Heb 1:5-14 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Heb 1:5-14: 1:5-14 In these ten verses, the author uses a variety of Old Testament texts to show that Jesus is superior to the angels. Among ancient Jewish and Christian interpreters, Old Testament passages were strung together one after the other in “chain quotations” (called “pearl stringing”) to convince the hearers or readers of a certain theological point by presenting a lot of scriptural evidence together. 1:5 God ... said: This verse quotes Ps 2:7 and 2 Sam 7:14 . By exalting Jesus to his right hand (see Acts 1:9-11 ; 2:32-36 ; 7:55-56 ), the Father proclaimed his unique relationship with the Son. • Today I have become your Father (or Today I reveal you as my Son ): Jesus did not become the Son at the exaltation—he had been involved in creation (Heb 1:2 )—but the exaltation verified his identity to all.

Summary for Heb 1:5-14: 1:5-14 ^a In these ten verses, the author uses a variety of Old Testament texts to show that Jesus is superior to the angels. Among ancient Jewish and Christian interpreters, Old Testament passages were strung together one after the other in “chain quotations” (called “pearl stringing”) to convince the hearers or readers of a certain theological point by presenting a lot of scriptural evidence together. 1:5 ^b God ... said: This verse quotes Ps 2:7 ^c and 2 Sam 7:14 ^d. By exalting Jesus to his right hand (see Acts 1:9-11 ^e; 2:32-36 ^f; 7:55-56 ^g), the Father proclaimed his unique relationship with the Son.

• Today I have become your Father (or Today I reveal you as my Son): Jesus did not become the Son at the exaltation—he had been involved in creation (Heb 1:2 ^h)—but the exaltation verified his identity to all.
1:6 ⁱ The supreme (or firstborn) Son shared the authority of the father, inherited most of his property, and was especially favored. In the New Testament, “firstborn” most frequently refers to Christ’s supremacy both in the church and in the created order; his resurrection is often given as the evidence for this status (Acts 13:33 ^j; Rom 1:4 ^k; 8:29 ^l; Col 1:15 ^m, 18 ⁿ; Rev 1:5 ^o; cp. Heb 12:23 ^p, where believers are called firstborn children).

• “Let all of God’s angels worship him”: This quotation from Deut 32:43 ^q demonstrates the lower status of the angels in that they worship the Son (see also Ps 97:7 ^r).
1:7 ^s This verse quotes Ps 104:4 ^t to show that the angels are messengers or servants and, therefore, of a lesser rank than the Son, whom they serve.

• In the Old Testament, angels are sometimes associated with winds and fire (see Exod 3:2 ^u; Judg 6:21 ^v; 13:16 ^w, 20 ^x; 2 Sam 22:11 ^y; Pss 18:10 ^z; 35:5 ^aa), which is why angels are mentioned in connection with God’s lordship over nature.
Summary for Heb 1:8-9: 1:8-9 ^ab These verses, quoting Ps 45:6-7 ^ac, proclaim the Son as the divine, just, eternal, anointed King of the universe.

• to the Son he says: Jesus is addressed as God; in Heb 1:9 ^ad, your God is a reference to God the Father.

• pouring out the oil of joy: Olive oil was used to anoint kings of Israel at the inauguration of their rule (1 Sam 10:1 ^ae; 1 Kgs 19:15-16 ^af). God has anointed his Son, Jesus Christ, as King.
Summary for Heb 1:10-12: 1:10-12 ^ag These verses, quoting Ps 102:25-27 ^ah, celebrate the Son as both the creator and the one who brings the created order to an end. All created things will wear out like old clothing, and the Son will discard them (cp. Heb 2:5 ^ai; 2 Pet 3:13 ^aj; Rev 21:1 ^ak). By contrast, the Son of God will live forever.
1:13 ^al In climactic fashion, the author ends his string of Old Testament quotations (see study note on 1:5-14) by quoting from Ps 110:1 ^am in celebration of Christ’s exaltation (see also study notes on Luke 20:42-43; 22:69; 1 Cor 15:25; Eph 1:19-22).

• The image of the Son’s enemies as a footstool under his feet represents their absolute subjugation (see Heb 2:8 ^an). In the ancient world, a victorious king would place his foot on the neck or back of an enemy as a symbolic act of domination.
1:14 ^ao Therefore, angels are only servants: The author restates his conclusion. God sends out the angels to care for his people, who will inherit salvation at the end of the age (see 9:28 ^ap).