Hi folks, we’re going to take a detailed look at Hebrews 1:6 today but, by way of review let’s read the first six verses of Hebrews, chapter one, in the NIV, first.
Hebrews 1:1-6 (NIV) In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. [3] The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. [4] So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. [5] For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father"? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"? [6] And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."
Now verse 6 in the NKJV is a little different. Let’s read that:
Hebrews 1:6 (NKJV) But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM."
There are two differences in this verse between the NIV and the NKJV. One difference is the placement of the word again, and we’ll discuss that shortly, and the other difference is that in the NKJV the phrase "LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM" is in all capital letters which means the translators are indicating that this phrase comes from the Old Testament. The NASB does the same thing. Personally, I find this helpful.
But where is this phrase "LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM" in the Old Testament? Scholars say that it is from Psalm 97:7 in the Septuagint. Two scholars in particular have helped me here. I’m referring to a Puritan, John Owen and his seven volume Commentary on Hebrews, and to John MacArthur and his Commentary on Hebrews. And if you wish to, you can verify this for yourself. If you search the NKJV of the Bible, you will not find the phrase "LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM" anywhere in the Old Testament. You won’t find it in the NIV either. And that is because it is a quote from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament, made by a group of about 70 rabbis, 270 years or so before Yeshua came into the world. Because the New Testament writers wrote in Greek, they often quoted Old Testament Scriptures from the Septuagint. And if you search the English translation of the Septuagint electronically, yourself, in the widely available e-Sword program, you will find it in one place only, in Psalm 97:7. The scholars of old had to really know their Bibles, including the Septuagint, in order to recognize that this phrase was quoted from Psalm 97:7 since these scholars didn’t have the benefit of electronic searching which we have today.
Modern translations such as the NIV translate Psalm 97:7 this way:
Psalms 97:7 (NIV) All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols— worship him, all you gods!
But that’s not what Hebrews 1:6 says. It says this, in the NIV:
Hebrews 1:6 (NIV) And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."
The reason for the difference is that Hebrews 1:6 uses the Septuagint translation of the original Hebrew which reads like this:
Psalms 97:7 (Brenton) Let all that worship graven images be ashamed, who boast of their idols; worship him, all ye his angels.
Why the change from gods, meaning idols, in Psalm 97:7 in the Hebrew Bible to all God’s angels in Hebrews 1:6? In the Hebrew, in Psalm 97:7, the word we are interested in is Elohim, a plural word that usually refers to God, who has a plural nature, but it can also refer to false gods or idols. It doesn’t usually refer to angels. The usual Hebrew word for angels is malachim. In fact, in the Hebrew Bible, Elohim is only translated as angels in the NIV and NKJV one time, in Psalm 8:5, a very familiar verse to most Bible students. Let’s look at that verse in context:
Psalms 8:4-5 (NIV) what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? [5] You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.
This is a wonderful verse, and we’ll look at it in detail when we get to chapter two because it is quoted there.
However, here, in Hebrews 1:6, the word for angels, chosen by the authors of the Septuagint definitely seems to be the right translation. Why is that? In order to answer that question, we need to know the context of the seventh verse of Psalm 97. So, let’s look at Psalm 97, in the Septuagint, to know what the Psalm is about. When we do this, we see that this Psalm, except for the use of the word angels instead of gods, in the Septuagint version, is quite similar to frequently used English versions such as the NIV and NKJV.
What is the message of Psalm 97, then? It is a message very compatible with the return of the Lord, His second coming, in glory and in judgement. Is this important to know in trying to interpret Hebrews 1:6? It definitely is. Let’s read that verse once more:
Hebrews 1:6 (NIV) And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."
And let’s look at it in the NKJV:
Hebrews 1:6 (NKJV) But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM."
Now, what does again mean in this verse? We mentioned earlier that the placement of again in this verse was not the same in the NIV as in the NKJV. Please stick with me folks and you’ll see the relevance of this in a moment.
