Hebrews 1:4-14

1:4

This verse closes the introductory verses and introduces the first section of the book.

The first comparison made of the Son is to the angels. This is probably because the
concept and teaching about angels was of great interest at this time to the Jews.

“Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you from the prize.” Colossians 2:18

Since angels brought messages from God (Abraham, Mt. Sinai, Samson, Daniel, Nativity) some may
have considered Jesus an angelic figure who was a messenger from God.

In the Old Testament the Son of God did appear as an angel called the angel of the Lord.

τοσουτω κρειττων γενομενος των αγγελων οσω διαφορωτερον παρ αυτους κεκληρονομηκεν ονομα

Being made so much better than the angels as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they

“Kreitton” kreitttwn from kratoV “better, superior” – fundamental idea is superior power not superior goodness.

1) Occurs 13 times in Hebrews

2) Characteristic word used to compare Christ to

a. Angels

b. People

c. Groups

d. Institutions

3) “Better, Superior” used to compare:

a. The message of the Son with any message that came before (including messages from the angels)

b. The new age or world that the messiah would reign over was greater than the age or world the angels reign over and served in.

i. See Deuteronomy 32:8, 9

“Genomenos” genomenoV “having become”

1) a reference to the incarnate Christ and not the eternal Son who always was and never developed.

2) In 2:9 Christ became a little lower than angels (as a man) but has been exalted far above angels.

3) Use of the word “inheritance” indicates the view of the exalted Christ after the humility of Christ is in view. (Phil. 2:9)

Concerning the “Name”

1) Names were more than a way of identification. They were a means of describing and revealing the person. The name described the character and revealed the nature of a person or a being.

2) Is it reference to the name “Jesus” which is better than “Michael” or “Gabriel”?

3) Did he receive the name “Lord” or “Jehovah” after he was exalted?

4) Was it recognition by the Father that the resurrected and ascended Jesus was the same eternal Son who had been with God from the beginning? This would give the man Jesus the titles of the second member of the trinity:

a. Sovereign

b. Creator

c. JWHW of the Old Covenant

5) Most likely in the context the name he received was that of “Son” which is the closest of relationships with God.

1:5

τινι γαρ ειπεν ποτε των αγγελων υιος μου ει συ εγω σημερον γεγεννηκα σε και παλιν εγω εσομαι αυτω εις πατερα και αυτος εσται μοι εις υιον

For unto which of the angels said he at any time Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee And again I will be to him a Father and he shall be to me a Son

First Quote: Psalm 2:7

1) Even in the OT there was a Son who was beyond the angels

2) The Davidic line would have used this with an understanding of a later fulfillment

3) Luke 1:32 – Gabriel used both the concept of the Son and the Throne of David

4) Mark 1:11 – God spoke out of heaven and used this line.

“Today” refers to the day of the Son’s exaltation

Romans 1:4

Second Quote: 2 Sam. 7:14

1) Solomon did build a temple but Solomon did not exhaust this prophecy

2) Later prophets referred to this Greater son of David:

a) Micah 5:2-4

b) Isaiah 9:6

c) Ezekiel 21:27

d) Zechariah 9:9

1:6

οταν δε παλιν εισαγαγη τον πρωτοτοκον εις την οικουμενην λεγει και προσκυνησατωσαν αυτω παντες αγγελοι θεου

And again when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world he saith And

let all the angels of God worship him

Third Quote: “And let all God’s angels worship him”

The firstborn is seen and understood from Psalm 89:27 – First Born = Most Exalted King on Earth

Psalm 97:7

Deut. 32:43

1:7

και προς μεν τους αγγελους λεγει ο ποιων τους αγγελους αυτου πνευματα και τους λειτουργους αυτου πυρος φλογα

And of +__ the angels he saith Who maketh his angels spirits and his ministers a flame of fire

Fourth Quote: Psalm 104:4

1) Angels were placed as the divine administrators of the universe, but the Son is higher

2) The wind and fire serve God and also the angels serve God’s commands

3) The comparison is that the angels were created to serve but the Son is eternal

1:8

προς δε τον υιον ο θρονος σου ο θεος εις τον αιωνα του αιωνος ραβδος ευθυτητος η ραβδος της βασιλειας σου

But unto the Son he saith Thy throne O God is for ever and ever a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom

Fifth Quote: Psalm 45:6

1) Contrasts the Fourth Quote from Psalm 104:4

2) This Psalm is from a royal wedding. In the Psalm the bridegroom and then the bride are addressed. This part quoted here is from the address to the bridegroom.

3) The bridegroom was the king ruling in the Messiah’s place during the history of man.

4) Everything created (including angels) was subject to time but this throne was eternal.

5) The “companions” (metochous) are the “many sons” of Hebrews 2:10 and the Messiah’s “partners” (metochoi) of 3:14.

1:9

ηγαπησας δικαιοσυνην και εμισησας ανομιαν δια τουτο εχρισεν σε ο θεος ο θεος σου ελαιον αγαλλιασεως παρα τους μετοχους σου

Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity therefore +__ God even thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows

1:10-12

και συ κατ αρχας κυριε την γην εθεμελιωσας και εργα των χειρων σου εισιν οι ουρανοι

And Thou Lord in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the works of thine hands

Sixth Quote: Psalm 102:25-27

1) In Psalm 102 the afflicted author is speaking of the shortness of his life and the judgment on the city of Jerusalem as compared to the eternal state of God’s kingdom.

1:13

προς τινα δε των αγγελων ειρηκεν ποτε καθου εκ δεξιων μου εως αν θω τους εχθρους σου υποποδιον των ποδων σου

But to which of the angels said he at any time Sit on my right hand until +__ I make thine enemies thy footstool +__

Seventh Quote: Psalm 110:

1) This refers to the Son’s enthronement in heaven

2) Mark 12:35

3) At his trial before the High Priest Jesus said that He was the one spoken of in this prophecy when He said He would be seated at the right hand of God and come back in clouds of glory. Mark 14:62

1:14

Angels like Gabriel stood in the presence of God (Luke 1:19) but none of them ever sat in the presence of God let alone sit in a place of honor along with God.

All of the angels are servants from the highest to the lowest.