Bible Commentary

Hebrews 2:7

The Pulpit Commentary on Hebrews 2:7

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Thou madest him a little lower than the angels. Here the LXX. takes Elohim (being a plural form) to mean "angels;" as also in and . The more correct rendering of the Hebrew may be, "thou reddest him a little short of God," with reference to his having been made "in God's image," "after God's likeness," and having dominion over creation given him.

But, if so, Elohim must be understood in its abstract sense of "Divinity" (so Genesis), rather than as denoting the Supreme Being. Otherwise, "thyself" would have been the more appropriate expression, the psalm being addressed to God.

The argument is not affected by the difference of translation. Indeed, the latter rendering enhances still more the position assigned to man. Thou crownedst him with glory and worship, and didst set him over the works of thy hands.

The latter clause of this sentence, which is found in the LXX., but not in the Hebrew, is omitted in several codices. It is not wanted for the purpose of the argument.

Recommended reading

More for Hebrews 2:7

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Hebrews 2:1-18Hebrews 2:1-18 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONMatthew Henry on Hebrews 2:5-9Hebrews 2:5-9 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryNeither the state in which the church is at present, nor its more completely restored state, when the prince of this world shall be cast out, and the kingdoms of the earth become the kingdom of Christ, is left to the go…Design of Christ's Sufferings. (a. d. 62.)Hebrews 2:5-9 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleDESIGN OF CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS. (A. D. 62.) The apostle, having made this serious application of the doctrine of the personal excellency of Christ above the angels, now returns to that pleasant subject again, and pursues…The Pulpit Commentary on Hebrews 2:5-10Hebrews 2:5-10 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe dignity of human nature shows that the Incarnation was not degrading to the Godhead. The apostle proceeds with his argument broken off at end of the first chapter. The first chapter deals with the Deity of Christ; t…The Pulpit Commentary on Hebrews 2:5-9Hebrews 2:5-9 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe human nature of our Lord foreshadowed and his sovereignty over all things realized through his sufferings and death. The author pursues his argument, which is to show the indisputable superiority of our Lord to the…The Pulpit Commentary on Hebrews 2:5-9Hebrews 2:5-9 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe royalty of man. The apostle, in beginning to touch upon the humiliation and death of Christ, shows that these arrangements brought him no dishonor. God had subordinated the new dispensation, not to angels, but to ma…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Hebrews 2:1-18EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Hebrews 2:5-9Neither the state in which the church is at present, nor its more completely restored state, when the prince of this world shall be cast out, and the kingdoms of the earth become the kingdom of Christ, is left to the go…Matthew HenrycommentaryDesign of Christ's Sufferings. (a. d. 62.)DESIGN OF CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS. (A. D. 62.) The apostle, having made this serious application of the doctrine of the personal excellency of Christ above the angels, now returns to that pleasant subject again, and pursues…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Hebrews 2:5-9The human nature of our Lord foreshadowed and his sovereignty over all things realized through his sufferings and death. The author pursues his argument, which is to show the indisputable superiority of our Lord to the…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Hebrews 2:5-9The Divine destiny for man. "For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection," etc. The writer now resumes the subject of the exaltation of the Son of God over the holy angels. He proceeds to show that in that human n…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Hebrews 2:5-9The royalty of man. The apostle, in beginning to touch upon the humiliation and death of Christ, shows that these arrangements brought him no dishonor. God had subordinated the new dispensation, not to angels, but to ma…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Hebrews 2:5-10The dignity of human nature shows that the Incarnation was not degrading to the Godhead. The apostle proceeds with his argument broken off at end of the first chapter. The first chapter deals with the Deity of Christ; t…Joseph S. Exell and contributors