Hebrews 1:13 kjv

But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Hebrews 1:13 nkjv

But to which of the angels has He ever said: "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool"?

Hebrews 1:13 niv

To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"?

Hebrews 1:13 esv

And to which of the angels has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"?

Hebrews 1:13 nlt

And God never said to any of the angels, "Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet."

Hebrews 1 verses

Hebrews 1 13 Meaning

Hebrews 1:13 emphatically asserts the singular, unparalleled superiority of Jesus Christ over all angels. It highlights His unique position of ultimate divine authority, honor, and active reign at the Father's right hand. This is a clear declaration that unlike any angelic being, Christ is the One to whom God the Father extends the ultimate invitation of co-regency, a position He holds until the definitive and complete subjugation of all His enemies. The verse underscores Christ's current, active rule and the certain future triumph over every opposing force.

Hebrews 1 13 Context

Hebrews chapter 1 serves as a profound opening argument establishing the unparalleled supremacy and unique identity of Jesus Christ. The author systematically presents Christ as superior to all previous forms of divine revelation, particularly highlighting His preeminence over angels. Verses 1-3 declare Christ's divine nature, His role in creation and redemption, and His ultimate exaltation. Verses 4-14, including our focal verse, then proceed to prove Christ's superiority to angels by contrasting prophetic statements made about the Son with those made about angels. While angels are ministering spirits, Christ is the Son, God's heir, the creator, and the one seated at God's right hand.

Historically, some Jewish traditions held angels in very high esteem, and certain groups even blurred the lines between angels and the divine. The book of Hebrews directly counters any such misconceptions, asserting Christ's ultimate deity and authority. This verse, quoting Psalm 110:1, acts as a pivotal theological declaration, demonstrating that the Davidic Messiah (Jesus) holds a unique, eternal, co-reigning position with God, a status never granted to any angel, reaffirming His sole mediatorial and sovereign role.

Hebrews 1 13 Word analysis

• But to which of the angels (πρὸς τίνα τῶν ἀγγέλων, pros tina tōn angelōn): This phrase emphasizes the exclusivity of Christ's status. It poses a rhetorical question, anticipating a negative answer: none. This highlights the vast chasm between Christ and even the highest heavenly beings. Angels (angelos) means 'messenger' or 'envoy', inherently denoting a subordinate role.
• has He ever said (εἴρηκεν, eireken): The use of the perfect tense here indicates a completed action with ongoing results. It means, "God has said and it remains said." This signifies a settled, unchanging divine decree. The direct speaker is God the Father.
• Sit at My right hand (Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, Kathou ek dexion mou):
  • Sit (Κάθου, Kathou): An imperative verb, indicating a command and invitation from God. Sitting signifies a completed work, rest from labor (His earthly ministry and atoning sacrifice), and established authority/royalty, contrasting with the 'standing' or 'ministering' role of angels.
  • at My right hand (ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, ek dexion mou): A pivotal ancient Near Eastern and biblical idiom. It signifies the position of ultimate honor, supreme authority, power, and co-regency. It implies active rule, judicial power, and divine blessing. No created being, including angels, has ever been granted this intimate and authoritative position.
• Till I make Your enemies Your footstool (ἕως θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου, heōs thō tous echthrous sou hypopodion tōn podōn sou):
  • Till (ἕως, heōs): Indicates a period of ongoing activity culminating in a decisive event. It points to a future, yet certain, fulfillment, without implying inactivity on Christ's part in the interim.
  • I make (θῶ, thō): Refers to the Father's active role in orchestrating and bringing about the complete defeat of the Son's enemies. This highlights the unified work of the Godhead in establishing Christ's dominion.
  • Your enemies (τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου, tous echthrous sou): Encompasses all powers hostile to God and His Messiah: sin, death, the Devil, demonic forces, and all human rebellion against Christ's rule.
  • Your footstool (ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου, hypopodion tōn podōn sou): A powerful ancient metaphor for absolute subjugation and total victory. In ancient Near Eastern conquest rituals, victorious kings would place their feet upon the necks or backs of defeated foes to publicly signify their complete triumph and the enemy's utter humiliation. It depicts a comprehensive and final dominion over every hostile force.

Hebrews 1 13 Bonus section

The repeated quotation of Psalm 110:1 throughout the New Testament (being the most cited Old Testament verse) underscores its critical importance for early Christian Christology. It was central to understanding Jesus' Messianic claims, His divine nature, His resurrection, ascension, and His ongoing priestly and kingly rule. This particular quotation in Hebrews is the seventh of seven Old Testament proof-texts used in chapter 1, emphasizing divine perfection in Christ's unparalleled superiority over angels. The "waiting" posture implied by "till I make" does not indicate Christ's idleness but highlights the Father's continued active work in bringing about Christ's total and final subjugation of all things, confirming the unified purpose and activity within the Trinity.

Hebrews 1 13 Commentary

Hebrews 1:13 stands as the climactic point in the author's argument for Christ's supremacy over angels, serving as the strongest evidence of His divine exaltation and royal authority. By quoting Psalm 110:1, the author demonstrates that God has conferred upon Jesus a unique, never-before-granted status: to share the very throne of divine authority. Christ's "sitting" signifies not passivity, but established sovereignty and rest from His finished redemptive work. He is currently reigning.

The phrase "Till I make Your enemies Your footstool" indicates a guaranteed future triumph, wherein God the Father will ensure the absolute defeat of every adversary—be it spiritual forces, the power of sin and death, or any form of rebellion. This "making" is God's active work on behalf of His Son, solidifying Christ's cosmic reign. It reveals an active, unfolding process culminating in Christ's complete and visible dominion. Thus, Jesus Christ is depicted as the enthroned King, exercising sovereign authority in the present age, while patiently awaiting the Father's final orchestration of all things under His feet. This verse assures believers that their King is not only exalted but is actively and infallibly bringing about the ultimate victory, guaranteeing the consummation of His kingdom and the final defeat of evil.