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God Spoke Through His Son

·In the past [Long ago] God spoke to our ·ancestors [forefathers; fathers] through the prophets ·many times [or in a fragmentary/partial way; L in many parts] and in many different ways. But now in these last days God has spoken to us through ·his Son [or a son; 1:3]. God has ·chosen [appointed] his Son to ·own [be heir/inheritor of] all things, and through him he made the ·world [universe; ages; C comprising both space and time; John 1:3]. The Son ·reflects [or radiates; shines forth] the glory of God [John 1:14] and ·shows exactly what God is like [L is the exact representation/imprint/stamp of his being/essence/nature]. He ·holds everything together [sustains/upholds all things] with his powerful word. When the Son ·made people clean from their [L provided purification/cleansing for] sins [9:14], he sat down at the right ·side [L hand; C the most honored position beside a king; Ps. 110:1] of ·God, the Great One in heaven [L the Majesty/Preeminence in the highest places; C a Jewish way to avoid saying the divine name of God]. The Son became much ·greater [superior; better] than the angels, ·and [or just as; in the same way that] ·God gave him [L he inherited] a name [C either “Son” (v. 5), or referring to his nature or reputation] that is ·much greater than [far superior to] theirs.

This is because God never said to any of the angels,

“You are my Son.
    Today I have ·become your Father [T begotten you; Ps. 2:7; see Heb. 5:5; Acts 13:33].”

·Nor did God say of any angel [L And again],

“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son [2 Sam. 7:14].”

And [L again] when God brings ·his firstborn Son [L the firstborn; Rom. 8:29] into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him [Ps. 97:7 (in the Greek version of the OT); C similar words are found in the Greek version of Deut. 32:43 and in a Hebrew copy among the Dead Sea Scrolls].”

This is what God said about the angels:

“·God makes his angels become like winds [or God makes winds into his messengers].
    He makes ·his servants become like flames of fire [or flames of fire to be his servants; Ps. 104:4].”

But God said this about his Son:

“·God, your throne [L Your throne, O God; ] will last forever and ever.
    You will rule your kingdom with ·fairness [L a just/righteous scepter; C a scepter symbolizes royal authority].
You love ·right [righteousness] and hate ·evil [wickedness; lawlessness],
    so ·God [L God, your God,] has ·chosen [L anointed] you ·from among your friends [or above your peers; above anyone else];
    he has ·set you apart with much joy [L anointed you with the oil of joy/rejoicing; Ps. 45:6–7].”

10 God also says,

“Lord, in the beginning you ·made [L laid the foundations of] the earth,
    and your hands made the ·skies [heavens].
11 They will be destroyed, but you ·will remain [continue; C forever].
    They will all wear out like ·clothes [a garment].
12 You will ·fold them [roll them up] like a ·coat [robe].
    And, like ·clothes [a garment], you will change them.
But you ·never change [are the same; 13:8],
    and your ·life [L years] will never ·end [fail; run out; Ps. 102:25–27].”

13 And God never said this to an angel:

“Sit by me at my right ·side [hand; v. 3]
    until I put your enemies ·under your control [L as a footstool under your feet; Ps. 110:1].”

14 ·All the angels are [L Are they not…?] ·spirits who serve God [or ministering spirits] and are sent to ·help [serve] those who will ·receive [L inherit] salvation.

God’s Final Word: His Son

In the past God spoke(A) to our ancestors through the prophets(B) at many times and in various ways,(C) but in these last days(D) he has spoken to us by his Son,(E) whom he appointed heir(F) of all things, and through whom(G) also he made the universe.(H) The Son is the radiance of God’s glory(I) and the exact representation of his being,(J) sustaining all things(K) by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,(L) he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.(M) So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.(N)

The Son Superior to Angels

For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father”[a]?(O)

Or again,

“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son”[b]?(P)

And again, when God brings his firstborn(Q) into the world,(R) he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”[c](S)

In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,
    and his servants flames of fire.”[d](T)

But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;(U)
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions(V)
    by anointing you with the oil(W) of joy.”[e](X)

10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.(Y)
11 They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.(Z)
12 You will roll them up like a robe;
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,(AA)
    and your years will never end.”[f](AB)

13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand(AC)
    until I make your enemies
    a footstool(AD) for your feet”[g]?(AE)

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits(AF) sent to serve those who will inherit(AG) salvation?(AH)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 1:5 Psalm 2:7
  2. Hebrews 1:5 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13
  3. Hebrews 1:6 Deut. 32:43 (see Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint)
  4. Hebrews 1:7 Psalm 104:4
  5. Hebrews 1:9 Psalm 45:6,7
  6. Hebrews 1:12 Psalm 102:25-27
  7. Hebrews 1:13 Psalm 110:1