Hebrews 2
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 2
Exhortation to Faithfulness.[a] 1 Therefore, we must attend all the more to what we have heard, so that we may not be carried away. 2 For if the word announced through angels proved firm, and every transgression and disobedience received its just recompense,(A) 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? Announced originally through the Lord, it was confirmed for us by those who had heard.(B) 4 God added his testimony by signs, wonders, various acts of power, and distribution of the gifts of the holy Spirit according to his will.(C)
Exaltation Through Abasement.[b] 5 For it was not to angels that he subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 Instead, someone has testified somewhere:
“What is man that you are mindful of him,
or the son of man that you care for him?(D)
7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels;
you crowned him with glory and honor,
8 subjecting all things under his feet.”
In “subjecting” all things [to him], he left nothing not “subject to him.” Yet at present we do not see “all things subject to him,”(E) 9 but we do see Jesus “crowned with glory and honor” because he suffered death, he who “for a little while” was made “lower than the angels,” that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.(F)
10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering.(G) 11 He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers,” 12 saying:
“I will proclaim your name to my brothers,
in the midst of the assembly I will praise you”;(H)
13 and again:
“I will put my trust in him”;
and again:
“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”(I)
14 Now since the children share in blood and flesh, he likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,(J) 15 and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. 16 Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; 17 therefore, he had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people.(K) 18 Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Footnotes
- 2:1–4 The author now makes a transition into exhortation, using an a fortiori argument (as at Hb 7:21–22; 9:13–14; 10:28–29; 12:25). The word announced through angels (Hb 2:2), the Mosaic law, is contrasted with the more powerful word that Christians have received (Hb 2:3–4). Christ’s supremacy strengthens Christians against being carried away from their faith.
- 2:5–18 The humanity and the suffering of Jesus do not constitute a valid reason for relinquishing the Christian faith. Ps 8:6–7 is also applied to Jesus in 1 Cor 15:27; Eph 1:22; and probably 1 Pt 3:22. This christological interpretation, therefore, probably reflects a common early Christian tradition, which may have originated in the expression the son of man (Hb 2:6). The psalm contrasts God’s greatness with man’s relative insignificance but also stresses the superiority of man to the rest of creation, of which he is lord. Hebrews applies this christologically: Jesus lived a truly human existence, lower than the angels, in the days of his earthly life, particularly in his suffering and death; now, crowned with glory and honor, he is raised above all creation. The author considers all things as already subject to him because of his exaltation (Hb 2:8–9), though we do not see this yet. The reference to Jesus as leader (Hb 2:10) sounds the first note of an important leitmotif in Hebrews: the journey of the people of God to the sabbath rest (Hb 4:9), the heavenly sanctuary, following Jesus, their “forerunner” (Hb 6:20). It was fitting that God should make him perfect through suffering, consecrated by obedient suffering. Because he is perfected as high priest, Jesus is then able to consecrate his people (Hb 2:11); access to God is made possible by each of these two consecrations. If Jesus is able to help human beings, it is because he has become one of us; we are his “brothers.” The author then cites three Old Testament texts as proofs of this unity between ourselves and the Son. Ps 22:23 is interpreted so as to make Jesus the singer of this lament, which ends with joyful praise of the Lord in the assembly of “brothers.” The other two texts are from Is 8:17, 18. The first of these seems intended to display in Jesus an example of the trust in God that his followers should emulate. The second curiously calls these followers “children”; probably this is to be understood to mean children of Adam, but the point is our solidarity with Jesus. By sharing human nature, including the ban of death, Jesus broke the power of the devil over death (Hb 2:14); the author shares the view of Hellenistic Judaism that death was not intended by God and that it had been introduced into the world by the devil. The fear of death (Hb 2:15) is a religious fear based on the false conception that death marks the end of a person’s relations with God (cf. Ps 115:17–18; Is 38:18). Jesus deliberately allied himself with the descendants of Abraham (Hb 2:16) in order to be a merciful and faithful high priest. This is the first appearance of the central theme of Hebrews, Jesus the great high priest expiating the sins of the people (Hb 2:17), as one who experienced the same tests as they (Hb 2:18).
Hebrews 2
English Standard Version
Warning Against Neglecting Salvation
2 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since (A)the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and (B)every transgression or disobedience received a just (C)retribution, 3 (D)how shall we escape if we (E)neglect such a great salvation? It was (F)declared at first by the Lord, and it was (G)attested to us (H)by those who heard, 4 (I)while God also bore witness (J)by signs and wonders and various miracles and by (K)gifts of the Holy Spirit (L)distributed according to his will.
The Founder of Salvation
5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world (M)to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere,
(N)“What is man, that you are mindful of him,
or the son of man, that you care for him?
7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels;
you have crowned him with glory and honor,[a]
8 putting everything in subjection under his feet.”
Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, (O)we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him (P)who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, (Q)crowned with glory and honor (R)because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might (S)taste death (T)for everyone.
