Hebrews 1:10

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 1:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of thy hands:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of thy hands:
Hebrews 1:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of thy hands:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And thou Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth, etc..] The person here addressed, as the Lord or Jehovah, and as the Maker of the heavens and the earth, is the same with the Son spoken to, and of, before; for the words are a continuation of the speech to him, though they are taken from another psalm, from (<19A225>Psalm 102:25-27). The phrase, “thou, Lord” is taken from (<19A212>Psalm 102:12) and is the same with, “O my God”, (<19A224>Psalm 102:24) and whereas it is there said, “of old”, and here, in the beginning, the sense is the same; and agreeably to the Septuagint, and the apostle, Jarchi interprets it by hlyjtm, “at”, or “from the beginning”; and so the Targum…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And--In another passage (Psa 102:25-27) He says. in the beginning--English Version, Psa 102:25, "of old": Hebrew, "before," "aforetime." The Septuagint, "in the beginning" (as in Gen 1:1) answers by contrast to the end implied in "They shall perish," &c. The Greek order here (not in the Septuagint) is, "Thou in the beginning, O Lord," which throws the "Lord" into emphasis. "Christ is preached even in passages where many might contend that the Father was principally intended" [BENGEL]. laid the foundation of--"firmly founded" is included in the idea of the Greek. heavens--plural: not merely one, but manifold, and including various orders of heavenly intelligences (Eph 4:10). works of thine…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And - That is, “To add another instance;” or, “to the Son he saith in another place, or in the following language.” This is connected with Hebrews 1:8. “Unto the Son he saith Hebrews 1:8, Thy throne,” etc. - and Hebrews 1:10 he “also” saith, “Thou Lord,” etc. That this is the meaning is apparent, because: (1) The “object” of the whole quotation is to show the exalted character of the Son of God, and, (2) An address here to Yahweh would be wholly irrelevant. Why, in an argument designed to prove that the Son of God was superior to the angels, should the writer break out in an address to Yahweh in view of the fact that he had laid the foundations of the world, and that he himself would…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thou - The same to whom the discourse is addressed in the preceding verse. Psa 102:25-26 Hebrews 1:12”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:10-12 These verses, quoting Ps 102:25-27, 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; 2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1). By contrast, the Son of God will live forever.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Thou: Psa 102:25-27 in: Gen 1:1; Joh 1:1-3; Rev 3:14 hast: Pro 8:29; Isa 42:5, Isa 48:13, Isa 51:13; Jer 32:17; Zac 12:1 the works: Deu 4:19; Psa 8:3, Psa 8:4, Psa 19:1; Isa 64:8 Hebrews 1:11”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification