Hebrews 2:6

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 2:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But one hath somewhere testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But one hath somewhere testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Hebrews 2:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6But one hath somewhere testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

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 one in a certain place testified, etc..] That is, David, for he is the penman of the psalm, out of which the following words are taken; and though his name is not mentioned by the apostle, nor the particular place, or the psalm pointed at, as in (<441333>Acts 13:33,35) yet this was not through ignorance of either, nor out of disrespect to the penman; but because the apostle is writing to Jews, who were conversant with the Scriptures, and knew full well who said the words, and where they were: and it is usual with the Jews to cite passages in this manner; and the form by which the passage is introduced, by the word testified, is quite agreeable to their way of citing Scripture, of which…”
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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
“But--It is not to angels the Gospel kingdom is subject, BUT . . . one . . . testified--the usual way of quoting Scripture to readers familiar with it. Psa 8:5-7 praises Jehovah for exalting MAN, so as to subject all the works of God on earth to him: this dignity having been lost by the first Adam, is realized only in Christ the Son of man, the Representative Man and Head of our redeemed race. Thus Paul proves that it is to MAN, not to angels, that God has subjected the "world to come." In Heb 2:6-8, MAN is spoken of in general ("him . . . him . . . his); then at Heb 2:9, first JESUS is introduced as fulfilling, as man, all the conditions of the prophecy, and passing through death Himself;…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But one in a certain place testified - The apostle was writing to those who were supposed to be familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures, and where it would be necessary only to make a reference in general without mentioning the name. The place which is quoted here is Psalms 8:4-6. The “argument” of the apostle is this, that there stood in the sacred Scriptures a declaration that “all things were placed under the control and jurisdiction of man,” but that that had not yet been accomplished. It was not true (Hebrews 2:8) that all things were subject to him, and the complete truth of that declaration would be found only in the jurisdiction conferred on the Messiah - the man by way of eminence - the…”
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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
“What is man - To the vast expanse of heaven, to the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained! This psalm seems to have been composed by David, in a clear, moonshiny, and starlight night, while he was contemplating the wonderful fabric of heaven; because in his magnificent description of its luminaries, he takes no notice of the sun, the most glorious of them all. The words here cited concerning dominion were doubtless in some sense applicable to Adam; although in their complete and highest sense, they belong to none but the second Adam. Or the son of man, that thou visitest him - The sense rises: we are mindful of him that is absent; but to visit, denotes the care of a present God. Psa…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:6-8 These verses quote Ps 8:4-6. Psalm 8 speaks of the position God has given humanity, but the author of Hebrews applies it as a prediction about Christ, who is the fulfillment and representative head of humanity. 2:6 What are mere mortals: These two lines of the psalm proclaim God’s special attention to human beings. • a son of man (or the Son of Man): The phrase son of man speaks of human existence; it parallels mere mortals in the previous line. In the Gospels Jesus frequently referred to himself with this phrase.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“in: Heb 4:4, Heb 5:6; Pe1 1:11 What: Job 7:17, Job 7:18, Job 15:14; Psa 8:4-8, Psa 144:3; Isa 40:17 the son: Job 25:6; Psa 146:3, Psa 146:4; Isa 51:12 visitest: Gen 50:24; Luk 1:68, Luk 1:78, Luk 7:16 Hebrews 2:7”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification