HEB 1:4 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT having become far superior to the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they.

UST These things about him mean that he is much greater than the spiritual beings. In the same way, the name that God now calls him is greater than their names.

BSB [So] He became as far superior to the angels as [the] name He has inherited [is] excellent beyond theirs.

BLB having become by so much superior to the angels, as much as He has inherited a name more excellent beyond theirs.

AICNT having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

OEB having shown himself as much greater than the angels as the name that he has inherited surpasses theirs.

WEBBE having become as much better than the angels as the more excellent name he has inherited is better than theirs.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Thus he became so far better than the angels as he has inherited a name superior to theirs.

LSV having become so much better than the messengers, as He inherited a more excellent name than them.

FBV He was placed much higher than the angels since he received a greater name than them.

TCNT having become as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

T4T By doing that, he showed that he was very much greater than the angels, to the extent that his relationship [MTY] to God, as his Son, is more excellent than the relationship the angels have to God.

LEB having become by so much better than the angels, by as much as he has inherited a more excellent name than theirs.

BBE Having become by so much better than the angels, as the name which is his heritage is more noble than theirs.

Moff and thus he is superior to the angels, as he has inherited a Name superior to theirs.

Wymth having become as far superior to the angels as the Name He possesses by inheritance is more excellent than theirs.

ASV having become by so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they.

DRA Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they.

YLT having become so much better than the messengers, as he did inherit a more excellent name than they.

Drby taking a place by so much better than the angels, as he inherits a name more excellent than they.

RV having become by so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they.
(having become by so much better than the angels, as he hath/has inherited a more excellent name than they. )

SLT Being so much better than the angels, inasmuch as he has inherited a more distinguished name than they.

Wbstr Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

KJB-1769 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
(Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath/has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. )

KJB-1611 Being made so much better then the Angels, as hee hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent Name then they.
(Being made so much better then the Angels, as he hath/has by inheritance obtained a more excellent Name then they.)

Bshps Beyng so much more excellent then the Angels, as he hath by inheritaunce obtayned a more excellent name then they.
(Being so much more excellent then the Angels, as he hath/has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name then they.)

Gnva And is made so much more excellent then the Angels, in as much as hee hath obteined a more excellent Name then they.
(And is made so much more excellent then the Angels, in as much as he hath/has obtained a more excellent Name then they. )

Cvdl beynge eue as moch more excellet the ye angels, as he hath optayned a more excellet name then they.
(being eve/even as much more excellent the ye/you_all angels, as he hath/has obtained a more excellent name then they.)

TNT and is more excellent then the angels in as moche as he hath by inheritaunce obteyned an excellenter name then have they.
(and is more excellent then the angels in as much as he hath/has by inheritance obteyned an excellenter name then have they. )

Wycl and so myche is maad betere than aungels, bi hou myche he hath eneritid a more dyuerse name bifor hem.
(and so much is made better than angels, by how much he hath/has eneritid a more diverse/various name before hem.)

Luth so viel besser worden denn die Engel, so gar viel einen höhern Namen er vor ihnen ererbet hat.
(so many better been because/than the angel, so even many a higher name(s) he before/in_front_of to_them inheritt has.)

ClVg tanto melior angelis effectus, quanto differentius præ illis nomen hæreditavit.[fn]
(so_much better to/by/with_the_messengers/angels effects, how_much differentius before to_them name thesereditavit. )

1.4 Tanto melior. In psalmo tamen ait: Paulo minus minoratus est ab angelis Psal. 8.. Hic eisdem melior dicitur. Et sicut illud secundum humanam naturam, ita et hoc secundum divinam dictum esse posset intelligi, nisi adderetur effectus, per quod aperitur, quod hic loquitur de eo secundum carnem. Nam secundum hoc quod Patris substantiæ consubstantialis agnoscitur, non est factus, sed natus: de eo ergo sermo versatur secundum humanam naturam, secundum quam et minor fuit angelis passione, et major et melior etiam gratiæ plenitudine, de qua et ipsi angeli ad mensuram accipiunt. Differentius nomen. Dum fuit mortalis, differens nomen habuit, quia angeli ministrabant ei. Postquam immortalis, magis differens. Et quia hoc habere posset, et non pro illis, addit præ illis, id est, valde differens a nomine angelorum, hoc est nomen quod est super omne nomen, scilicet Deus, sive Filius, quod revera dignius est illo quo illi dicuntur angeli, id est nuntii. Filii enim nomen proprietatem ostendit, non adoptionem, quia nisi esset proprius Filius, non posset ex hoc Apostolus amplitudinem honoris asserere. Proprius autem Filius est de ipso Patre genitus. Si autem adoptionis gratia esset Filius, non solum Patre, sed etiam angelis minor esset.