10 For it (U)was fitting that he, (V)for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons (W)to glory, should make the (X)founder of their salvation (Y)perfect through suffering. 11 For (Z)he who sanctifies and (AA)those who are sanctified (AB)all have one source.[b] That is why he is not ashamed to call them (AC)brothers,[c] 12 saying,
(AD)“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the (AE)congregation I will sing your praise.”
13 And again,
(AF)“I will put my trust in him.”
And again,
14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise (AI)partook of the same things, that (AJ)through death he might (AK)destroy (AL)the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who (AM)through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he (AN)helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had (AO)to be made like his brothers in every respect, (AP)so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest (AQ)in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered (AR)when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 2:7 Some manuscripts insert and set him over the works of your hands
- Hebrews 2:11 Greek all are of one
- Hebrews 2:11 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verse 12
ﺍﻟﻌﺒﺮﺍﻧﻴﻴﻦ 2
Ketab El Hayat
التحذير للانتباه
2 لِذَلِكَ، يَجِبُ عَلَيْنَا أَنْ نَهْتَمَّ أَشَدَّ الاهْتِمَامِ بِالْكَلامِ الَّذِي سَمِعْنَاهُ، مُتَنَبِّهِينَ أَلّا نَنْحَرِفَ عَنْهُ. 2 فَإِنَّنَا نَعْلَمُ أَنَّ كُلَّ كَلِمَةٍ نَقَلَتْهَا الْمَلائِكَةُ، قَدْ تَبَيَّنَ أَنَّهَا ثَابِتَةٌ، وَقَدْ نَالَ كُلُّ مُتَعَدٍّ أَوْ مُخَالِفٍ لَهَا عِقَاباً عَادِلاً. 3 فَكَيْفَ نُفْلِتُ نَحْنُ إِنْ أَهْمَلْنَا هَذَا الْخَلاصَ الْعَظِيمَ جِدّاً؟ فَإِنَّ الرَّبَّ (يَسُوعَ) نَفْسَهُ قَدْ أَعْلَنَهُ أَوَّلاً، ثُمَّ تَثَبَّتَ لَنَا مِنَ الَّذِينَ سَمِعُوهُ مُبَاشَرَةً. 4 وَقَدْ أَيَّدَ اللهُ شَهَادَتَهُمْ بِعَلامَاتٍ وَعَجَائِبَ وَمُعْجِزَاتٍ مُخْتَلِفَةٍ، وَبِالْمَوَاهِبِ الَّتِي وَزَّعَهَا الرُّوحُ الْقُدُسُ وَفْقاً لإِرَادَتِهِ!
يسوع يشابه إخوته المؤمنين
5 ثُمَّ إِنَّ «الْعَالَمَ الآتِيَ» الَّذِي نَتَحَدَّثُ عَنْهُ كَثِيراً، لَنْ يَكُونَ خَاضِعاً لِسَيْطَرَةِ الْمَلائِكَةِ. 6 فَقَدْ شَهِدَ أَحَدُهُمْ فِي مَوْضِعٍ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ، قَائِلاً:
«مَا هُوَ الإِنْسَانُ حَتَّى تَهْتَمَّ بِهِ؟ أَوِ ابْنُ الإِنْسَانِ حَتَّى تُكْرِمَهُ هَذَا الإِكْرَامَ؟ 7 جَعَلْتَهُ أَدْنَى مِنَ الْمَلائِكَةِ إِلَى حِينٍ، ثُمَّ كَلَّلْتَهُ بِالْمَجْدِ وَالْكَرَامَةِ، وَأَعْطَيْتَهُ السُّلْطَةَ عَلَى كُلِّ مَا صَنَعَتْهُ يَدَاكَ. 8 أَخْضَعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ تَحْتَ قَدَمَيْهِ!» فَمَادَامَ اللهُ قَدْ أَخْضَعَ لَهُ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ، فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يَتْرُكْ شَيْئاً غَيْرَ خَاضِعٍ لَهُ. وَلَكِنَّنَا الآنَ لَا نَرَى كُلَّ شَيْءٍ تَحْتَ سُلْطَتِهِ بَعْدُ. 9 إِلّا أَنَّنَا نَرَى يَسُوعَ الآنَ مُكَلَّلاً بِالْمَجْدِ وَالْكَرَامَةِ، لأَنَّهُ قَاسَى الْمَوْتَ. وَذَلِكَ بَعْدَمَا صَارَ أَدْنَى مِنَ الْمَلائِكَةِ إِلَى حِينٍ، لِيَذُوقَ بِنِعْمَةِ اللهِ الْمَوْتَ عِوَضاً عَنْ كُلِّ وَاحِدٍ. 10 فَلَمَّا قَصَدَ اللهُ، الَّذِي مِنْ أَجْلِهِ كُلُّ شَيْءٍ وَبِهِ كُلُّ شَيْءٍ، أَنْ يُحْضِرَ إِلَى الْمَجْدِ أَبْنَاءً كَثِيرِينَ، كَانَ مِنَ اللّائِقِ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ قَائِدَهُمْ إِلَى الْخَلاصِ مُؤَهَّلاً عَنْ طَرِيقِ الآلامِ.
