HEB 2:7 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, orange:accusative/object, 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 You made him a little lower than the angels;
⇔  you crowned him with glory and honor.[fn]

Some older version add and you have put him over the works of your hands.

UST Despite that, you created humans to be only slightly less powerful than the spiritual beings,
⇔ and you have greatly honored and empowered them.

BSB You made him a little lower[fn] than [the] angels;
⇔ You crowned him with glory and honor[fn]

2:7 Or a little while lower; also in verse 9

2:7 WH and TR include and set him over the works of Your hands.

2:7 Or a little while lower; also in verse 9

2:7 WH and TR include and set him over the works of Your hands.

BLB You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor;

AICNT You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, [[and you have set him over the works of your hands,]][fn]

2:7, and you have set him over the works of your hands: Later manuscripts add TR.

OEB You have made them, for a while, lower than angels;
⇔ with glory and honour you have crowned them;
⇔ you have set them over all that your hands have made;

WEBBE You made him a little lower than the angels.
⇔ You crowned him with glory and honour.[fn]

2:7 TR adds “and set him over the works of your hands”

WMBB (Same as above including footnotes)

NET You made him lower than the angels for a little while.
⇔  You crowned him with glory and honor.

LSV You made him [a] little less than messengers,
You crowned him with glory and honor,
And set him over the works of Your hands,

FBV You set him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, and placed him over all your creation.[fn]

2:7 Instead of just referring to humanity, this can also refer to Jesus: “You made him less than the angels for a while, and then you crowned him with glory and honor.” The whole passage can be seen in this dual way, referring to Jesus as the son of man, both representative and Savior of humanity.

TCNT Yoʋ made him a little lower than the angels
⇔ and crowned him with glory and [fn]honor;

2:7 honor; yoʋ 73.6% ¦ honor; yoʋ set him over the works of yoʋr hands, and TR WH 26.1%

T4T So it is surprising that you have caused people to be for a little while inferior in rank to angels.
⇔ You have greatly honored [DOU] them [MET], as kings are honored with a crown.

LEB • You made him for a short time lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor;[fn]

2:6 Several important manuscripts add “and placed him over the works of your hands” to the end of v. 7

BBE You made him a little lower than the angels; you gave him a crown of glory and honour, and made him ruler over all the works of your hands:

Moff For a little while thou hast put him lower than the angels,
⇔ crowning him with glory and honour,

Wymth Thou hast made him only a little inferior to the angels; with glory and honour Thou hast crowned him, and hast set him to govern the works of Thy hands.

ASV Thou madest him a little lower than the angels;
⇔ Thou crownedst him with glory and honor,
⇔ And didst set him over the works of thy hands:

DRA Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels: thou hast crowned him with glory and honour, and hast set him over the works of thy hands:

YLT Thou didst make him some little less than messengers, with glory and honour Thou didst crown him, and didst set him over the works of Thy hands,

Drby Thou hast made him some little inferior to the angels; thou hast crowned him with glory and honour, [and hast set him over the works of thy hands;]

RV Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honour, And didst set him over the works of thy hands:
(Thou/You madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou/You crowned him with glory and honour, And didst/did set him over the works of thy/your hands: )

SLT Thou didst render him some little while less than angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst place him over the work of thine hands:

Wbstr Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

KJB-1769 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
(Thou/You madest him a little lower than the angels; thou/you crowned him with glory and honour, and didst/did set him over the works of thy/your hands: )

KJB-1611 Thou madest him a [fn]little lower then the Angels, thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him ouer the workes of thy hands.
(Thou/You madest him a little lower then the Angels, thou/you crowned him with glory and honour, and didst/did set him over the works of thy/your hands.)

2:7 Or, a little while inferiour to.

Bshps Thou madest hym for a litle whyle lower then the Angels, thou hast crowned him with glorie and honour, and hast set hym aboue the workes of thy handes.
(Thou/You madest him for a little while lower then the Angels, thou/you hast crowned him with glory and honour, and hast set him above the works of thy/your hands.)

Gnva Thou madest him a litle inferiour to ye Angels: thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and hast set him aboue the workes of thine hands.
(Thou/You madest him a little inferior to ye/you_all Angels: thou/you crowned him with glory and honour, and hast set him above the works of thine/your hands. )

Cvdl After thou haddest for a litle season made him lower the ye angels, thou crownedst him with honoure and glory, and hast set him aboue the workes of thy handes.
(After thou/you hadst/had for a little season made him lower the ye/you_all angels, thou/you crowned him with honour and glory, and hast set him above the works of thy/your hands.)

TNT After thou haddest for a season made him lower then the angels: thou crounedst him with honour and glory and hast set him above the workes of thy hondes.
(After thou/you hadst/had for a season made him lower then the angels: thou/you crouned him with honour and glory and hast set him above the works of thy/your hands. )

Wycl Thou hast maad hym a litil lesse than aungels; thou hast corowned hym with glorie and onour; and thou hast ordeyned him on the werkis of thin hondis.
(Thou/You hast made him a little less than angels; thou/you hast crowned him with glory and honour; and thou/you hast ordained him on the works of thine/your hands.)

Luth Du hast ihn eine kleine Zeit der Engel mangeln lassen; mit Preis und Ehren hast du ihn gekrönet und hast ihn gesetzt über die Werke deiner Hände;
(You(sg) have him/it a/one small time/period the/of_the angel lack let; with price/prize and honour(n) have you(sg) him/it crowned and have him/it set(v) above the work your(s) hands;)

ClVg Minuisti eum paulo minus ab angelis: gloria et honore coronasti eum: et constituisti eum super opera manuum tuarum.[fn]
(Minuisti him paulo minus away to/by/with_the_messengers/angels: glory and with_honour crownsti him: and to_establishsti him over works hands of_yours(pl). )

2.7 Gloria. Claritate immortalitatis honore, eo quod sic flectitur omne genu. Super opera manuum, digniora, scilicet, angelos et homines, quæ per excellentiam dicuntur opera manuum.

2.7 Glory. Claritate immortalitatis with_honour, by_him that so flectitur everything knee. Above/Over works hands, digniora, namely, messenger/angels and people/men, which through excellentiam are_said works hands.

UGNT ἠλάττωσας αὐτὸν, βραχύ τι παρ’ ἀγγέλους; δόξῃ καὶ τιμῇ ἐστεφάνωσας αὐτόν,
(aʸlattōsas auton, braⱪu ti par’ angelous; doxaʸ kai timaʸ estefanōsas auton,)

SBL-GNT ἠλάττωσας αὐτὸν βραχύ τι παρʼ ἀγγέλους, δόξῃ καὶ τιμῇ ἐστεφάνωσας ⸀αὐτόν,
(aʸlattōsas auton braⱪu ti parʼ angelous, doxaʸ kai timaʸ estefanōsas ⸀auton,)

RP-GNT Ἠλάττωσας αὐτὸν βραχύ τι παρ' ἀγγέλους· δόξῃ καὶ τιμῇ ἐστεφάνωσας αὐτόν·
(Aʸlattōsas auton braⱪu ti par' angelous; doxaʸ kai timaʸ estefanōsas auton;)

TC-GNT Ἠλάττωσας αὐτὸν βραχύ τι παρ᾽ ἀγγέλους·
⇔ δόξῃ καὶ τιμῇ ἐστεφάνωσας [fn]αὐτόν·
(Aʸlattōsas auton braⱪu ti par angelous;
⇔ doxaʸ kai timaʸ estefanōsas auton; )

2:7 αυτον 73.6% ¦ αυτον και κατεστησας αυτον επι τα εργα των χειρων σου TR WH 26.1%

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 2:5–18: Jesus, the Son of God, became a human being

In the previous section, the author stated the seriousness of ignoring the Son’s message of salvation. In this section he gave more reasons why Jesus is greater than the angels and why we should take Jesus’ salvation more seriously than the law that was received through the angels. Some of these reasons are:

Jesus, not the angels, will control the future world (2:5)
Jesus humbled himself in order to make himself like us:
- In our lower position (2:7, 2:9)
- In our suffering and death (2:10, 2:14)
- As his brothers, God’s children (2:11–14, 2:17)
Jesus can:
- Bring us to glory (2:10)
- Bring us to salvation (2:10)
- Make us holy (2:11)
- Break the power of death (2:14)
- Sets us free from the fear of death (2:15)
- Help us (he did not come to help angels) (2:16)
- Be a merciful and faithful high priest before God (2:17)
- Take away the sins of people (2:17)
- Help us when we are tempted (2:18)
- [Angels cannot do this]

Some other possible headings for this section are:

The Son became human to save us

Christ Became like Humans (NCV)

Jesus Became One of Us to Help Us (GW)

Paragraph 2:5–9

There is an interpretation issue in 2:6–8. These verses contain a quote from Psalm 8:4–6. The psalm refers to “man” and “son of man,” and uses words like “him” and “his.” In the psalm these words refer to human beings (mankind) in general. However, there are two ways to interpret these forms when they are quoted here in Hebrews 2:

They refer to both humanity and to Jesus as the Messiah. For example:
What is a mortal that you should remember him, the Son of Man that you care for him? (GW) (BSB, NIV84, RSV, ESV, GW, REB, NASB, NET, NLT96, JBP, KJV)
They refer only to humanity. This interpretation is implied by English versions that use plural or collective forms. For example:
What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them? (NRSV) (NIV, GNT, CEV, NRSV, NJB, NCV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The author of Hebrews often used verses from the OT as evidence that Jesus is the Messiah. A number of commentaries, including recent ones, also support this interpretation.There is a growing number of scholars supporting the Messianic tones of Hebrews 2:6–8: Koester (page 221) says, “A tension in the psalm enables it to bear two different lines of interpretation…. The psalm asks about God’s will for ‘man,’ which can be understood as a question about humankind generally so that Hebrews can deal with God’s design for people…. The psalm can also be taken as a statement about Jesus, who is God’s Son and heir of all things.” Lane (47) says that when the author of Hebrews quotes the statement in Psalm 8 “You put everything in subjection under his feet” (verse 8a), he “immediately adds, we do not yet…see everything subject to his control.” Lane sees this “not yet” as crucial, “for it indicates that the writer found in the quotation a prophecy that will eventually be fulfilled.” He continues (page 48) to explain that since the psalmist recognized that this prophecy has not yet been fulfilled, the author of Hebrews sees “that the promised subjection has reference not to humankind in general (verse 8), but to Jesus (verse 9), whom God has appointed ‘heir of everything.” See also O’Brien (pages 91–93) and Attridge (page 72). For a detailed article on this topic see Guthrie and Quinn (2006: pages 235–246).

In some languages it may not be possible to use a singular form to refer to human beings in general. If this is true in your language, you may want to include a footnote in your translation. For example:

Some scholars believe that “son of man” is used in the psalm to refer to humans in general. However, the author of Hebrews also used it to refer to Jesus as the Messiah who “leads many sons to glory” (2:10). Jesus is the one who fulfilled the psalm’s prophecy that God put all things under mankind’s control.

It is clear that in the OT the psalmist is praising God for choosing “human beings” to rule over creation. However, the author of Hebrews does not have only humanity in mind. He also uses the psalm to refer to the Messiah. He implies that the psalmist also spoke about Jesus becoming human and being crowned with glory and honor.