1.4 Tanto better. In psalm nevertheless he_said: Paulo minus minortus it_is away to/by/with_the_messengers/angels Psal. 8.. Here/This to_the_same better it_is_said. And like it/this/that after/second human nature, so/thus and this after/second divine said to_be could to_be_understood, except to_addtur effects, through that opens, that this/here speaks from/about by_him after/second the_flesh. For/Surely after/second this that Father's substances consubstancelis lambscitur, not/no it_is became, but born: from/about by_him therefore speech is_engaged after/second human nature, after/second how and minor it_was to/by/with_the_messengers/angels passionately, and major/greater and better also thanks fullness, from/about which and themselves messengers/angels to measure they_accept. Differentius name. While it_was mortalis, differens name had, because messengers/angels served to_him. Postquam immortalis, more differens. And because this to_have could, and not/no for to_them, adds before to_them, that it_is, very_much differens from by_name of_messengers/angels, this it_is name that it_is over everything name, namely God, if/or Son, that really dignius it_is that/there where them are_said messengers/angels, that it_is news. Children because name properlytatem he_showed, not/no adoptionem, because except was proprius Son, not/no could from this Apostolus amplitudinem honour asserere. Proprius however Son it_is from/about himself Father genitus. When/But_if however adoptionis grace was Son, not/no only Father, but also to/by/with_the_messengers/angels minor was.

UGNT τοσούτῳ κρείττων γενόμενος τῶν ἀγγέλων, ὅσῳ διαφορώτερον παρ’ αὐτοὺς, κεκληρονόμηκεν ὄνομα.
(tosoutōi kreittōn genomenos tōn angelōn, hosōi diaforōteron par’ autous, keklaʸronomaʸken onoma.)

SBL-GNT τοσούτῳ κρείττων γενόμενος τῶν ἀγγέλων ὅσῳ διαφορώτερον παρʼ αὐτοὺς κεκληρονόμηκεν ὄνομα.
(tosoutōi kreittōn genomenos tōn angelōn hosōi diaforōteron parʼ autous keklaʸronomaʸken onoma.)

RP-GNT τοσούτῳ κρείττων γενόμενος τῶν ἀγγέλων, ὅσῳ διαφορώτερον παρ' αὐτοὺς κεκληρονόμηκεν ὄνομα.
(tosoutōi kreittōn genomenos tōn angelōn, hosōi diaforōteron par' autous keklaʸronomaʸken onoma.)

TC-GNT τοσούτῳ κρείττων γενόμενος τῶν ἀγγέλων, ὅσῳ διαφορώτερον παρ᾽ αὐτοὺς κεκληρονόμηκεν ὄνομα.
(tosoutōi kreittōn genomenos tōn angelōn, hosōi diaforōteron par autous keklaʸronomaʸken onoma. )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, orange:accents differ, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:1–4: Introduction: God has spoken through his Son

The first four verses of the book of Hebrews explain what the book is about. In the past God spoke to his people through his prophets. Now during this later time, he has spoken to his people through his own Son. God’s Son shows people who God is.

In 1:1–2a the author used parallelism to show a contrast between how God spoke in the past and how he speaks now. In the past God spoke through the prophets, but now God speaks to us through his Son. In your translation, it is important to emphasize this contrast, especially the fact that God now speaks to us by the Son.

1:1	1:2
in the past	in these last days
to our fathers	to us
through the prophets	by His Son

In Greek, the four verses in 1:1–4 are one long sentence that describes who the Son is and what he has done. It is common in Greek to have long sentences like this. Most English versions divide this section into several sentences. You may do what is natural in your language.

In 1:2b–3e there are seven important facts about God’s Son:

God appointed his Son to be heir of all things (an important theme in 1:5–6).
God created everything through his Son (an important theme in 1:7–14).
The Son reflects God’s glory (an important theme in 2:5–8).
The Son shows us exactly what God is like.
The Son keeps everything working by his powerful word.
The Son made a way to make people clean from their sin (an important theme in 2:10–17, 5:1–10, 7:1–28, and 9:1–10:18).
The Son sat down on the right side of God (see 1:13 and 8:1–2).

It is good to translate the section before you decide on a heading for it. Some other possible headings are:

God has revealed himself to us through his Son.

The greatness of the Son of God

Paragraph 1:1–4

There are several ways to arrange the phrases in 1:1–4. The BSB mostly follows the order of phrases in the Greek text. The NIV uses a different order. Compare the order of the phrases in the BSB and NIV below:

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… (BSB)

¹In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… (NIV)

The NIV puts the phrase “at many times and in various ways” at the end of 1:1 instead of at the beginning, as in the BSB. Use an order that is natural in your language.

