Hebrews 3:2

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 3:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also was Moses in all his house.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also was Moses in all his house.
Hebrews 3:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also was Moses in all his house.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Who was faithful to him that appointed him, etc..] Or “made him”; Christ, as man, was made, but not as God; nor is the apostle speaking of the divine nature of Christ, but of his offices: wherefore this phrase designs the constitution and settlement of him in office; which may take in the eternal appointment of him as Mediator; the open promise of him in time; his mission, unction, and attestation from God; and his manifestation and declaration as such, at his ascension and session at God's right hand, when he was made Lord and Christ. Now, as Mediator, he had a trust reposed in him; as the persons of all God's elect, and a fulness of all grace for them; the treasures of wisdom and…”
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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
“He first notes the feature of resemblance between Moses and Christ, in order to conciliate the Hebrew Christians whom He addressed, and who still entertained a very high opinion of Moses; he afterwards brings forward Christ's superiority to Moses. Who was faithful--The Greek implies also that He still is faithful, namely, as our mediating High Priest, faithful to the trust God has assigned Him (Heb 2:17). So Moses in God's house (Num 12:7). appointed him--"made Him" HIGH PRIEST; to be supplied from the preceding context. Greek, "made"; so in Heb 5:5; Sa1 12:6, Margin; Act 2:36; so the Greek fathers. Not as ALFORD, with AMBROSE and the Latins, "created Him," that is, as man, in His…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Who was faithful - see the note, Hebrews 2:17. He performed with fidelity all the functions entrusted to him. To him that appointed him - Margin, “made.” The word “made,” however, is used in the sense of constituted, or appointed. The meaning is, that he was faithful to God. Perhaps Paul urges on them the necessity of considering “his fidelity” in order to keep “them” from the danger of apostasy. A leading object of this Epistle was to preserve those whom he had addressed from apostatizing from God amidst the temptations and trials to which they were exposed. In doing this, what could be a more powerful argument than to direct their attention to the unwavering constancy and fidelity of 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
“His house - The church of Israel, then the peculiar family of God. Num 12:7. Hebrews 3:3”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:2 Jesus was faithful to God and to the task to which the Father had appointed him (5:7-10; 12:1-3; Phil 2:5-11), just as Moses had been (Num 12:7). Many Jews of the first century regarded Moses as the greatest person in history, of even higher status than the angels.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“faithful: Heb 2:17; Joh 6:38-40, Joh 7:18, Joh 8:29, Joh 15:10, Joh 17:4 appointed: Gr. made, Sa1 12:6 as: Heb 3:5; Num 12:7; Deu 4:5; Ti1 1:12 all: Heb 3:6; Eph 2:22; Ti1 3:15 Hebrews 3:3”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification