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Revised Standard Version

Hebrews 1:4

having become as much superior to angels as the name he has obtained is more excellent than theirs.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Angel (a Spirit);   Scofield Reference Index - Angels;   Summary;   Thompson Chain Reference - Better;   Christ;   Dispensation, New;   Divinity;   Divinity-Humanity;   Name;   New;   Preeminence;   Wonderful;   The Topic Concordance - Jesus Christ;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Preciousness of Christ;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Birthright;   Exodus;   Firstborn;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - God;   Inheritance;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Universalists;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Angel;   Birthright;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Heir;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Ascension of Christ;   Christ, Christology;   Cross, Crucifixion;   Hebrews;   History;   Word;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Canon of the New Testament;   Grace;   Hebrews, Epistle to;   Logos;   Plain;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Angels;   Evolution (Christ and);   Hebrews Epistle to the;   Heir;   Logos;   Lots;   Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs;   Transfiguration (2);   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Birthright;   God;   Jehu;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Name;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Ascension;   Excellent;   Hebrews, Epistle to the;   Inheritance;   Nahum, the Book of;   Person of Christ;   Priest;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Angels;   Birthright;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for April 25;   Every Day Light - Devotion for December 2;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
The Son became much greater than the angels, and God gave him a name that is much greater than any of their names.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
and is more excellent then the angels in as moche as he hath by inheritaunce obteyned an excellenter name then have they.
Hebrew Names Version
having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have.
New American Standard Bible
having become so much better than the angels, to the extent that He has inherited a more excellent name than they.
New Century Version
The Son became much greater than the angels, and God gave him a name that is much greater than theirs.
Update Bible Version
having become by so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they.
Webster's Bible Translation
Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
English Standard Version
having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
World English Bible
having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Being made so much higher than the angels, as he hath by inheritance a more excellent name than they.
Weymouth's New Testament
having become as far superior to the angels as the Name He possesses by inheritance is more excellent than theirs.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and so myche is maad betere than aungels, bi hou myche he hath eneritid a more dyuerse name bifor hem.
English Revised Version
having become by so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they.
Berean Standard Bible
So He became as far superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs.
Contemporary English Version
He had become much greater than the angels, and the name he was given is far greater than any of theirs.
Amplified Bible
having become as much superior to angels, since He has inherited a more excellent and glorious name than they [that is, Son—the name above all names].
American Standard Version
having become by so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they.
Bible in Basic English
Having become by so much better than the angels, as the name which is his heritage is more noble than theirs.
Complete Jewish Bible
So he has become much better than angels, and the name God has given him is superior to theirs.
Darby Translation
taking a place by so much better than the angels, as he inherits a name more excellent than they.
International Standard Version
and became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is better than theirs.[xr]
Etheridge Translation
And this (person) is altogether more excellent than the angels, by so much as the name he hath inherited (is) more excellent than theirs.
Murdock Translation
And he is altogether superior to the angels, as he hath also inherited a name which excelleth theirs.
King James Version (1611)
Being made so much better then the Angels, as hee hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent Name then they.
New Living Translation
This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.
New Life Bible
The Son of God was made greater and better than the angels. God gave Him a greater name than theirs.
New Revised Standard
having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And is made so much more excellent then the Angels, in as much as hee hath obteined a more excellent Name then they.
George Lamsa Translation
And he is altogether greater than the angels, just as the name he has inherited is a more excellent name than theirs.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
By so much becoming superior to the messengers, by as much as, going beyond them, he hath inherited a more distinguished name.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Being made so much better than the angels as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Beyng so much more excellent then the Angels, as he hath by inheritaunce obtayned a more excellent name then they.
Good News Translation
The Son was made greater than the angels, just as the name that God gave him is greater than theirs.
Christian Standard Bible®
So he became superior to the angels, just as the name he inherited is more excellent than theirs.
King James Version
Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Lexham English Bible
having become by so much better than the angels, by as much as he has inherited a more excellent name than theirs.
Literal Translation
having become so much better than the angels, He has inherited a name more excellent than they.
Young's Literal Translation
having become so much better than the messengers, as he did inherit a more excellent name than they.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
beynge eue as moch more excellet the ye angels, as he hath optayned a more excellet name then they.
Mace New Testament (1729)
He is so much superiour to the angels, as the authority he possesses is more excellent than theirs.
THE MESSAGE
Going through a long line of prophets, God has been addressing our ancestors in different ways for centuries. Recently he spoke to us directly through his Son. By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God's nature. He holds everything together by what he says—powerful words! After he finished the sacrifice for sins, the Son took his honored place high in the heavens right alongside God, far higher than any angel in rank and rule. Did God ever say to an angel, "You're my Son; today I celebrate you" or "I'm his Father, he's my Son"? When he presents his honored Son to the world, he says, "All angels must worship him." Regarding angels he says, The messengers are winds, the servants are tongues of fire. But he says to the Son, You're God, and on the throne for good; your rule makes everything right. You love it when things are right; you hate it when things are wrong. That is why God, your God, poured fragrant oil on your head, Marking you out as king, far above your dear companions. And again to the Son, You, Master, started it all, laid earth's foundations, then crafted the stars in the sky. Earth and sky will wear out, but not you; they become threadbare like an old coat; You'll fold them up like a worn-out cloak, and lay them away on the shelf. But you'll stay the same, year after year; you'll never fade, you'll never wear out. And did he ever say anything like this to an angel? Sit alongside me here on my throne Until I make your enemies a stool for your feet. Isn't it obvious that all angels are sent to help out with those lined up to receive salvation?
New English Translation
Thus he became so far better than the angels as he has inherited a name superior to theirs.
New King James Version
having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Simplified Cowboy Version
This makes him far above any angel and his name is greater than all their names combined.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.
Legacy Standard Bible
having become so much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

Contextual Overview

4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has obtained is more excellent than theirs. 5 For to what angel did God ever say, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"? Or again, "I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son"? 6 And again, when he brings the first-born into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." 7 Of the angels he says, "Who makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire." 8 But of the Son he says, "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever, the righteous scepter is the scepter of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, thy God, has anointed thee with the oil of gladness beyond thy comrades." 10 And, "Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; 11 they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, 12 like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." 13 But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet"?