11 فَإِنَّ لِلْمَسِيحِ الَّذِي يُقَدِّسُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِهِ، وَلِلْمُقَدَّسِينَ أَنْفُسِهِمْ، أَباً وَاحِداً. لِهَذَا، لَا يَسْتَحِي الْمَسِيحُ أَنْ يَدْعُوَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِهِ إِخْوَةً لَهُ. 12 وَيَقُولُ: «أُعْلِنُ اسْمَكَ لإِخْوَتِي. وَأُسَبِّحُكَ فِي وَسَطِ الْجَمَاعَةِ!» 13 وَيَقُولُ أَيْضاً: «وَأَنَا أَكُونُ مُتَوَكِّلاً عَلَيْهِ!» وَأَيْضاً: «هَا أَنَا مَعَ الأَوْلادِ الَّذِينَ وَهَبَهُمُ اللهُ لِي!»
14 إِذَنْ، بِمَا أَنَّ هَؤُلاءِ الأَوْلادَ مُتَشَارِكُونَ فِي أَجْسَامٍ بَشَرِيَّةٍ مِنْ لَحْمٍ وَدَمٍ، اشْتَرَكَ الْمَسِيحُ أَيْضاً فِي اللَّحْمِ وَالدَّمِ بِاتِّخَاذِهِ جِسْماً بَشَرِيًّا. وَهَكَذَا تَمَكَّنَ أَنْ يَمُوتَ، لِيَقْضِيَ عَلَى مَنْ لَهُ سُلْطَةُ الْمَوْتِ، أَيْ إِبْلِيسَ، 15 وَيُحَرِّرَ مَنْ كَانَ الْخَوْفُ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ يَسْتَعْبِدُهُمْ طَوَالَ حَيَاتِهِمْ. 16 نَعَمْ، كَانَتْ غَايَتُهُ أَنْ يُنْقِذَ، لَا الْمَلائِكَةَ، بَلْ نَسْلَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ. 17 وَلِذَلِكَ كَانَ لابُدَّ أَنْ يُشْبِهَ إِخْوَتَهُ مِنْ جَمِيعِ النَّوَاحِي، لِيَكُونَ هُوَ رَئِيسَ الْكَهَنَةِ، الرَّحِيمَ وَالأَمِينَ، الَّذِي يَقُومُ بِعَمَلِهِ أَمَامَ اللهِ نِيَابَةً عَنِ الشَّعْبِ، فَيُكَفِّرَ عَنْ خَطَايَاهُمْ. 18 وَبِمَا أَنَّهُ هُوَ نَفْسَهُ، قَدْ تَأَلَّمَ وَتَعَرَّضَ لِلتَّجَارِبِ، فَهُوَ قَادِرٌ أَنْ يُعِينَ الَّذِينَ يَتَعَرَّضُونَ لِلتَّجَارِبِ.
Hebrews 2
New King James Version
Do Not Neglect Salvation
2 Therefore we must give [a]the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word (A)spoken through angels proved steadfast, and (B)every transgression and disobedience received a just [b]reward, 3 (C)how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, (D)which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was (E)confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 (F)God also bearing witness (G)both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and (H)gifts[c] of the Holy Spirit, (I)according to His own will?
The Son Made Lower than Angels(J)
5 For He has not put (K)the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying:
(L)“What is man that You are mindful of him,
Or the son of man that You take care of him?
7 You have made him [d]a little lower than the angels;
You have crowned him with glory and honor,
[e]And set him over the works of Your hands.
8 (M)You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”
For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now (N)we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, (O)who was made [f]a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death (P)crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death (Q)for everyone.
Bringing Many Sons to Glory
10 For it was fitting for Him, (R)for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation (S)perfect through sufferings. 11 For (T)both He who [g]sanctifies and those who are being sanctified (U)are all of one, for which reason (V)He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying:
(W)“I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”
13 And again:
(X)“I will put My trust in Him.”
And again:
(Y)“Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”
14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He (Z)Himself likewise shared in the same, (AA)that through death He might destroy him who had the power of (AB)death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who (AC)through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not [h]give aid to angels, but He does [i]give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had (AD)to be made like His brethren, that He might be (AE)a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 (AF)For in that He Himself has suffered, being [j]tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 2:1 all the more careful attention
- Hebrews 2:2 retribution or penalty
- Hebrews 2:4 distributions
- Hebrews 2:7 Or for a little while
- Hebrews 2:7 NU, M omit the rest of v. 7.
- Hebrews 2:9 Or for a little while
- Hebrews 2:11 sets apart
- Hebrews 2:16 Or take on the nature of
- Hebrews 2:16 Or take on
- Hebrews 2:18 tested
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Holy Bible, New Arabic Version (Ketab El Hayat) Copyright © 1988, 1997 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
