Hebrews 2

Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things we heard, lest perhaps we drift away. 2For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment; 3how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation which at the first having been spoken through the Lord1, was confirmed to us by those who heard; 4God2 also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit3, according to his own will? 5For he didn’t subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels. 6But one has somewhere testified, saying,

“What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him? 7For you have made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honour. You make him ruler over the works of your hands. 8You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” 4

For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not see all things subjected to him, yet. 9But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, ‘ISA5, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour, that by the grace of God he should taste death for everyone. 10For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For both he who makes them holy and those who are made holy are all from one, for which reason he is not ashamed to call them brothers6, 12saying,

“I will declare your Name to my brothers. In the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 7

13And again, 

“I will put my trust in him.” 8 

And again, 

“Behold, here I am and the children whom GOD9 has given me.” 10

14Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself shared in the same, that through death he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, Iblis11, 15and might deliver those who all their lives were held in bondage through fear of death. 16For most assuredly, it is not to angels that he gives help, but to the seed of Ibrahim. 17Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

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  1. 2:3 Lord, translated from the Greek kurios. Depending on context, it can refer to: 1. God, 2. ’ISA AL-MASIH, 3. men in authority, such as kings, landlords, etc., 4. a respectful salutation meaning, “sir.” In this verse, it clearly refers to ‘ISA AL-MASIH. ↩︎
  2. 2:4 God, English translation of theos. It is the Greek equivalent of elohim and eloah (Hebrew) which are related to allah (Arabic) and alaha (Syriac), all of which translate as “God,” and refer to the one true God. ↩︎
  3. 2:4 Holy Spirit, or Spirit of God; not an angel, created being, nor an impersonal force, but the uncreated, eternal Spirit of God himself. The Spirit was present and active at the creation of heaven and earth (see Genesis 1:2), and today lives inside of every follower of ‘ISA AL-MASIH, empowering them to live in a way pleasing to God. ↩︎
  4. 2:6-8 Quoting the Zabur 8:4-6 which says: “What is man, that you think of him? The son of man, that you care for him? For you have made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honour. You make him ruler over the works of your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” ↩︎
  5. 2:9 ‘ISA – The names ‘ISA (Arabic), ISHO (Syriac) and JESUS (Greek, IESOUS) are all derived from the Hebrew name YEHOSHUA, which means “YAHWEH saves.” (YAHWEH is God’s personal name revealed to Prophet Musa in the Taurat, Exodus 3:15 – God said moreover to Musa, “You shall tell Bani-Israel this, ‘YAHWEH, the God of your fathers, the God of Ibrahim, the God of Ishaq, and the God of Yaqub, has sent me to you.’ This is my Name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered to all generations.”) ↩︎
  6. 2:11 The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.” ↩︎
  7. 2:12 Quoting the Zabur 22:22 which says: “I will declare your Name to my brothers.
    In the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise    .” ↩︎
  8. 2:13 Quoting the Taurat, Shaya 8:17 which says: “I will wait for YAHWEH, who hides his face from the house of Yaqub. I will put my trust in him.” ↩︎
  9. 2:13 GOD, the use of all capital letters means that the quoted original Hebrew text uses God’s Name, YAHWEH, which God-fearing Jews to this day do not utter out of respect. YAHWEH is the Name God revealed to Prophet Musa in the Taurat, Exodus 3:15 – God said moreover to Musa, “You shall tell Bani-Israel this, ‘YAHWEH, the God of your fathers, the God of Ibrahim, the God of Ishaq, and the God of Yaqub, has sent me to you.’ This is my Name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered to all generations.” ↩︎
  10. 2:13 Quoting the Taurat, Shaya 8:18 which says: “Behold, I and the children whom YAHWEH has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from YAHWEH All-Powerful, who dwells in Al-Quds.” ↩︎
  11. 2:14 Iblis, derived from the Greek diabolos, which also gives rise to the English word, devil. ↩︎