Hebrews 2:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: It has been testified somewhere, "What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him?

NIV: But there is a place where someone has testified: "What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him?

NASB: But someone has testified somewhere, saying, 'WHAT IS MAN, THAT YOU THINK OF HIM? OR A SON OF MAN, THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HIM?

CSB: But someone somewhere has testified: What is man that you remember him, or the son of man that you care for him?

NLT: For in one place the Scriptures say, 'What are mere mortals that you should think about them, or a son of man that you should care for him?

KJV: But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

NKJV: But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him?

To modern eyes and ears, it seems odd to refer to the Scripture as saying something "somewhere." However, the writer of Hebrews is just using flowery language—a turn of phrase the original readers would have recognized naturally. The audience of this letter are Jewish Christians, who are familiar with the Old Testament texts. So this phrasing is a bit like asking modern-day Christians, "doesn't the Bible say somewhere that God loved the world so much He sent His son? (John 3:16)" The "somewhere" phrasing, then, is really a reminder of something in the Scriptures which the readers obviously already know.

Verses 6, 7, and 8 of this passage cite Psalm 8:4–6. This Psalm praises God for using His creation—human beings—to rule the earth, instead of ruling it directly. The main point being made in the Psalm is that people are given great value by God, even though we really don't deserve it. And, not only are we valued, we are also given power and authority, which we likewise don't truly deserve. We're sinners, but God still holds us in a special place.

The writer of Hebrews will apply this idea to Jesus. God created mankind, and gave them power and authority, despite their sin. This means becoming human is not "beneath" God, and Messiah taking on a human form fits the destiny of man: to be in human form but to have authority in creation. This verse, in particular, hinges heavily on the psalmist's use of the term "son of man," which the Jewish people associated with the Promised One (Daniel 7:13–14).

Hebrews 2:5–18 explains why the Messiah, Jesus Christ, came in the form of a man, rather than being an angel. In order to serve as a true example, He had to experience our human suffering and temptation. By doing so, Jesus was able to become the ''Captain,'' or the ''Founder,'' of our salvation. His resurrection breaks the slavery we experience over our fear of death. By using more quotations from the Old Testament, the writer of Hebrews shows that this is exactly what God planned for all along.

Chapter 2 begins with a strong warning about the dangers of apostasy. Chapter 1 opened by explaining that Jesus Christ is the message of God. This chapter points out that those who have faith in Christ, but drift from that truth, will face dire consequences. The rest of the passage continues a series of proofs begun in Chapter 1. These are quotes from the Old Testament, used to prove that the Messiah is not an angel, but is superior to any created being. He is, in fact, identical to God. And yet, He became fully human in order to serve as our perfect high priest.

The first two chapters of Hebrews are meant to prove that Jesus Christ is superior to angels. Rather than seeing Jesus as a created being, or some form of exalted angel, He should be viewed as what He is: identical with God. These two chapters use extensive Old Testament quotes to prove this point. The first few verses of chapter 2 feature the first of several warnings within the book about the dangers of apostasy. Later chapters will demonstrate that Christ is also superior to other prophets, spiritual leaders, and priests.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.