1:4

In Greek 1:4 is part of the long sentence that began at 1:1. It concludes paragraph 1:1–4 with a statement about the Son’s greatness. This statement is also the theme of 1:5–14, so the GNT and GW begin a new section at 1:4. However, in most English versions 1:4 is the final statement of paragraph 1:1–4. The author of Hebrews often uses statements like this that conclude one section but also introduce the next one.

In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of clauses in this verse. See the General Comment on 1:4a–b at the end of 1:4b for suggestions.

So: In Greek 1:4 continues the sentence that began in 1:1. Some English versions supply a conjunction like So to indicate that 1:4 is a result of 1:2b–3. Some other ways to show this connection are:

Thus (NET)

This shows that (NLT)

He became as far superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs: This statement is a comparison. It indicates that God’s Son is much greater than the angels. The name that God gave to his Son after his Son made purification for sins (1:3d) is also much greater than the angels’ name. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is far greater than their names. (NLT)

He received a seat/position that is higher than the seat/position of all the angels, for the name he received from God was more honored than the name given to angels.Uma back translation on TW.

It is true that the angels are great and their names are honorable. But God’s Son surpasses them in greatness, and the name that God has given him also surpasses their name.

Translate the comparison in a natural way in your language.

1:4a

So He became as far superior to the angels

In this way he became much greater than the angels,
This shows that God has given him much greater honor/glory than the angels have.

He became…superior to the angels: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as He became…superior means “became greater than.” The Son had greater honor and authority than the angels before he came to earth. Then he became “a little lower than the angels” to die for our sins (2:9). When he finished providing that purification (1:3d), he sat down at God’s right hand (1:3e). At that time, he again became superior to the angels and received even more honor and authority than he had before.

Another way to translate He became…superior to the angels is:

has been given praiseworthiness/glory which is better than the glory of the angelsTagbanwa back translation on TW.

angels: The Greek word that the BSB translates as angels means “messengers.” It refers here to spirit beings who serve God. Sometimes God sends an angel to tell a message to human beings. He also sends angels to serve him in other ways. Some ways to translate this term are:

Use a descriptive word or phrase. For example:
messengers from God/heaven
good/holy spirit-beings
Use a local term that fits the biblical meaning.
In some areas the churches may already be using a borrowed term or a transliterated word for “angel.” Be sure that this term fits the biblical meaning. If some people do not understand the right meaning from this term, you may need to indicate the meaning in some way. For example:
angelos messengers from God
sacred angelos spirits

Be sure that your term for “angel” is different from your terms for “prophet” and “apostle.” See angel Meaning 1 in KBT for more information. If you translated this word in other books, check to see how you translated it there.

1:4b

as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs.

and he inherited/received a much greater name than they have.
In the same way the title Son which God gave him is more honorable/glorious than their title.

as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs: This clause is the second part of the comparison in 1:4a. Just as the Son himself is greater than the angels, he also inherited a name (title) that is greater than their name (title). In this context the verb inherited implies that he received the name from God. In some languages it is necessary to make that explicit. For example:

and God gave him a name that is much greater than theirs (NCV)

the name He has inherited: The word inherited is a verb form of the noun that the BSB translated as “heir” in 1:2b. The verb is used in a similar way here to mean “gained” or “received.”BDAG, page 547, lists “acquire, obtain, come into possession of” as the second meaning of this word. God’s Son gained this name because God gave it to him. The verb does not imply here that the Son received the name when someone died. Some ways to translate He has inherited in this context are:

he has been given a name (GW)

the name God gave him (GNT)

the name that he received from God

Translate the meaning in a similar way as you translated “heir” in 1:2. In some languages it may be necessary to specify the name that the Son received. If that is true in your language, you may supply “Son” as the quotations in 1:5 indicate.Montefiore (page 39) says, “The name which Jesus has by right must be the name of the Son, as the succeeding verses establish.” Lane (page 17) says, “In verse 4 the superior name is almost certainly the acclamation ‘my son’ of Psalm 2:7 quoted in verse 5….” Ellingworth (page 105) states, “The immediate context suggests that the ‘name’ is that of Son….” An Exegetical Summary of Hebrews (page 31) lists thirteen commentaries that follow this view. For example:

he has been given the name Son of God

the name: The Greek word that the BSB translates as name refers to the authority and role that the Son has. It does not refer here to a name that people called him, such as “Jesus” or “Emmanuel.” It may refer either to his role as God’s Son or to his role in general. Some other ways to translate name in this context are:

authority

position/status

title

excellent beyond: In this context the phrase excellent beyond has almost the same meaning as “superior to” earlier in this verse. It continues the comparison between God’s Son and the angels. As he is much greater than they are, his name is also much greater. You should use an appropriate way in your language to describe an excellent role or rank.

