the reasons given above, it was necessary that he take our nature. That he might be a merciful and faithful high priest. To be our high priest he must be in full sympathy with us, having experienced our trials and our sufferings. To make reconciliation for the sins of the people. As our high priest he made atonement for us. Conscious of all our frailties he intercedes for us. In him, the Divine man, all who are found in him are justified before God.