Hebrews 2:7 - Exposition

Thou madest him a little lower than the angels . Here the LXX . takes Elohim (being a plural form) to mean "angels;" as also in Psalms 97:7 and Psalms 138:1 . 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.