The word again can simply indicate repetition. Is that what it means here? If the answer is yes that would be as if the Holy Spirit was saying to us something like this, “I told you before and now I’m telling you again, when I brought Jesus into the world, I told all the angels to worship Him”. That way of understanding this verse would lead us to conclude that the verse is referring to the Messiah’s first coming. That is what the NIV seems to suggest.
Or does again in this verse refer to the future, i.e., Christ’s second coming? How can we tell which is correct? Does again simply mean repetition here or does it refer to a future event? If Psalm 97:7 comes from a Psalm that talks about the second coming then I think the word again in Hebrews 1:6 refers to the future which is what the NKJV seems to suggest. Let’s look at Psalm 97, the first 9 verses, in the Septuagint and see if it can help us answer this question:
Psalms 97:1-9 (Brenton) For David, when his land is established. The Lord reigns, let the earth exult, let many islands rejoice. [2] Cloud, and darkness are round about him; righteousness and judgment are the establishment of his throne. [3] Fire shall go before him, and burn up his enemies round about. [4] His lightnings appeared to the world; the earth saw, and trembled. [5] The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. [6] The heavens have declared his righteousness, and all the people have seen his glory. [7] Let all that worship graven images be ashamed, who boast of their idols; worship him, all ye his angels. [8] Sion heard and rejoiced; and the daughters of Judea exulted, because of thy judgments, O Lord. [9] For thou art Lord most high over all the earth; thou art greatly exalted above all gods.
Isn’t this an incredible Psalm! It does not speak of the first advent. It speaks of a return in glory and the judgement of unbelievers. This is Jesus returning. This is the Day of the Lord! The angels will be with Him when He returns, and surely they will be worshipping Him.
I think there’s another part of Hebrews 1:6, that we need to comment on before we finish today’s study and that is the phrase when God brings His firstborn into the world. Because we have strong Scriptural evidence that this verse refers to the second coming, we can say that God is bringing His firstborn into the world again. So firstborn here cannot refer to the virgin birth of Messiah in Bethlehem. That happened at the first advent. Firstborn here refers to something very much like only begotten which we talked about when we studied verse 4 of this chapter. Since we know that Jesus is not a created being - He is God and has always existed – we know that firstborn does not refer to the birth of a created being as some would incorrectly say that this means. No, firstborn here means of first importance, God’s One and Only Son. The King James version says it well:
Hebrews 1:6 (KJV) And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Remember verses 4 & 5 of this chapter that we studied recently?
Let’s read them again. I think the NKJV is more helpful here:
Hebrews 1:4-5 (NKJV) having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. [5] For to which of the angels did He ever say: "YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU"? And again: "I WILL BE TO HIM A FATHER, AND HE SHALL BE TO ME A SON"?
The Name that Jesus inherited that was even higher than any name that He had before the cross, was the first begotten Son or as in this verse, Hebrews 1:6, firstborn which means of first importance. It’s a special Name, a title, and a title of the highest rank. John MacArthur says it well; let me read what he says about this from his commentary on Hebrews:
In this passage Christ is called the first-born. Here again, many sects and cults claim a proof-text to show that Jesus is a created being. “Look! He’s firstborn! You see? He was born like all the rest of us!” A related supposed proof-text is Colossians 1:15, “And He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” But “first-born” (prōtotokos) has nothing to do with time. It refers to position. It is not a description but a title, meaning “the chief one.” The concept was associated with firstborn because the oldest son usually was heir to the father’s entire estate.[1]
Thanks for that, Dr. MacArthur.
So, let’s sum up Hebrews 1:6. I’m going to paraphrase it:
When God again brings His Firstborn to earth, this time in glory and power and for judgement, all of God’s angels will worship Him.
As we close, we need to say, Wasn’t the message of this verse just astounding? Folks, this message is good news! Jesus is coming again. Have you received Jesus as your Savior, Messiah, and Lord? Have you accepted the precious gift of salvation? If you have not, please do it today, with all your heart! I want to see you in heaven with me!
Thank you for listening and God bless you, my friends.
This is Art Wolinsky, until the next time.
[1] MacArthur, John F., Jr. Hebrews. Chicago: Moody Press, 1983. Print. MacArthur New Testament Commentary.
Hebrews 1:6