In some languages it may be helpful to use the same word for the comparison in both places. For example:

The Son was made greater than the angels, just as the name that God gave him is greater than theirs. (GNT)

theirs: The pronoun theirs is a short way to refer to “their name,” which the author compares to the Son’s “name.” The word “name” is implied. It refers to the angels’ rank and authority. In some languages it is necessary to translate “name” explicitly here. For example:

their name

their authority/title

General Comment on 1:4a–b

In the Greek text, 1:4 is a long sentence that compares the Son and his name to the angels and their name. In some languages it is more natural to make a comparison by making two separate statements that contrast with each other. For example:

The angels are not great; the Son is great. Likewise, the name that God gave the angels is not great; the name he gave his Son is great.

In this division the author gave evidence to prove that Jesus is greater than the angels. This evidence was important because people honored the angels as the ones who delivered God’s law to Moses.Deuteronomy 33:2; Acts 7:38, 7:53; Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 2:2. See the section on Logical Development of the Theme of Hebrews to see how the author used this division in developing the theme of Hebrews.

The word “angels” in 1:4 is the link to the remaining verses of chapters 1 and 2. The Notes divides Division 1:5–2:18 into three sections that compare Jesus with the angels:Within these sections there are many different contrasts between the angels and the Son. However, these section headings focus on the major contrasts in the section. One of the techniques used to determine the major focus of each of the sections was to observe the ideas which were repeated in later sections of the book due to chiastic patterning of the text.

1:5–14There is some evidence that 1:5–6 and 1:7–14 are different points to the author. See Heath 2011:133, 300–304. Koester asserts the integrity of Heb 1:5–6 as a smaller unit (2001:199–202). However, many English versions and commentaries combine 1:5–6 and 1:7–14 into one section, although most start a new paragraph with verse 7. The REB and NET place verses 6 and 7 within the same paragraph.	The Son is greater than the angels because God calls Jesus his Son
2:1–4	Warning: Do not ignore Jesus’ message.
2:5–18	The Son is greater because he calls us his brothers and understands our weakness.

Notice that a warning occurs in 2:1–4 before the final contrast is given in 2:5–18. Use a natural way in your language for a person to give a warning in the process of explaining a topic.

Consider whether you want to have division headings in your translation. Many versions do not have them, but they can be helpful to show more about the structure of Hebrews. Another possible heading for this division is:

God’s Son is Superior to the Angels (GW)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

γενόμενος

˓having˒_become

The words having become could introduce: (1) an explanation of what “sitting at God’s right” side ([1:3](../01/03.md)) means. Alternate translation: [thus, he has become] (2) a result that comes from “sitting at God’s right hand” ([1:3](../01/03.md)). Alternate translation: [so, he has become] or [therefore, he has become]

τοσούτῳ κρείττων γενόμενος τῶν ἀγγέλων, ὅσῳ διαφορώτερον παρ’ αὐτοὺς, κεκληρονόμηκεν ὄνομα

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Τοσούτῳ κρείττων γενόμενος τῶν ἀγγέλων ὅσῳ διαφορώτερον πάρʼ αὐτούς κεκληρονόμηκεν ὄνομα)

The author uses a comparison that indicates that the difference in “superiority” between the Son and the angels is the same as the difference between the Son’s name and the names of the angels. Consider clear ways to indicate such a comparison in your language. Alternate translation: [having become as much superior to the angels as the name that he has inherited is more excellent than theirs]

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / extrainfo

διαφορώτερον & ὄνομα

more_special & ˓a˒_name

The author does not clarify what name this is. It could be the title “Son,” the title “Lord,” the name “Jesus,” or God’s own special name, “Yahweh.” Since the author did not clarify to what name he is referring, it is best to refer to a name or title without stating what it is. Alternate translation: [a more excellent title]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

κεκληρονόμηκεν

˱he˲_˓has˒_inherited

The author speaks as if Jesus were a child who would receive property that a parent passes on to their heir when the parent dies. He speaks in this way to indicate that Jesus receives a name from God the Father, although this does not mean that God the Father has died. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [he has received] or [God has given him]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

παρ’ αὐτοὺς

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. He omits these words because he stated them in the first half of the comparison (a name). If your language needs these words to make a complete sentence, you could include them here. Alternate translation: [than their names]

Parallel HEB 1:4

Section 1:1–4: Introduction: God has spoken through his Son

Paragraph 1:1–4

1:4

1:4a

1:4b

General Comment on 1:4a–b