2:7

There is a textual issue at the end of this verse. Some Greek manuscripts include another clause that can be translated as “and set them over the works of your hands.”A number of English versions include notes with this option. For example, the NRSV note says, “Other ancient authorities add and set them over the works of your hands.” In these manuscripts this clause completes Psalm 8:6. The two textual options are:

Most Greek manuscripts do not have this clause, and most English versions do not translate it. (BSB, NIV, CEV, NJB, NLT, GNT, NRSV, GW, NCV, REB, NET, ESV)
Other Greek manuscripts have this Greek clause. This is followed by only a few English versions. For example:
and have appointed him over the works of your handsThe NASB uses all capital letters for Old Testament quotations. For the Translator’s Notes these letters have been changed to lower case to correspond to what the other versions have done. (NASB) (KJV, NASB, JBP)

It is recommended that you follow option (1).The NET note has a more detailed summary of this issue: “Several witnesses, many of them early and important…have at the end of verse 7, “You have given him dominion over the works of your hands.” Other MSS, not quite as impressive in weight, lack the words…. In spite of the impressive external evidence for the longer reading, it is most likely a scribal addition to conform the text of Hebrews to Psalm 8:6 (8:7 LXX). Conformity of a NT quotation of the OT to the LXX was a routine scribal activity….” Most English versions follow this option. However, since there is also good manuscript evidence for option (2), you may include it in a footnote, as many English versions do. For example, the GNT has this footnote:

Many manuscripts add: You made them rulers over everything you made (see Psalm 8:6).

2:7a

You made him a little lower than the angels;

You^(sing) caused him to have lower status than the angels for a little while.
For a short time, you^(sing) gave the human being less status/honor than the angels,

You made him a little lower than the angels: There are two ways to interpret the phrase a little in this clause:

It refers to a short time. For example:
You made him lower than the angels for a little while (NET) (ESV, GNT, NRSV, NET, REB, NLT96, NCV, NASB, NJB)The following commentators follow this view: Hughes (Eerdmans), Moffatt (ICC), Ellingworth (NIGTC), Ellingworth and Nida (TH), Lane (WBC).
It refers to a slightly lower status. For example:
You made him a little lower than the angels. (GW) (BSB, NIV, NLT, GW, KJV)The following commentators follow this view: Montefiore (HNTC), Lenski, and Miller.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The words that the author quoted from Psalm 2 referred to the status of people, but here in Hebrews the author used the words to refer to a period of time.

Another way to translate this interpretation is:

For this short time

him: The pronoun him is the same as the one that was used in 2:6. See the note on 2:6b. Make sure to indicate this clearly. In English this is done by using the appropriate pronoun.

lower: The word lower refers here to having less status or dignity than someone else. Some other ways to translate it are:

more humble/unimportant

power made less than

In some cultures there are figurative ways to say that someone has lower status than someone else. For example:

was downhill in status a littleUma back translation on TW.

Translate the meaning in a natural way in your language.

2:7b

You crowned him with glory and honor

You^(sing) honored him by giving him splendor/greatness and respect,
but then you^(sing) rewarded him with great authority and caused people to honor him.

You crowned him with glory and honor: This clause indicates that God rewarded man by giving him glory and honor. The text continues to refer here both to mankind and to the Messiah. The verb crowned is used in a figurative way. It refers to the custom of honoring someone by placing a wreath (“crown”) of leaves on his head.Among Greek people this custom was used to honor the winner of a race or other competition. Here the figure of speech indicates that God honored man by giving him authority and respect.

In some languages the metaphor of a “crown” may not have this meaning. Some other ways to translate the metaphor are:

you gave him an honored position/seatUma back translation on TW.

you caused him to be greatly respected

him: The pronoun him is the same as the one that was used in 2:7a.

glory and honor: In this context the words glory and honor are very similar in meaning. Both words refer to a position of great importance. In this context the importance is connected with authority to rule over God’s creation.

