Hebrews 1:8

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 1:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “but 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

but 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.
Hebrews 1:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But unto the Son, he saith, etc..] What he does not to angels, and which sets him infinitely above them; which shows him to be a Prince and King, and not a servant, or minister; and which even ascribes deity to him: thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: this, with what follows in this verse, and the next, is taken out of (<194506>Psalm 45:6,7) which psalm is not spoken of Solomon, to whom many things in it will not agree; he was not fairer than other men; nor was he a warrior; nor was his throne for ever and ever; and much less a divine person, and the object of worship; but the Messiah, and so the ancient Jews understand it: the Targum applies it to him, and mentions him by name in…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“O God--the Greek has the article to mark emphasis (Psa 45:6-7). for ever . . . righteousness--Everlasting duration and righteousness go together (Psa 45:2; Psa 89:14). a sceptre of righteousness--literally, "a rod of rectitude," or "straightforwardness." The oldest manuscripts prefix "and" (compare Est 4:11).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But unto the Son he saith - In Psalms 45:6-7. The fact that the writer of this Epistle makes this application of the Psalm to the Messiah, proves that it was so applied in his time, or that it would be readily admitted to be applicable to him. It has been generally admitted, by both Jewish and Christian interpreters, to have such a reference. Even those who have doubted its primary applicability to the Messiah, have regarded it as referring to him in a secondary sense. Many have supposed that it referred to Solomon in the primary sense, and that it has a secondary reference to the Messiah. To me it seems most probable that it had an original and exclusive reference to the Messiah. It is to…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“O God - God, in the singular number, is never in scripture used absolutely of any but the supreme God. Thy reign, of which the sceptre is the ensign, is full of justice and equity. Psa 45:6-7. Hebrews 1:9”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:8-9 These verses, quoting Ps 45:6-7, 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, 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; 1 Kgs 19:15-16). God has anointed his Son, Jesus Christ, as King.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Thy throne: Psa 45:6, Psa 45:7 O God: Heb 3:3, Heb 3:4; Isa 7:14, Isa 9:6, Isa 9:7, Isa 45:21, Isa 45:22, Isa 45:25; Jer 23:6; Hos 1:7; Zac 13:9; Mal 3:1; Mat 1:23; Luk 1:16, Luk 1:17; Joh 10:30, Joh 10:33, Joh 20:28; Rom 9:5; Ti1 3:16; Tit 2:13, Tit 2:14; Jo1 5:20 for: Psa 145:13; Isa 9:7; Deu 2:37, Deu 7:14; Co1 15:25; Pe2 1:11 a sceptre: Sa2 23:3; Psa 72:1-4, Psa 72:7, Psa 72:11-14, Psa 99:4; Isa 9:7, Isa 32:1, Isa 32:2; Jer 23:5, Jer 38:15; Zac 9:9 righteousness: Gr. rightness, or, straightness Hebrews 1:9”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification