Hebrews 2:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 2:7

Thou madest him a little lower than the angels - Margin, “A little while inferior to.” The Greek may here mean a little inferior in rank, or inferior for a little time. But the probable meaning is, that it refers to inferiority of rank. Such is its obvious sense in Psalms 8:1-9, from which this is quoted. The meaning is, that God had made man but little inferior to the angels in rank. He was inferior, but still God had exalted him almost to their rank. Feeble, and weak, and dying as he was, God... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 2:7

Hebrews 2:7. Thou madest him That Isaiah , 1 st, Man, when first created; a little lower than the angels So the LXX., and all the old Greek translations, as also the Targum, read the clause; but the Hebrew, מעשׂ מאלהים , is a little lower than God; the word God being probably put by an ellipsis for the angels of God. Man, when first formed, was, it seems, in the scale of creatures next to angels, his soul being spiritual, intelligent, free, and immortal; but, as by his body he was... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Hebrews 2:5-18

Christ’s humanity and suffering (2:5-18)Jews considered that human beings were inferior to angels. They therefore wondered how Jesus Christ could be superior to angels when in fact he was a man.The writer points out that this human status of inferiority to angels is only temporary. God’s original purpose was that human beings should rule over all things, but because of sin they lost this authority and are themselves in need of salvation (5-8). Jesus Christ, in order to save them, took their... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Hebrews 2:7

madest . . . lower . Greek. elattoo. Only here, Hebrews 2:9 , and John 3:30 (decrease). a little = for a little while. the . Omit. crownedst . Greek. stephanoo. See 2 Timothy 2:5 . glory . See p. 1511. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Hebrews 2:6-9

Hebrews 2:6-9. But one in a certain place, &c.— "Nor think it strange, that a man should be invested with such extraordinary power; for as the Psalmist says of manin general, that he is Lord of all the creation; that, low and mean, and helpless in ten thousand instances, as he seems to be, yet all things are in general subject to him: this, I say, is now literally and eminently true in the case of Jesus Christ, the God-man. What is man, says the Psalmist, that thou art mindful of him; or... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 2:7

7. a little—not as BENGEL, "a little time." than the angels—Hebrew, "than God," "Elohim," that is, the abstract qualities of God, such as angels possess in an inferior form; namely, heavenly, spiritual, incorporeal natures. Man, in his original creation, was set next beneath them. So the man Jesus, though Lord of angels, when He emptied Himself of the externals of His Divinity (see on :-), was in His human nature "a little lower than the angels"; though this is not the primary reference here,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 2:5-9

D. The Humiliation and Glory of God’s SON 2:5-9Hebrews 2:5-18 present eight reasons for the incarnation of the Son: to fulfill God’s purpose for man (Hebrews 2:5-9 a), to taste death for all (Hebrews 2:9 b), and to bring many sons to glory (Hebrews 2:10-13). He also came to destroy the devil (Hebrews 2:14), to deliver those in bondage (Hebrews 2:15), to become a priest for men (Hebrews 2:16-17 a), to make propitiation for sins (Hebrews 2:17 b), and to provide help for those tested (Hebrews... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 2:6-8

The writer interpreted this passage (Psalms 8:4-6) as Messianic. [Note: See Donald R. Glenn, "Psalms 8 and Hebrews 2 : A Case Study in Biblical Hermeneutics and Biblical Theology," in Walvoord: A Tribute, p. 44. ] There is some evidence that most of the Jews of this time did not consider Psalms 8 to be messianic. [Note: Guthrie, p. 84. See also Martin Pickup, "New Testament Interpretation of the Old Testament: The Theological Rationale of Midrashic Exegesis," Journal of the Evangelical... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 2:1-18

Jesus Exalted in Humiliation1-4. The former dispensation, even though mediated by comparatively inferior beings such as the angels, was yet so sacred that all neglect of it was severely punished. This being so, a far more terrible fate must now be theirs who neglect the revelation brought by the Son of God Himself, delivered to us by eye-witnesses, and authenticated by miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost.1. Let them slip] RV ’drift away from them,’ as a ship from its moorings. This was what... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Hebrews 2:5-18

(5-18) It was needful that Jesus, as Author of salvation to man, should in all points be made like to those whom He saves, and in their likeness suffer and die; thus He becomes for them a merciful and faithful High Priest. read more

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