In some languages it may be more natural to use a single phrase to translate glory and honor. For example:

a position of great status/authority

Some other ways to translate glory and honor are:

greatly honored him like the honor of a king

made him like a great king who is admired/respected

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / yousingular

ἠλάττωσας αὐτὸν, βραχύ τι & ἐστεφάνωσας

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἠλάττωσας αὐτόν βραχύ τὶ πάρʼ ἀγγέλους δόξῃ καί τιμῇ ἐστεφάνωσας αὐτόν)

Since the author of the quotation is speaking to God, the word you in this verse is singular.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

αὐτὸν & αὐτόν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἠλάττωσας αὐτόν βραχύ τὶ πάρʼ ἀγγέλους δόξῃ καί τιμῇ ἐστεφάνωσας αὐτόν)

Just as in [2:6](../02/06.md), the word him could primarily refer to: (1) humans in general. Alternate translation: [him or her … him or her] (2) Jesus. Alternate translation: [him … him]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἠλάττωσας αὐτὸν, βραχύ τι παρ’ ἀγγέλους

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἠλάττωσας αὐτόν βραχύ τὶ πάρʼ ἀγγέλους δόξῃ καί τιμῇ ἐστεφάνωσας αὐτόν)

The quotation refers to how humans are lower than the angels. While he may have believed that this was true in terms of spatial placement, since angels live in heaven “above” and humans live on earth “below,” the point is primarily about status and power. Being lower means that humans have less status and power than angels. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable idiom or a phrase that describes how humans have less status and power than angels. Alternate translation: [You have given him a little less status than the angels] or [You have made him a little less important than the angels]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

βραχύ τι

little (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἠλάττωσας αὐτόν βραχύ τὶ πάρʼ ἀγγέλους δόξῃ καί τιμῇ ἐστεφάνωσας αὐτόν)

The phrase a little could refer primarily to place or to time. The author eventually applies the phrase to how Jesus was lower than the angels for a little time (See: [2:9](../02/09.md)). However, the quotation itself suggests that humans have a place that is a little lower. If that is true, then the author later uses a little to refer to time in a play on words. You could express a little so that it refers to: (1) place. Alternate translation: [a little bit] (2) time. Alternate translation: [for a little while]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

δόξῃ καὶ τιμῇ ἐστεφάνωσας αὐτόν

˱with˲_glory (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἠλάττωσας αὐτόν βραχύ τὶ πάρʼ ἀγγέλους δόξῃ καί τιμῇ ἐστεφάνωσας αὐτόν)

The quotation refers to the glory and honor that God gave to humans as if, together, they formed a crown to be placed on the head of a king to signify his power and authority. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [you gave him great glory and honor]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

δόξῃ καὶ τιμῇ

˱with˲_glory (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἠλάττωσας αὐτόν βραχύ τὶ πάρʼ ἀγγέλους δόξῃ καί τιμῇ ἐστεφάνωσας αὐτόν)

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of glory and honor, you could express the ideas by using adjectives such as “glorious” and “honorable,” or you could use verbal phrases. Alternate translation: [so that he is glorious and honorable]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

δόξῃ καὶ τιμῇ

˱with˲_glory (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἠλάττωσας αὐτόν βραχύ τὶ πάρʼ ἀγγέλους δόξῃ καί τιμῇ ἐστεφάνωσας αὐτόν)

The words glory and honor mean almost the same thing. The quotation uses both words to emphasize how much glory and honor God gave to humans. If you do not have two words that express this particular meaning, and if the repetition would be confusing, you could use one word or phrase here. Alternate translation: [with glory] or [with glorious honor]

Note 8 topic: translate-textvariants

τιμῇ

honor

After the word honor, many ancient manuscripts add the clause “and you have put him over the works of your hands.” This clause is in the psalm that the author quotes from (See: [Psalm 8:6](../../psa/08/06.md)). However, most likely the author did not include this clause because it was not important to the point he is making. Later, scribes probably added the clause because they knew that it was in the Psalm. If possible, do not include the clause here.

Parallel HEB 2:7

Section 2:5–18: Jesus, the Son of God, became a human being

Paragraph 2:5–9

2:7

2:7a

2:7b