2:1 Because of this we must pay greater attention to the things we have heard, lest we should drift away. 2 For if the word having been spoken through messengers[1] became certain, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, 3 how shall we escape, having neglected so great a salvation? Which, originally spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those having heard Him, 4 God testifying to them also with signs and wonders, and various miracles, and distributions of the Holy Spirit, according to His will.
5 For He did not subordinate to messengers the inhabited world about to come, concerning which we speak. 6 But one solemnly testified somewhere in a certain place, saying,
“What is man, that You remember him? Or the son of man, that You watch over him?
7 You made him a little[2] lower than messengers, with glory and honor You crowned him.[3]
8 You subordinated all things under his feet.”[4]
For in subordinating to Him all things, He left nothing not subordinated to Him. But now we do not yet see all things having been subordinated to Him. 9 But we see Jesus, the One having been made a little lower than messengers, because of the suffering of death, with glory and honor having been crowned, so that by the grace of God on behalf of everyone He might taste of death.
10 For it was fitting for Him, because of whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. 11 For both the One sanctifying and those being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying,
“I will declare Your name to My brothers, in the midst of the assembly I will sing hymns to You”;[5]
13 And again:
“I, I will put My trust in Him.”[6]
And again,
“Behold, I and the children whom God has given to Me.”[7]
14 Therefore, since the children have been made partakers of flesh and blood, He Himself also took part of the same, in order that through death He might destroy the one having the power of death—that is, the Devil—15 and might set free those, as many as by fear of death were through all their life subject to slavery. 16 For indeed He does not help[8] messengers, but the seed of Abraham He helps. 17 Therefore He had to become like the brothers in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He has suffered, Himself having been tempted, He is able to come to the aid of those being tempted.
[1] Verse 2 – Almost all English versions here transliterate (rather than translate) ἀγγέλων, the Greek genitive masculine plural form of the noun ἄγγελος, as “angels.” So also in verses 5, 7, 9 & 16.
[2] Verse 7 – Or for a little while. Both the Heb adjective מְעַט (in the MT) and the Grk adjective βραχύς (in the LXX and here) can mean “little” in the sense of size, amount or degree, or in a temporal sense, i.e., “for a short time.” Also in verse 9.
[3] Verse 7 – About a dozen Grk MSS here add καὶ κατέστησας αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὰ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σου (and set him over the works of Your hands.) See Psalm 8:6 in the LXX. The TR incorporates this addition into its text in Hebrews 2:7, while the Byz, M and NU texts do not.
[4] Verses 6-8 – Psalm 8:4-6.
[5] Verse 12 – Psalm 22:22.
[6] Verse 13 – 2 Samuel 22:3; Isaiah 8:17.
[7] Verse 13 – Isaiah 8:18.
[8] Verse 16 – Literally, takes hold of (metaphorically, as in to save or help).