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

so: Hebrews 1:9, Hebrews 2:9, Ephesians 1:21, Colossians 1:18, Colossians 2:10, 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 1 Peter 3:22, Revelation 5:11, Revelation 5:12

by: Psalms 2:7, Psalms 2:8, Philippians 2:9-11

Reciprocal: Genesis 32:1 - angels Psalms 45:2 - fairer Acts 10:3 - an

Cross-References

Genesis 1:10
God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:12
The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:18
to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:25
And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the cattle according to their kinds, and everything that creeps upon the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:31
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.
Ecclesiastes 2:13
Then I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.
Ecclesiastes 11:7
Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Being made so much better than the angels,.... Christ is so much better than the angels, as the Creator, than the creature; as an independent being, than a dependent one; as he that blesses, than he that is blessed; as he that is worshipped, than he that worships: as a king, than his subjects; as a master, than his servants; and as he that sends, than he that is sent: and Christ may be said to be "made so", when he was manifested and declared to be so; and he was actually preferred to them, and exalted above them in human nature, after he had expiated the sins of his people, and when he was set down at the right hand of God, as in the latter part of the preceding verse, with which these words stand connected; for in his state of humiliation, and through his sufferings and death, he was made lower than they; but when he was risen from the dead, and ascended to heaven, he was placed at the right hand of God, where none of them ever was, or ever will be: besides, the phrase, "being made", signifies no more than that "he was"; and so the Syriac version renders it, "and he was so much better than the angels"; and so the Ethiopic version, "he is so much better": and this is observed, to prove him to be more excellent than any creature, since he is preferred to the most excellent of creatures; and to show, that the Gospel dispensation is superior to the legal dispensation, which was introduced by the ministration of angels; and to take off the Jews from the worship of angels, to which they were prone: and this doctrine of his could not be well denied by them, since it was the faith of the Jewish church, that the Messiah should be preferred to the angels: for in their ancient writings they say of him, he shall be exalted above Abraham, he shall be lifted up above Moses, and be higher than the ministering angels s; and that he is above them, appears from what follows,

as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they; which is that of the Son of God, a name peculiar to him; and which belongs to him in such a sense as it does not to angels, as is evident from the following verse: and though this name is not founded on his office, as Mediator, but arises from his nature and relation to God; yet he was declared to be the Son of God, and it was made manifest, that this name of right belonged to him, upon the discharge of his office, at his resurrection and ascension to heaven; and therefore he is said to obtain it by inheritance; or he appeared to inherit it of right, and that it was his possession for evermore.

s Tanchuma spud Huls. p. 321.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Being made so much better - Being exalted so much above the angels. The word “better” here does not refer to moral character, but to exaltation of rank. As Mediator; as the Son of God in our nature, he is exalted far above the angels.

Than the angels - Than all angels of every rank; see notes on Ephesians 1:21; compare 1 Peter 3:22. “Angels, and authorities, and powers being made subject unto him.” He is exalted to his mediatorial throne, and all things are placed beneath his feet.

As he hath by inheritance - Or in virtue of his name - the Son of God; an exaltation such as is implied in that name. As a son has a rank in a family above servants; as he has a control over the property above that which servants have, so it is with the Mediator. He is the Son of God: angels are the servants of God, and the servants of the church. They occupy a place in the universe compared with what he occupies, similar to the place which servants in a family occupy compared with that which a son has. To illustrate and prove this is the design of the remainder of this chapter. The argument which the apostle insists on is, that the title “the Son of God is to be given to him alone. It has been conferred on no others. Though the angels, and though saints are called in general “sons of God,” yet the title” the Son of God” has been given to him only. As the apostle was writing to Hebrews, he makes his appeal to the Hebrew Scriptures alone for the confirmation of this opinion.

A more excellent name - To wit, the name Son. It is a more honorable and exalted name than has ever been bestowed on them. It involves more exalted privileges, and entitles him on whom it is bestowed to higher respect and honor than any name ever bestowed on them.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Hebrews 1:4. So much better than the angels — Another argument in favour of the Divinity of our Lord. The Jews had the highest opinion of the transcendent excellence of angels, they even associate them with God in the creation of the world, and suppose them to be of the privy council of the Most High; and thus they understand Genesis 1:26: Let us make man in our own image, in our own likeness; "And the Lord said to the ministering angels that stood before him, and who were created the second day, Let us make man," c. See the Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel. And they even allow them to be worshipped for the sake of their Creator, and as his representatives though they will not allow them to be worshipped for their own sake. As, therefore, the Jews considered them next to God, and none entitled to their adoration but God; on their own ground the apostle proves Jesus Christ to be God, because God commanded all the angels of heaven to worship him. He, therefore, who is greater than the angels, and is the object of their adoration, is God. But Jesus Christ is greater than the angels, and the object of their adoration; therefore Jesus Christ must be God.

By inheritance obtained — κεκληρονομηκεν ονομα. The verb κληρονομειν signifies generally to participate, possess, obtain, or acquire; and is so used by the purest Greek writers: Kypke has produced several examples of it from Demosthenes. It is not by inheritance that Christ possesses a more excellent name than angels, but as God: he has it naturally and essentially; and, as God manifested in the flesh, he has it in consequence of his humiliation, sufferings, and meritorious death. See Philippians 2:9.


 
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