Hebrews 1

Berean Standard Bible · Compare translations · AD 60 – AD 69 · The early church · Tap a verse to copy, share or highlight ·

14 verses · 316 words · ~2 min read · ~2 min listen

The Supremacy of the Son

Colossians 1:15–23

¹On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. ²But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.

³The Son is the radiance of Godʼs glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. ⁴So He became as far superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs. ⁵For to which of the angels did God ever say:

“You are My Son;

today I have become Your Father”?

Or again:

“I will be His Father,

and He will be My Son”?

⁶And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says:

“Let all Godʼs angels worship Him.”

⁷Now about the angels He says:

“He makes His angels winds,

His servants flames of fire.”

⁸But about the Son He says:

“Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever,

and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.

⁹You have loved righteousness

and hated wickedness;

therefore God, Your God, has anointed You

above Your companions with the oil of joy.”

¹⁰And:

“In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth,

and the heavens are the work of Your hands.

¹¹They will perish, but You remain;

they will all wear out like a garment.

¹²You will roll them up like a robe;

like a garment they will be changed;

but You remain the same,

and Your years will never end.”

¹³Yet to which of the angels did God ever say:

“Sit at My right hand

until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet”?

¹⁴Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Footnotes (11)

a v2 Or in His Son
b v2 Or the world; literally the ages
c v5 Psalm 2:7; literally today I have begotten You
d v5 2 Samuel 7:14;1 Chronicles 17:13
e v6 Deuteronomy 32:43(see DSS and LXX)
f v7 Psalm 104:4(see also LXX)
g v9 Psalms 45:6–7
h v12 BYZ and TR do not include like a garment.
i v12 Psalm 102:25–27
j v13 Psalm 110:1
k v14 Literally Are they not all

Study notes on this chapter · 5

Prophecy & fulfillmentLinked by the New Testament

A son of David whose throne lasts forever

God promises David a descendant whose kingdom will be established forever and who will be treated as God's son. The angel announcing Jesus' birth echoes this promise, and Hebrews applies it to Jesus.

When: Spoken to David (c. 1000 BC); echoed at Jesus' birth announcement (c. 6–4 BC).

Original passage2 Samuel 7:12–16

Where the New Testament applies itLuke 1:32–33Hebrews 1:5

Ways people read this (1)

Its first reference is to Solomon and David's line of kings; the New Testament reads its fullest sense in Jesus.

Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.

Prophecy & fulfillmentLinked by the New Testament

You are my Son

A royal psalm in which God declares the anointed king to be his son. The New Testament applies these words to Jesus in Paul's preaching about the resurrection and in Hebrews (the voice at Jesus' baptism also echoes them).

When: A royal psalm from the era of Israel's monarchy; applied in Acts and Hebrews, c. AD 30–65.

Original passagePsalms 2:7

Where the New Testament applies itActs 13:33Hebrews 1:5Hebrews 5:5

Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.

Prophecy & fulfillmentLinked by the New Testament

Your throne, O God, is forever

Psalm 45 is a wedding song for an Israelite king. Hebrews quotes its address, 'Your throne, O God, is forever', to show that the Son is greater than the angels. How to translate the phrase (a vocative 'O God', or 'your throne is God') is discussed.

When: A royal wedding psalm of the sons of Korah; Hebrews, before AD 70 (most likely).

Original passagePsalms 45:6–7

Where the New Testament applies itHebrews 1:8–9

Ways people read this (3)

The king is addressed as 'God' in an exalted, representative sense, and Hebrews reads it as fulfilled fully in Christ.
The phrase can be translated 'Your throne is God's throne forever', which would avoid addressing the king as God.
Hebrews treats the words as spoken by the Father to the Son.

Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.

Prophecy & fulfillmentLinked by the New Testament

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth

Psalm 102 praises the LORD as the unchanging Creator who will outlast heaven and earth. Hebrews applies these lines to the Son, together with Psalm 110:1, to show that he is not one of the angels but the agent of creation.

When: An anonymous psalm of the afflicted; Hebrews, before AD 70 (most likely).

Original passagePsalms 102:25–27

Where the New Testament applies itHebrews 1:10–13

Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.

Prophecy & fulfillmentLinked by the New Testament

Sit at my right hand

David writes, 'The LORD says to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.' Jesus uses this to raise the question of how the Messiah can be both David's son and David's Lord; Peter and Hebrews apply it to Jesus' exaltation.

When: Written by David (c. 1000 BC); quoted by Jesus in his final week (c. AD 30–33).

Original passagePsalms 110:1

Where the New Testament applies itMatthew 22:41–45Acts 2:34–35Hebrews 1:13

Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.

See all prophecy & fulfillment notes →

Hebrews 1

The Supremacy of the Sonⓘ

Study notes on this chapter · 5

A son of David whose throne lasts forever

You are my Son

Your throne, O God, is forever

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth

Sit at my right hand

The Supremacy of the Son