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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - Hebrews 2:6 - 2:6
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
In a certain place (πού)
Only here and Heb 4:4, signifying indefinite quotation. It does not mean that the writer is ignorant of the author or of the place, but assumes that the readers know it, and that it is a matter of no moment who said it or where it is written.
Testified (διεμαρτυράτο)
Mostly in Luke and Acts. Only here in Hebrews. In Paul only in 1st Thessalonians. See on 1Th 2:12. It implies a solemn, earnest testimony.
What is man
The Hebrew interrogation, מָה, what, what kind of, implies “how small or insignificant” compared with the array of the heavenly bodies; not “how great is man.”
The son of man
Hebrew son of Adam, with a reference to his earthly nature as formed out of the dust. Very often in Ezekiel as a form of address to the prophet, lxx, υἱὲ ἀνθρώπου son of man. The direct reference of these words cannot be to the Messiah, yet one is reminded that the Son of man was Christ's own title for himself.
Visitest (ἐπισκέπτῃ)
The primary sense of the verb is to look upon; hence, to look after or inspect; to visit in order to inspect or help. Similarly the Latin visere means both to look at and to visit. An ἐπίσκοπος is an overlooker, and ἐπισκοπὴ is visitation. The verb only here in Hebrews, oP., very often in lxx. See on Mat 25:36. Here in the sense of graciously and helpfully regarding; caring for.
Thou madest him a little lower than the angels (ἠλάττωσας)
Rend. thou didst for some little time make him lower than the angels. Ἐλαττοῦν to make less or inferior, only here, Heb 2:9, and Joh 3:30. Often in lxx (principally Sirach).Βραχύ τι, the Hebrew as A.V. a little; of degree. The lxx translators interpreted it, apparently, of time, “for some little time.” Although there is precedent for both meanings in both Class. and N.T., the idea of time better suits the whole line of thought, and would probably, as Robertson Smith observes, have appeared to a Greek reader the more natural interpretation. For this sense see Isa 57:17; Act 5:34. He who has been described as superior to the angels, was, for a short time, on the same plane with man, and identified with an economy which was under the administration of angels. This temporary subordination to angels was followed by permanent elevation over them. Παρ' ἀγγέλους. The Hebrew is מֵאֱלֹהִים, than God. Elohim is used in a wide sense in O.T.: see, for instance, Psa 82:6, where God addresses the judges by that titles and declares that he himself called them to their office and gave them their name and dignity. Comp. Joh 10:34 and Psa 29:1, lxx υἱοὶ θεοῦ sons of God, A.V. mighty. The lxx translators understand it, not as representing the personal God, but that which is divine, in which sense it would be appropriate to angels as having divine qualities.