Hebrews 1:4 - having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Hebrews 1:4" mean?
Hebrews 1:4, "having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have," is a pivotal verse in the opening argument of the Book of Hebrews. It's establishing the supremacy of Jesus Christ over angels, who held a very high position in the Jewish worldview. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"Having become so much better than the angels...": This refers to Jesus. The author is not suggesting that Jesus started out equal to angels and then surpassed them. Rather, it emphasizes that through his incarnation, perfect obedience, death, resurrection, and ascension, he has demonstrated and manifested his inherent superiority over angels. This is a past action with ongoing consequences, emphasizing Jesus' current position.
"...as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have.": The "name" in Hebrew thought represents the character, reputation, authority, and essence of a person. Jesus inherited a more excellent name, not in the sense that he was given a new title he didn't possess before, but rather that he revealed his pre-existing divine identity.
The "name" here likely refers to titles like "Son of God," "Lord," "Messiah," and ultimately, his divine nature as revealed throughout the Old Testament and now fully manifested in Jesus. The subsequent verses in Hebrews 1 elaborate on this by quoting Old Testament passages applied to Jesus. These scriptures attribute deity and sovereignty to him, qualities never ascribed to angels.
Angels, while powerful and messengers of God, are always portrayed as servants or messengers (Hebrews 1:14). They are created beings who worship God. Jesus, on the other hand, receives worship (Hebrews 1:6) and is called "God" by God the Father (Hebrews 1:8).
In summary, the verse argues that Jesus is superior to angels because he has a divinely inherited name (representing his very being and nature) that is far more excellent than anything attributed to angels. This superiority is not just a matter of rank or title, but of inherent divine nature and identity.
Key takeaways:
Supremacy of Christ: The main point is to establish the superiority of Jesus Christ over angels.
Divine Identity: The "more excellent name" signifies Jesus' divine nature and identity as the Son of God.
Inheritance vs. Bestowal: The term "inherited" suggests that this divine nature was inherent to Jesus from eternity, not something merely bestowed upon him.
Relevance to Readers: The author of Hebrews is likely addressing Jewish Christians who might have been tempted to return to the Old Covenant, which involved a great reverence for angels. The author is arguing that Jesus, who fulfills and surpasses the Old Covenant, is far greater than even the angels.
This verse is foundational for the rest of the book of Hebrews, which continues to build the case for Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God and the perfect high priest.
Hebrews 1:4 - having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have.
What does "Hebrews 1:4" mean?
Hebrews 1:4, "having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have," is a pivotal verse in the opening argument of the Book of Hebrews. It's establishing the supremacy of Jesus Christ over angels, who held a very high position in the Jewish worldview. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"Having become so much better than the angels...": This refers to Jesus. The author is not suggesting that Jesus started out equal to angels and then surpassed them. Rather, it emphasizes that through his incarnation, perfect obedience, death, resurrection, and ascension, he has demonstrated and manifested his inherent superiority over angels. This is a past action with ongoing consequences, emphasizing Jesus' current position.
"...as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have.": The "name" in Hebrew thought represents the character, reputation, authority, and essence of a person. Jesus inherited a more excellent name, not in the sense that he was given a new title he didn't possess before, but rather that he revealed his pre-existing divine identity.
The "name" here likely refers to titles like "Son of God," "Lord," "Messiah," and ultimately, his divine nature as revealed throughout the Old Testament and now fully manifested in Jesus. The subsequent verses in Hebrews 1 elaborate on this by quoting Old Testament passages applied to Jesus. These scriptures attribute deity and sovereignty to him, qualities never ascribed to angels.
Angels, while powerful and messengers of God, are always portrayed as servants or messengers (Hebrews 1:14). They are created beings who worship God. Jesus, on the other hand, receives worship (Hebrews 1:6) and is called "God" by God the Father (Hebrews 1:8).
In summary, the verse argues that Jesus is superior to angels because he has a divinely inherited name (representing his very being and nature) that is far more excellent than anything attributed to angels. This superiority is not just a matter of rank or title, but of inherent divine nature and identity.
Key takeaways:
Supremacy of Christ: The main point is to establish the superiority of Jesus Christ over angels.
Divine Identity: The "more excellent name" signifies Jesus' divine nature and identity as the Son of God.
Inheritance vs. Bestowal: The term "inherited" suggests that this divine nature was inherent to Jesus from eternity, not something merely bestowed upon him.
Relevance to Readers: The author of Hebrews is likely addressing Jewish Christians who might have been tempted to return to the Old Covenant, which involved a great reverence for angels. The author is arguing that Jesus, who fulfills and surpasses the Old Covenant, is far greater than even the angels.
This verse is foundational for the rest of the book of Hebrews, which continues to build the case for Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God and the perfect high priest.