Hebrews Chapter 1

New Testament Epistle (General) 14 Verses

What is Hebrews 1 about?

The superiority of Christ over angels, Moses, the Levitical priesthood, and the old covenant sacrificial system — the new and better covenant. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners,
2hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in [his] Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;
3who being the effulgence of his glory, and the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
4having become by so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they.
5For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee? and again, I will be to him a Father, And he shall be to me a Son?
6And when he again bringeth in the firstborn into the world he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
7And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels winds, And his ministers a flame a fire:
8but of the Son [he saith,] Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; And the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
9Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee With the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of thy hands:
11They shall perish; but thou continuest: And they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
12And as a mantle shalt thou roll them up, As a garment, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, And thy years shall not fail.
13But of which of the angels hath he said at any time, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet?
14Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners, etc..] The apostle begins the epistle with an account of the revelation God has made of his mind and will in former times: the author of this revelation is God, not essentially, but personally considered, even God the Father, as distinguished from his Son in the next verse; for the revelation under the Old Testament is divine, as well as that under the New; in this they both agree, in whatsoever else they differ: and this revelation was made at several times, at different seasons, and to different persons; and consisted of a variety of things relating to doctrine…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“THE HIGHEST OF ALL REVELATIONS IS GIVEN US NOW IN THE SON OF GOD, WHO IS GREATER THAN THE ANGELS, AND WHO, HAVING COMPLETED REDEMPTION, SITS ENTHRONED AT GOD'S RIGHT HAND. (Heb 1:1-14) at sundry times--Greek, "in many portions." All was not revealed to each one prophet; but one received one portion of revelation, and another another. To Noah the quarter of the world to which Messiah should belong was revealed; to Abraham, the nation; to Jacob, the tribe; to David and Isaiah, the family; to Micah, the town of nativity; to Daniel, the exact time; to Malachi, the coming of His forerunner, and His second advent;…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“God who at sundry times - The commencement of this Epistle varies from all the others which Paul wrote. In every other instance he at first announces his name, and the name of the church or of the individual to whom he wrote. In regard to the reason why he here varies from that custom, see the introduction, section 3. This commences with the full acknowledgment of his belief that God had made important revelations in past times, but that now he had communicated his will in a manner that more especially claimed their attention. This announcement was of particular importance here. He was writing to those who had…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“God, who at sundry times - The creation was revealed in the time of Adam; the last judgment, in the time of Enoch: and so at various times, and in various degrees, more explicit knowledge was given. In divers manners - In visions, in dreams, and by revelations of various kinds. Both these are opposed to the one entire and perfect revelation which he has made to us by Jesus Christ. The very number of the prophets showed that they prophesied only "in part." Of old - There were no prophets for a large tract of time before Christ came, that the great Prophet might be the more earnestly expected. Spake - A part is put…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“1:1-4 Ancient sermons often began with an introduction meant to grab the hearer’s attention and introduce the sermon’s main topics. In Hebrews, the first four verses form a single, eloquent Greek sentence built around the main clause, God . . . has spoken. Most English translations present these verses as several sentences for ease of reading. 1:1-2 Long ago. . . . And now: These verses deal with two time periods in which God has spoken, addressing the differences between the two eras in parallel fashion. 1:1 Long ago referred to the time before the Messiah’s coming. For the author of Hebrews, this primarily…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“at: Gen 3:15, Gen 6:3, Gen 6:13-22, Gen 8:15-19, 9:1-17, Gen 12:1-3, Gen 26:2-5, Gen 28:12-15; Gen 32:24-30, Gen 46:2-4; Exod. 3:1-22; Luk 24:27, Luk 24:44; Act 28:23; Pe1 1:10-12; Pe2 1:20, Pe2 1:21 in: Num 12:6-8; Joe 2:28 the fathers: Luk 1:55, Luk 1:72; Joh 7:22; Act 13:32 Hebrews 1:2”
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